There are tons of enjoyable issues to do in New Orleans, however there are additionally loads of nice choices for day journeys exterior of the town. Whilst you’re there, be sure you take a look at a swamp tour in New Orleans.
For the reason that metropolis is situated within the Mississippi Delta, it doesn’t take too lengthy to get to a swamp from NOLA. In truth, many individuals add a swap tour to their itinerary even when they’ve simply 3 days in New Orleans.
In simply half-hour, you’ll find your self out within the Bayou surrounded by gators. Who is aware of — perhaps you’ll even spot the elusive Honey Island Swamp Monster!
There are a number of totally different choices to select from for visiting a New Orleans swamp.
On this information, we’ll take a better take a look at these swamp excursions and I’ll offer you some suggestions for one of the best firms to go together with.
What To Anticipate On a New Orleans Swamp Tour
To start with, let’s discuss the place a swamp tour in New Orleans usually goes.
Some head north of the town to the Honey Island Swamp, some go south to the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, and others head west to Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
All of those New Orleans swamps are reached in simply 30 – 45 minutes from the French Quarter.
The most well-liked swamp excursions in New Orleans are by boat.
There are massive swamp boats, that are most likely the preferred selection. For those who favor a bit extra pleasure, you possibly can go on an airboat as an alternative.
Or maybe you’d moderately benefit from the swamp at a leisurely tempo and paddle your self round in a canoe or kayak.
Whichever kind of tour you select, you’ll get to discover the swamp and be taught all in regards to the atmosphere out of your educated information.
What Animals Will You See on a Swamp Tour?
A significant spotlight of a swamp tour in New Orleans is getting up shut and private with the creatures of the swamp, corresponding to wild boars, egrets, herons, turtles, and alligators.
In the course of the fall and winter months, lots of the cold-blooded animals hibernate. For those who’re actually hoping to see alligators in your swamp tour in New Orleans, it’s best to attempt to go to the town in spring or summer time.
Some tour operators say they’ll nonetheless discover alligators in winter, however there’s no assure.
How Lengthy Are New Orleans Swamp Excursions?
Swamp excursions usually happen through the day and final round 2 hours. There are further excursions at evening on weekends in the summertime months as properly.
When reserving a swamp tour in New Orleans, you normally have the choice of getting your self there or including pick-up service out of your lodging for a further price.
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What To Put on and Carry On a Swamp Tour
For those who’re questioning what to put on on a swamp tour in New Orleans, all of it depends upon the climate forecast and which kind of tour you’re happening. You must at all times convey a poncho or raincoat, as there’s a superb probability you’ll get slightly moist on the market.
On a scorching and sunny day, you’ll undoubtedly wish to put on comfy garments like a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals.
Don’t overlook to pack some sunscreen, sun shades, and a hat as properly. It’s not a foul thought to pack a lightweight jacket, both, particularly in the event you’re happening an airboat tour.
Within the winter months, it’s best to most likely put on pants and produce a thicker jacket. Typically, it’s a good suggestion to put on gentle clothes and simply placed on just a few layers if it’s a bit colder out.
Whichever kind of tour you go on, convey alongside some bug spray. There are undoubtedly bugs within the New Orleans swamp and also you don’t need them ruining your tour!
You’ll most likely wish to doc this superior expertise, however ensure your gadget is protected. Which means taking some form of waterproof bag in your telephone or simply bringing a water-proof digicam with you.
One factor it’s best to undoubtedly depart behind is any costly jewellery. For those who drop it within the swamp there’s a superb probability that you just’re not going to seek out it.
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Numerous Kinds of Swamp Excursions
Now that you realize a bit about what to anticipate, let’s check out the totally different sorts of swamp excursions in New Orleans that you could select from:
Swamp Boat
Taking a swamp boat tour is a basic Louisiana expertise. That is a straightforward and inexpensive choice for a swamp tour in New Orleans. It’s doable to rearrange a ship tour that features lodge pick-up for simply over $40.
Most swamp boats maintain between 20-30 folks. Lots of the businesses even have smaller boats that they use for personal swamp excursions, however these are clearly a bit dearer.
They transfer by way of the swamp at a leisurely tempo, which is nice for wildlife recognizing. Alongside the best way, you’ll be taught all in regards to the atmosphere and its inhabitants out of your information.
By Airboat
For those who’re searching for a extra exhilarating journey, you possibly can go for an airboat swamp tour in New Orleans. These boats are propelled by an enormous fan on the again they usually can get cruising over 35 mph (53km)!
Along with greater speeds, the airboats may entry areas of the swamp the place the standard boats can’t. Due to their smaller measurement, they’ll enterprise deeper into the swamp.
Airboats normally seat between 10-15 folks. Taking an airboat tour with lodge pick-up usually runs about $75. You even have the choice of paying a bit extra to go on a smaller boat.
Whereas these excursions are undoubtedly quite a lot of enjoyable, they’re not beneficial for everybody. Pregnant girls and really younger kids shouldn’t go on airboat excursions. It’s additionally not a good suggestion in case you have any again or neck points.
