Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 428 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans worth booking?
Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans is a 1.8-hour experience in New Orleans, United States, from $59 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 428 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 67 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (428)
- Duration
- 1.8 hours
- From
- $59 per person
Take a thrilling airboat ride through the wetlands near New Orleans and plenty of alligators on this active, family-friendly tour. Travel over bayous and open waterways around the colorful, historic fishing village of Je
What you get
About this experience
Take a thrilling airboat ride through the wetlands near New Orleans and plenty of alligators on this active, family-friendly tour. Travel over bayous and open waterways around the colorful, historic fishing village of Jean Lafitte, named after a 19th-century smuggler. Spy alligators in the wild -- as well as raccoons, native birds and large river rodents called nutria -- as your native guide provides commentary. This tour is an easy way to get out and experience the rich natural landscape around New Orleans.
What's included
Included
- Native guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- 1 hour 45 minute airboat ride
- Albino alligator exhibit
Not included
- Food and drinks (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
- Self drive tour departs from 5145 Fleming Park Road, Lafitte, LA 70067
- Transportation not included with the self drive tour option.
What you'll see and do
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Travel by air-conditioned coach from central New Orleans to the nearby fishing village of Jean Lafitte, named after an 18th-century smuggler. Home to a variety of diverse cultures, this area surrounded by Lousiana bayous has been the site of extensive logging operations, sugar and rice plantations and animal trapping enterprises over the years. Today, the people's simple way of life is a marked contrast to the hustle-bustle of New Orleans.
Pass by without stopping
Barataria Preserve
You will travel through the Barataria Preserve, part of the Jean Lafitte National Park & Preserve system. The preserve offers a taste of Louisiana's wild wetlands, protecting 23,000 acres of bayous, swamps, marshes and forests.
Pass by without stopping
In Jean Lafitte, you can get some snacks (own expense) and check out an albino alligator exhibit before boarding your airboat, a vessel that relies on an aircraft-type propeller mounted on its back to move it forward. Feel the wind in your hair as your move swiftly over the wetlands. Your native boat captain will talk about the history and culture of the area and point out wildlife as you travel. See lots of alligators lurking in the marshes, as well as local birds, raccoons and nutria -- giant river rodents that call the bayous home. Conclude your family-friendly escape to the Louisiana wetlands with coach transport back to central New Orleans.
90 minutes here · Admission included
New Orleans
From New Orleans
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New Orleans
*SELF-DRIVE - NO TRANSPORTATION INCLUDED* Upon arrival, you’ll find free parking on-site and a check-in area near the dock. Look for signs for the swamp tour or the main office building, where staff will assist you and give you a wristband with your boat number.
Meeting point
New Orleans
*TOUR - WITH TRANSPORTATION* Gray Line Lighthouse on the Steamboat NATCHEZ dock (Toulouse Street at the Mississippi River)
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
*SELF-DRIVE - NO TRANSPORTATION INCLUDED* Upon arrival, you’ll find free parking on-site and a check-in area near the dock. Look for signs for the swamp tour or the main office building, where staff will assist you and give you a wristband with your boat number.
Ends at
*TOUR - WITH TRANSPORTATION* Gray Line Lighthouse on the Steamboat NATCHEZ dock (Toulouse Street at the Mississippi River)
Options you can book
Small Airboat - Transportation
Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes Small Airboat Tour: Small Airboat Tour with Round-Trip Transport from New Orleans. Small Airboat carries 6 to 8 guests. Transportation Included: Includes Round-Trip Transport from New Orleans. Starting point: Gray Line New Orleans, 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Large Boat - NO Transportation
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Large Airboat Tour: Large Airboat carries 15 to 30 guests. Self Drive - NO Transportation: The tour meets at 5145 Fleming Road, Lafitte, LA 70067. Starting point: 5145 Fleming Park Rd, Lafitte, LA 70067, USA
Small Boat - NO Transportation
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Small Airboat Tour: Small Airboat carries 6 to 8 guests. Self Drive - NO Transportation: The tour meets at 5145 Fleming Road, Lafitte, LA 70067. Starting point: 5145 Fleming Park Rd, Lafitte, LA 70067, USA
Large Airboat - Transportation
Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes Large Airboat Tour: Large Airboat Tour with Round-Trip Transport from New Orleans. Large Airboat carries 15 to 30 guests. Transportation Included: Includes Round-Trip Transport from New Orleans. Starting point: Gray Line New Orleans, 400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Gray Line New Orleans
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- In case of inclement weather, the tour may be shortened, postponed or replaced with a similar tour on a covered boat
- Minimum age is 5 years
- Sunglasses are recommended. Please note that you are on an air-boat and may get wet.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 428 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
4 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
428 verified traveler reviews for Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Well Worth It
We had large group and all of us agreed that it was a wonderful experience. I appreciate that we needed to push our original reservations to the next day and it was an easy process. Customer service was very accommodating. Easy transportation by bus to the preserve and back was the best way to get there. Capt Larry was wonderful and entertaining on our trip. He was so informative and it was an up close experience with the alligators. We saw multiple alligators in every cove he took us. It was a great day on the water!
via Tripadvisor
A must do experience
I think this is a must do if you are visiting New Orleans. So many alligators and other wildlife as well. Mark, our guide was exceptional with his stories and explanations.
via Tripadvisor
A must do in New Orleans
Very interesting, quite amazing. Guide Mark was very experienced, very eligible and showed us other animals from the alligators.
via Viator
Airboat Swamp Tour…what a thrill!
Well worth the money! The experience of feeding the gators was incredibly thrilling and seeing them up close and personal was awesome! Our pilot/tour guide/“official wefie photographer “ Tok, was absolutely fun and entertaining. Would recommend this tour to anybody who is not faint of heart hahaha
via Viator
Great Time
Great Experience! Alligators were plentiful and airboat ride was fun! Our Captain Larry was amazing!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $59 to $144
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 150
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 67
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New Orleans.
How much does Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans cost?
+
Prices start at $59 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New Orleans usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans take?
+
Plan for about 1.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New Orleans is not rushed.
Is Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 428 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New Orleans, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans?
+
Around 150 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New Orleans can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New Orleans and add a light layer if any part of the 1.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New Orleans within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New Orleans?
+
New Orleans runs on licensed guides, and it shows: the city requires certification for tour guides, so the floor is higher here than most US cities. Ghost and cemetery walks, French Quarter food crawls, plantation history day trips and swamp boat runs make up the bulk. We rank on whether the operator handles cemetery access properly, since St. Louis No. 1 needs an authorised guide. On Outty we rank every New Orleans experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation, New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure, New Orleans Self-Transport Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New Orleans?
+
February to May and October to November. August is heat and storm season. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New Orleans?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Airboat Ride with Optional Transportation from New Orleans.
Pick your date
