Paddle a beginner-friendly bayou near the French Quarter with flexible single or tandem rentals.
Up to 3 hours
Explore Bayou Bienvenue on a self-guided paddle and see New Orleans marsh scenery and wildlife. Choose single or tandem kayaks for a relaxed, beginner-friendly outing.
Every participant must sign a waiver before paddling. Life jackets are required and there is no swimming in the bayou. Rentals may operate in rain when conditions are safe.
100% refund for cancellations due to hazardous weather, including lightning, unsafe water, or wildfires. Rentals may operate in rain if safe. 100% refund for cancellations more than 48 hours before the rental. 50% refund if less than 48 hours and rescheduling is not possible. No refund for no-shows the morning of the rental.
6301 Paris Road Chalmette, LA 70043
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This swamp kayaking outfit consistently delivers peaceful, educational nature experiences that feel worlds away from the French Quarter bustle. Guides like Nick, Alex, Ryan, and MJ earn enthusiastic praise for their deep knowledge of the bayou ecosystem, from spotting gators and birds to explaining the area's environmental and cultural history. The tours strike a nice balance between informative commentary and quiet moments to soak in the scenery, making them ideal for nature lovers seeking something more contemplative than typical tourist attractions. The experience works well for beginners, with guides maintaining an easy, relaxed pace throughout the 2-4 hour tours. Even during colder months when wildlife is less active, visitors report seeing alligators, bald eagles, owls, and turtles. The Manchac Swamp tour gets particularly strong mentions for its beauty and remoteness. One guest noted a less-friendly guide experience, but this seems to be the rare exception in an otherwise consistently positive pattern. Just be prepared for a real workout—there's genuine paddling involved, though most find it entirely worthwhile for the authentic swamp immersion.
We did the Extended Manchac tour for my birthday last week. Our guide was Nick, and we were lucky to be the only participants. We learned a ton about birds and other wildlife, the history and environmental condition of the swamps, bayous, and canals, the trees and more. This was a highly recommended, top notch tour!
Dave Secord
January 14, 2026
We did the Extended Manchac tour for my birthday last week. Our guide was Nick, and we were lucky to be the only participants. We learned a ton about birds and other wildlife, the history and environmental condition of the swamps, bayous, and canals, the trees and more. This was a highly recommended, top notch tour!
Dave Secord
January 14, 2026