By Canoe/Kayak
An amazing choice for taking a swamp tour in New Orleans whereas getting some train is by paddling a canoe or kayak. This lets you get deeper into the swamps and bayous than any of the boat excursions.
Canoe and kayak excursions usually have between 2-10 folks. These enjoyable excursions of the New Orleans swamp normally run 2-3 hours and are each enjoyable and academic.
Occurring a canoe or kayak tour prices a bit greater than going by swamp boat however lower than the airboat. Typical costs are round $60 for adults and $40 for kids. Click here for one of the best kayak tour of the Bayou.
Mountain climbing
In case you have your personal wheels, you possibly can at all times discover the swampland round New Orleans on foot. Simply head to the Barataria Protect that’s situated within the Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park and Protect.
There’s a Customer Heart on the protect the place you possibly can take a look at an exhibit in regards to the swamp and decide up a map to go on a self-guided tour. You possibly can learn all in regards to the totally different path choices on their website.
In addition they have free strolling excursions given by a ranger at 10 AM from Wednesday to Sunday. That is the right choice for these trying to slot in a swamp tour in New Orleans on a finances.
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7 Greatest Swamp Excursions in New Orleans
Right here’s a take a look at a number of the finest swamp excursions out there in New Orleans, together with related information corresponding to tour occasions and value:
1. Cajun Encounters
- TripAdvisor Ranking: 4.5/5
- Price: Decide-up included $59 adults, $37.50 kids; self-transport $31.50 adults, $20.50 kids
- Tour occasions: 7:30, 9:30, 12:15, 2:45, 5:00pm is seasonal)
- How one can e book: On-line
- Location: 941 Decatur St #101
That is undoubtedly the most effective swamp excursions in New Orleans. Cajun Encounters brings you to the well-known Honey Island Swamp for a tour you’ll always remember.
Cajun Encounters has just a few totally different choices for exploring the New Orleans swamp. Their commonplace tour lasts two hours aboard a 22-passenger boat. In addition they have a smaller boat for his or her VIP excursions which solely matches 8-10 and might entry extra slim waterways.
From Might to September, you even have the choice of becoming a member of a sundown swamp tour. The wildlife actually comes out when the solar goes down, making for an unbelievable expertise.
2. Louisiana Tour Firm
- TripAdvisor Ranking: 4.5/5
- Price: Airboat Tour $47.20
- Tour occasions: 9:40, 12:10, 2:10, & 4:15 (Seasonal)
- How one can e book: Online or by telephone at 504-689-3599
- Location: 9706 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA
Lousiana Tour Firm is one other identify that comes beneficial. For those who’re trying to go on an awesome swamp tour in New Orleans, they’ve acquired you lined with each swamp and airboat tours. Louisiana Tour Firm provides a small group tour which is nice.
Their excursions function out of Marrero, which is only a 35-minute drive from the French Quarter.
Simply throughout from their dock is a 200-year-old cemetery that’s situated round an historic Native American burial mound. You’ll undoubtedly hear some attention-grabbing tales in regards to the space in the event you join a New Orleans swamp tour with them.
You even have the choice of reserving a mix tour. Select between the Oak Alley or Destrehan plantation to go together with your swamp tour in New Orleans.
It’s also possible to be part of their informative metropolis tour earlier than heading to the swamp to make for an awesome day within the Huge Straightforward. For airboat excursions, click here, or if you wish to go to the plantation and the swamp click here to be taught extra and to e book your tour on-line.
3. New Orleans Kayak Swamp Excursions
- TripAdvisor Ranking: 5/5
- Price: $59 for Manchac Swamp
- Tour occasions: Manchac Tour runs at 10:15 and 1:00pm
- How one can e book: Online
- Location: They run excursions in Manchac Swamp. Shuttle service is on the market.
For those who’d moderately discover the New Orleans swamp at a extra leisurely tempo, why not be part of a kayak tour? The group at Wild Louisiana Excursions have to be doing one thing proper, as they’ve an ideal score on each TripAdvisor and Google!
The two-3 hour paddle is a straightforward one that everybody can get pleasure from. With the slow-moving bayou, it’s a calming kayak journey crammed with data, nature and wildlife. No expertise is critical. Click here for extra data and to e book your New Orleans swamp tour.
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4. Jean Lafitte Swamp Excursions
- TripAdvisor Ranking: 4.5/5
- Price: Swamp Tour $29 adults, $12 kids; Airboat Tour $65 per individual for a big boat or $85 for small; choice so as to add round-trip transportation and/or lunch for an additional price
- Tour occasions: 10, 12, 2, and 4
- How one can e book: Online
- Location: 6601 Leo Kerner Lafitte Pkwy, Marrero, LA
For those who’re touring with children and have your personal car, it’s exhausting to high the superb worth supplied by Jean Lafitte Swamp Excursions.
