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New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Sightseeing Tour with Transportation
Badge of ExcellenceNew Orleans, USA
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Overview
What's Included
- Narrated boat cruise
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Local guide
- Gratuities
- Snacks and refreshments available for purchase on boat
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Gray Line New Orleans400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Gray Line Lighthouse on the Steamboat NATCHEZ dock (Toulouse Street at the Mississippi River)
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Choose a morning or afternoon pickup from the French Quarter and climb aboard your coach for the ride deep into Cajun country. Watch the changing scenery as the cityscape transitions into expansive wetlands. Your coach delivers you to the launch point across the Mississippi River, where you’ll transfer to an open‐sided, covered boat and set off on the fun and educational ride.
Your native guide will take you on a wildlife‐spotting expedition through this legendary Louisiana terrain. Glide along the water, viewing the lush greenery and abundant local wildlife, including nesting alligators, egrets, raccoons, snakes, and giant nutria. Some wildlife are more easily spotted during the warmer months of the year. Get great photos and learn about the history and mystery of the swamps, including the culture and ingenuity of the Cajun people who have populated this region for almost 250 years. Your guides will share stories about Cajun music, bayou lifestyle, and culinary traditions — like the creation of Louisiana’s signature gumbo, as well as information about the region’s passionate efforts to preserve the wetlands.
Your coach returns to the French Quarter by mid‐afternoon or evening.
Your native guide will take you on a wildlife‐spotting expedition through this legendary Louisiana terrain. Glide along the water, viewing the lush greenery and abundant local wildlife, including nesting alligators, egrets, raccoons, snakes, and giant nutria. Some wildlife are more easily spotted during the warmer months of the year. Get great photos and learn about the history and mystery of the swamps, including the culture and ingenuity of the Cajun people who have populated this region for almost 250 years. Your guides will share stories about Cajun music, bayou lifestyle, and culinary traditions — like the creation of Louisiana’s signature gumbo, as well as information about the region’s passionate efforts to preserve the wetlands.
Your coach returns to the French Quarter by mid‐afternoon or evening.
Barataria Preserve (Pass By)
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (Pass By)
Adventures of Jean Lafitte
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 3 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability
- Infants must sit on laps
- Wheelchair accessible
- Tour vehicles are equipped for wheelchair storage. If wheelchairs collapse and fold, they can be placed in the storage compartment on the bus
- Electrical wheelchairs are permitted, but special arrangements need to be made with the supplier for a handicap-accessible bus. This must be arranged 72 hours prior to tour date. Contact details will be on your voucher.
- Unfortunately, electrical scooters are not permitted
Frequently Asked Questions (9)
Q:What is the departure point for the Swamp and Bayou Sightseeing Boat Tour with Transportation from New Orleans?
A:The tour begins at the Gray Line "Lighthouse" Ticket Office in the French Quarter at Toulouse Street & the Mississippi River - at the Steamboat Natchez Dock (400 Toulouse Street.)
Jun 2021
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Featured review
Kim_L
We had a great time. Our bus driver was funny and an excellent driver and everything along the way was coordinated well to make things easy for us. The boat captain was very informative and gave everyone a change to see the alligators. We highly recommend this tour to all ages and abilities.
Reviews
4.3
1,265 reviews
Michelle_S, Nov 2024
The worst experience me and my family experienced. Requesting a full refund. Viator never explained or informed us that November is the start of hibernation for alligators and other wildlife in the swamp
Response from Host, Nov 2024
The alligators are not as prominent in the very cold weather, which is not what we have experienced recently. The other animals and birds are still prevalent and it is hard to understand that you did not see any animals on your specific tour. We cannot control the wild animals but can apologize if you did not enjoy your tour. We are monitoring other tour sightings.
Charlotte_C, Nov 2024
It was a family occasion and experiencing to together to see the excitement on everyone’s faces when we spotted an alligator was great. Weather was perfect
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thanks so much for sharing your family experience.
Sigrid_R, Nov 2024
Never felt so tourist trapped in my life as when we were herded into the corral to wait for the boat trip and then being droved onto the different boats. Booked a regular boat to avoid the noise of an airboat, only to be surrounded by airboats. When we got some quiet from the airboats, our guide turned up the music volume on cackling loudspeakers, and sometimes did some guiding in an accent very difficult to understand for non southerners or tourists from abroad. The gators were fed with marshmallows on a stick, very peculiar, might as well go to a zoo. I’m so thankful we’ve been to eco-friendly swamp and gator tours in the Everglades that wasn’t this tacky, touristy and tedious.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
There is very little we can say about regional accents. Airboats are allowed in that area and if they were disturbing we will certainly reach out to the companies to remind them of the guests that take the flat bottomed boats for the quiet factor.
Tasha_D, Oct 2024
We were able to see 4 alligators when I that we would only see about 1. The tour guide was funny and answered all questions. Overall I enjoyed and will be going again.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Come back again soon. Each tour is different based on the weather, time of year and crew.
Brittany_M, Oct 2024
The New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Sightseeing Tour was an awesome experience. It starts with an easy riverside bus pickup from the French Quarter and a scenic 30-45 minute drive into Cajun country. The boat pick-up location has a gift shop, restrooms, and an outdoor bar for refreshments. The boat ride through the Barataria Preserve was serene, with sightings of alligators, other wildlife, and the bayou that inspired Disney's "The Princess and the Frog"! The tour was well thought-out and informative, offering a real look at Louisiana’s wetlands. From our friendly bus driver Alton to the knowledgeable boat captain, everything was well-organized. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Your high recommendation is exactly what we what we hope to instill from our guests. BTW, look at the Steamboat NATCHEZ next time you are in town. It is the model for the Princess movie Riverboat.
Bethanne_M, Oct 2024
my kids loved it! lots of gators! and the guides were fabulous with a lot of information and stories. great tour
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Gators and more Gators....just the way to view the bayous and swamplands. Thank you
Laura_F, Sep 2024
The tour was great! The scenery was beautiful. We saw birds and lots of alligators! The alligators are really cool! Our tour guide was knowledgable. Definitely recommend!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Recommendations mean so much to our guides and our staff. Thank you.
Pam_A, Sep 2024
So much beauty, Captain Tik Tok was entertaining and informative!!! The gators were awesome to see! Definitely something to see don’t miss it!!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thanks so much Pam!
danielle_w, Sep 2024
This was a great tour. Starting with our bus driver. Gave lots recommendation of places to see and places to eat and some history. Our swamp guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Would def recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Please recommend to friends and family.....and even total strangers! Recommendations mean so much to our staff.
Heather_T, Sep 2024
Fantastic trip that we'll never forget. Our guide was wonderful and extremely knowledgeable. We loved seeing the alligators and racoons, and the beauty of the swamps was incredible. Can't recommend enough.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Your high recommendation is appreciated by our staff and the swamp guide as well. Thank you.
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From $65.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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