Swamp tour FAQs

We are located at 5145 Fleming Park Rd, Lafitte, LA 70067. It takes approximately 35 minutes to reach us in normal traffic from New Orleans. Allow 45 minutes to one hour, and you’ll be sure to be on time!

Yes, we do! If you are staying at one of the hotels in the Greater New Orleans area, Airboat Adventures will pick you up right in front of your hotel door. Transportation pick up begins 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time. Please be waiting outside your pickup location. Drivers have a short window of time to pick up all guests.

We are flexible to some extent, depending on what’s already booked when you call. See every stop on our pickup locations page.

Due to high demand, we strongly recommend reservations. If you arrive without a reservation, we will try to accommodate you to our best ability. To prevent this, it is easy to make reservations online or by phone ahead of time.

Choosing the best time for your swamp tour depends on your preferences. Our airboat tours are scheduled for 9:45 AM, 12:00 noon, 2:00 PM, and seasonally at 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. For the most visually stunning experience, we suggest the 9:45 AM or the early evening tours. These times offer softer lighting conditions, ideal for photography, without the stark contrasts of midday sunlight and shadow.

During the cooler months, from wintertime through early spring, temperatures can vary from a chilly 30 degrees (though rare) to a comfortable 75 degrees, with an average high around 64 degrees. These seasons offer pleasant touring conditions, and when the sun shines and temperatures hover in the high 60s, you might even spot alligators basking on logs.

As the summer heat sets in, be mindful of the heat and humidity, especially during midday tours. If you’re looking to avoid the more intense conditions, planning your visit in February or early March can provide a more temperate experience. As the saying goes, “The worst day in the swamp is still better than the best day behind a desk!”

There’s truly no off-season for experiencing the unique charm of Louisiana’s swamps. The most enchanting periods, however, are April, late October, and early November, when good weather is almost guaranteed.

During winter, the dense summer foliage recedes, making it easier to see wildlife such as nutria and deer, along with migratory birds including waterfowl and bald eagles. Alligator sightings become scarce below 70 degrees, but they can still be spotted basking on warmer winter days.

If you’re also exploring the city, consider lining your tour up with New Orleans’ big events: New Year’s and the Sugar Bowl in early January, Mardi Gras in early spring, and French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest in late spring. July and August are hotter, but hotel deals become more attractive.

Comfortable, casual attire based on weather conditions is recommended. Keep in mind, it is often cooler in a moving airboat.

Sunscreen and sunglasses (the Louisiana sun can be strong, even on cloudy days), bottled water to stay hydrated, insect repellent in the warmer months, comfortable clothing and footwear, and a camera or phone for the wildlife and scenery.

We also sell drinks and snacks onsite, with a bar at our facility before or after your tour.

Alligators can be seen year-round depending on the weather. On most sunny days above 65 degrees, alligators can be seen. But they are in the wild, and no animal sightings are guaranteed.

No! In fact, we only use insect repellent perhaps once a year. The whirligigs, dragonflies and other predaceous insects do a great job of keeping the mosquito population down.

Like most Louisiana boys, each began hunting and fishing at an early age, and each has a deep love and appreciation of this unique environment. All of them are expert airboat captains certified by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Our small airboat offers a more intimate tour with your guide and can move faster down some of the narrower canals in the swamp. We offer both premium small airboats (up to 6 passengers) and regular small airboats (up to 10 passengers).

Our large airboat does not feel as crowded and is more suited for larger groups and parties. Large airboats hold up to 30 passengers.

Airboat tours are fast, thrilling, and great for small groups or families who want an up-close, exciting ride. Airboats glide across shallow water and reach areas larger boats can’t.

Pontoon tours are slower, smooth, and fully covered for shade: ideal for larger groups, kids, or anyone who prefers a relaxed pace. They’re wheelchair and stroller friendly, and service animals with documentation are allowed. Still not sure? Give us a call and we’ll help you decide.

Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, or anyone with neck or back injuries are not allowed on airboats. You must also be able to board the airboat without our assistance.

The covered pontoon boat, on the other hand, is suitable for all ages, including young children and seniors. It is wheelchair and stroller friendly.

Pets are not allowed on the airboats or covered swamp tour boats due to the noise and for safety reasons. Hearing protection is provided for guests, but airboat engines are extremely loud and can harm a pet’s hearing, and small animals on board can attract wildlife such as alligators.

Service animals are only permitted on pontoon boats with proof of documentation. Emotional support animals and pets are not permitted on any tours, boarding facilities are not available onsite, and we ask guests not to leave pets in vehicles.

Yes! We offer snacks and drinks for purchase onsite, including beverages from our full bayou bar before or after your tour. You’re also welcome to bring your own snacks aboard. We recommend bottled water, especially in the summer heat.

Outside alcohol is not permitted. Only drinks purchased from our onsite bar are allowed on the airboats or pontoon tours.

Restrooms are available at our dock before and after your tour, near the gift shop and boarding area. There are no restroom stops during the ride itself, so we strongly recommend using the facilities before boarding.

Book online with any Book button on this site, or give us a call at 504-689-2005. We accept most major credit cards.

Without Trip Protection: reservations made within 24 hours of your tour time are final, and no changes or cancellations can be made within this window. No-shows are non-refundable. There is a 3% credit card surcharge on all credit card payments, which is non-refundable, and refunds for eligible cancellations may take 7–10 business days to process.

With Trip Protection (recommended): for 10% of your booking total, you can reschedule or cancel up to 1 hour before your departure. Cancellation requests must be sent in writing to cancellations@airboatadventures.com no later than 1 hour before tour time. The Trip Protection fee (10%) and credit card processing fee (3%) are non-refundable, only one reschedule is permitted per booking, and Trip Protection applies only to the original reservation date and time.

Our swamp tours operate rain or shine. Guest safety is our top priority, so if there is lightning, severe weather, or unsafe conditions, we may need to delay or cancel the tour.

If we must cancel due to weather, we’ll contact you directly to reschedule or give you a full refund. Light rain is common in the bayou, and our captains are experienced in changing conditions.

Tipping your guide is not required, but it’s always greatly appreciated. Guides accept cash, digital tips via Venmo, Cash App or similar apps, and credit card tips. There is an ATM onsite, and every tip goes directly to your captain.

Absolutely! Private swamp tours are available for birthdays, engagements, bachelor or bachelorette parties, family reunions, and corporate groups, with exclusive boat access, flexible departure times, and photo or video add-ons. See our private tours page or contact the office for pricing.