Youngsters ages 0-3 are completely free and children from 3-12 can be part of a swamp boat tour for simply $12. For those who’re contemplating selecting up the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass, you’ll be comfortable to listen to that their boat tour is included!
They even welcome college teams and have a picnic space, making this an awesome choice for area journeys. Forgot to convey a bag lunch? No worries! These guys even have the choice of including on lunch at Restaurant Des Familles.
This Cajun-Creole eatery options nice views of the bayou and loads of well-known New Orleans dishes on the menu.
Along with their basic swamp boat excursions, in addition they have airboat choices out there right here. Powered by Chevy 454, 450 horsepower engines, these airboats will take you deep into the bayou for an unforgettable journey. Be taught extra about this NOLA swamp tour here.
5. Cajun Satisfaction
- TripAdvisor Ranking: 4.5/5
- Price: Swamp boat $27 for adults with pick-up service
- Tour occasions: 9:30, 12, 2:15 year-round; 4:15 from March 1 to October 1
- How one can e book: Online
- Location: 110 Frenier Rd, Laplace, LA
If you wish to be taught the distinction between crocodiles, alligators, and caymans, ensure to join a swamp tour in New Orleans with Cajun Satisfaction! Their guides are recognized to be very knowledgable and humorous, which solely provides to the expertise.
One factor that units these guys other than different New Orleans swamp excursions is that they really have their very own personal swamp. The wildlife is protected right here so the animals aren’t shy.
As with many different operators, Cajun Satisfaction provides you the choice to e book a mix swamp + plantation tour.
You possibly can select to go to both Laura or Oak Alley plantation along with testing the New Orleans swamp. These excursions depart at 10:30 and return round 6, with tickets costing $89 for adults and $55 for kids.
To be taught extra in regards to the $27 tour with Cajan Satisfaction (and to e book tickets), click here.
6. Airboat Adventures
- TripAdvisor Ranking: 4.5/5
- Price: Massive boat $55; $20 further for round-trip transport
- Tour occasions: 9:45, 12, and a pair of (year-round), 4 & 6 (seasonal)
- How one can e book: Online or by telephone at 504-689-2005
- Location: 5145 Fleming Park Rd, Lafitte, LA
In terms of airboat swamp excursions in New Orleans, Airboat Adventures is certainly the most effective decisions. They’re situated simply minutes from the Jean Lafitte Nationwide Historic Park and Protect so that you could be out within the swamp in underneath an hour from the town middle.
Their small boats maintain 6-8 passengers whereas the bigger ones can match 15-30. The additional price for a small boat tour is value it for a extra up shut and private expertise and the power to entry exhausting to succeed in areas within the swamp.
Earlier than you embark on their tour, you possibly can calm down of their good air-conditioned constructing that has a present store together with drinks and snacks for buy. Benefit from the views from their out of doors patio, and be sure you meet Sugar – their uncommon albino alligator!
7. Canoe & Path Adventures
- TripAdvisor Ranking: 5/5
- Price: Manchac Swamp and Moonlight Paddle excursions price $59 for adults and $49 for kids; round-trip transport $20
- Tour occasions: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10 AM
- How one can e book: Online or by telephone at 504-233-0686
- Location: Click here for full instructions as GPS doesn’t work
For an eco-friendly tour of the New Orleans swamp, look no additional than Canoe & Path Adventures. They’ve been working excursions right here since 1972 and handle to retain an ideal score, so you realize you’re in good fingers right here.
Their basic kayak tour lasts for 3 hours and goes at a really laid-back tempo. They supply all of the tools plus waterproof luggage and instances in your telephone or digicam at no further price.
Alongside the best way, you’ll get to benefit from the surroundings of cypress timber lined in Spanish Moss when you spot wildlife.
They’ve a number of the most certified and passionate guides round who will guarantee you could have an superior time. In addition they run moonlight paddle excursions by request if you wish to see what the swamp seems to be like at evening!
That is one of the best New Orleans swamp tour for individuals who wish to get energetic whereas seeing the wildlife. For my part, it’s additionally one of the best bayou tour since you get deeper into the swamps the place different boats can’t go.
Prepared for the Swamp?
As you possibly can see, you’ve acquired plenty of incredible choices for taking a swamp tour in New Orleans. Whether or not you resolve to paddle your self round in a kayak, hop on a swamp boat with a giant group, or zip by way of the bayou on an airboat, you’re positive to have an awesome expertise.
For those who’re heading to the Crescent Metropolis, be sure you add a swamp tour to your record of issues to do! It’s enjoyable partying on Bourbon Road and all, but it surely’s even higher after a day of exploring the swamp and studying about all of the superb wildlife that calls it residence.
So, are New Orleans swamp excursions value it? Completely! The worth for cash is superb and the expertise is one you received’t overlook.
Have you ever been on a New Orleans swamp tour earlier than? In case you have any ideas or suggestions, go forward and depart a remark beneath.
Some pictures on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
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