Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans
New Orleans, United States

Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans

Outty Ranking 63 5.0 · 54 traveler reviews9 hoursFrom $1,395
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Outty Ranking

63/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 54 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans worth booking?

Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans is a 9-hour experience in New Orleans, United States, from $1,395 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 54 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
63 / 100
Rating
5/5 (54)
Duration
9 hours
From
$1,395 per person

A grand mélange of Cajun and Creole cultures for private groups of up to 12, starting with a private airboat tour of the cypress swamps. Visit Laura, a Creole Plantation and explore her historic slave quarters surrounded by sugar cane fields. Enjoy an elegant seated lunch at Houmas House plantation, followed by a guided tour of this grand mansion.

What you get

    About this experience

    A grand mélange of Cajun and Creole cultures for private groups of up to 12, starting with a private airboat tour of the cypress swamps. Visit Laura, a Creole Plantation and explore her historic slave quarters surrounded by sugar cane fields. Enjoy an elegant seated lunch at Houmas House plantation, followed by a guided tour of this grand mansion.

    What's included

    Included

    • Roundtrip private transportation with professional guide
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Lunch at Houmas House plantation
    • Guided tour of Houmas House Plantation
    • Narrated private airboat tour
    • Guided tour of Laura Plantation

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Luling

      You'll start your day driving out to Cajun Country, where you'll go through wild cypress swamps, over the Mississippi River on an impressive suspended bridge, and along vast sugarcane fields, as the guide tells a unique story of the odyssey of the Cajun people. Next you'll take a narrated private airboat tour (about 1.5 hours) on winding bayous in remote cypress swamps. Your High-Speed Airboat provides a thrilling ride as you comfortably glide over marshes and into deep, secluded bayous. Your Cajun guide, also an alligator hunter and fur trapper, will share his knowledge of the swamp including reptile habits, healing plants and exotic birds. After this peaceful ride, explore his picturesque swamp zoo on Bayou Boeuf.

      120 minutes here

    2. Laura Plantation: Louisiana's Creole Heritage Site

      Next visit Laura, a Creole Plantation and her historic slave quarters surrounded by sugar cane fields. The guided tour (may be non-private) transports you with dramatic detail into the charmed yet tragic lives of four generations of Creole owners and their slaves.

      90 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Houmas House and Gardens

      After a short drive from Laura Plantation, you'll settle into a seated lunch in Houmas House' elegant dining room. After lunch, walk through the 250 year history of this estate and how a succession of owners and the Mississippi River grew this modest manor house into the estate it is today. A collection of art, furniture, and antique artifacts help tell the story of plantation life. 38 acres of gardens surround the mansion.

      180 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 14 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Tours by Isabelle

    Know before you go

    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Service animals are permitted. Please advise at time of booking to arrange accommodations
    • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking in the special requirements field
    • Tour operates in all weather conditions. Umbrellas are available for use if guests forget their own. If a tour cannot operate due to inclement weather you will be notified
    • Due to the nature of the airboat, children under the age of 5, pregnant women, people with back or neck issues or recent surgeries are not allowed to participate in the airboat portion of the tour.

    Photos

    Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans, photo 2Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans, photo 3Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans, photo 4Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans, photo 5Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans, photo 6Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 54 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    9 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    7 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Small groups

    2 mentions

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Traveler reviews

    54 verified traveler reviews for Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    53
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    G9371EJkathleena · September 2026

    Wonderful personalized tour

    Tours with Isabelle was outstanding!! We enjoyed that it was very personalized and that she accommodated our small group. We were able to do one airboat with our group of 6. The airboat ride was hands down the best swamp tour we have ever been on. Isabelle was able to share the history of the City of New Orleans and state of Louisiana with us on the bus ride to and from. She also drove us by several plantations on the River Rd and shared history on each. We spent time at the Whitney Plantation, where everything was very well organized and gave a true glimpse into the tragic history of slavery and the plantation life. We had a wonderful time, with a very personalized experience from Isabelle. She was an extreme wealth of knowledge about this history and knowledge of the area.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for this wonderfully detailed review, I am so happy we were able to do this special combination swamp & Whitney Plantation tour for your little group! Please come back to visit NOLA very soon. Cordially, Isabelle C.

    via Tripadvisor

    43dougm · June 2026

    Private airboat Tour

    Very friendly and knowledgeable people, great informative tour,really enjoyed!

    via Tripadvisor

    AnneR70 · October 2024

    First rate tour!

    First rate tour that begins with being picked up at the hotel. Steve, our tour guide provided a wealth of information about the city of New Orleans as well as about the history of Louisiana. Fun time on the swamp tour including meeting some of the alligators! Yes, they all have names. Great and informative tour guides at both of the plantations. Enjoyed sampling southern cuisine at the lunch buffet that was included. A must tour for anyone traveling to New Orleans. You will not be disappointed!

    via Tripadvisor

    Wanderer778522 · December 2023

    Fun and Historically Accurate

    We’ve used Isabelle Tours for the last 15 years and her tours AND tour guides are fabulous - John was excellent, knowledgeable and fun to be with. You can’t go wrong.

    via Tripadvisor

    Freedom625356 · November 2023

    Easy, informative, entertaining, fun and wonderful

    What an amazing experience! This was so worth every moment. Our guide, Gisèle was so informative and so kind. I would do this whole thing again just to hang out with her. We really had the best time and it was worth every moment. I. So happy we booked this experience.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    9 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $1,395 to $2,790
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    19
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Tours by Isabelle, who run 10 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 64.8.

    See everything Tours by Isabelle runs

    Why this scores 63

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)94
    Review evidence (18% weight)47
    Booking momentum (14% weight)40
    Value for money (12% weight)0
    Listing quality (10% weight)67
    Local standing (8% weight)78
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New Orleans.

    How much does Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans cost?

    +

    Prices start at $1,395 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 Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans take?

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    Plan for about 9 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 Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 54 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 Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch 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 Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans?

    +

    Around 19 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 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans start and how do I get there?

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    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 Garden District History Walking Tour, New Orleans Adults-Only True Crime and Ghost Walking 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.

    What is included in Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans?

    +

    Included: Roundtrip private transportation with professional guide; Hotel pickup and drop-off; Lunch at Houmas House plantation; Guided tour of Houmas House Plantation; and Narrated private airboat tour. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 10 listed pickup locations in and around New Orleans. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans offered in?

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    It is offered in English, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Due to the nature of the airboat, children under the age of 5, pregnant women, people with. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Private Airboat Ride and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans?

    +

    Across 54 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, value for money. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

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