Louisiana Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour

Discover Cajun culture and spot wildlife on a guided pontoon cruise through Louisiana's cypress swamps

From$65/ person

Duration

3 hrs 45 mins

Includes

Pontoon cruise, Transport, Guide

Highlights

Glide through the cypress-draped bayous on a stable pontoon boat while a native guide shares tales of Cajun life and pirate lore. Cross the Mississippi River by coach before cruising the wetlands and spotting local wildlife.

Travel from the French Quarter by air-conditioned coach
Cruise narrow waterways on a custom pontoon boat
Hear stories of Jean Lafitte and bayou culture
Observe alligators, egrets, raccoons, and snakes
Learn about wetland erosion and restoration efforts

What's Included

Narrated pontoon boat cruise
Round-trip coach transport
Local guide and live commentary

Things to know

Collapsible wheelchairs can be stored on the bus. Electrical wheelchairs require 72-hour advance arrangement and scooters are not permitted.

FAQs

Q: How long is the tour including transportation?

A: The experience includes a short motorcoach ride across the Mississippi River plus the swamp boat tour, totaling several hours from check in to return.

Q: What should I wear?

A: Wear comfortable casual clothing suited to the weather and bring sunglasses. Ponchos are sold at the swamp if needed.

Q: Will I see alligators?

A: Wildlife varies by season but alligators, egrets, raccoons, and nutria are commonly seen, especially in warmer months. There is also a live albino alligator exhibit.

Q: Are food and drinks available?

A: Snacks and beverages, including alcoholic drinks, are available for purchase at the swamp.

Q: Is the tour suitable in rain?

A: The tour operates rain or shine, though severe weather may shorten or postpone it.

Q: Where can we park?

A: Parking is available in nearby French Quarter lots on Decatur Street and next to the dock. These lots are not owned or operated by the company and offer hourly or daily rates.

Cancellation policy

Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.

Meeting location

400 Toulouse St New Orleans, LA 70130 US

Experience provided by New Orleans Steamboat Company

Handpicked for you, so you can book with confidence

Best local prices
Flexible cancellation
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Each booking directly supports small businesses in our community.

Louisiana Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour

Discover Cajun culture and spot wildlife on a guided pontoon cruise through Louisiana's cypress swamps

From$65/ person

Duration

3 hrs 45 mins

Includes

Pontoon cruise, Transport, Guide

Highlights

Travel from the French Quarter by air-conditioned coach
Cruise narrow waterways on a custom pontoon boat
Hear stories of Jean Lafitte and bayou culture
Observe alligators, egrets, raccoons, and snakes
Learn about wetland erosion and restoration efforts

What's Included

Narrated pontoon boat cruise
Round-trip coach transport
Local guide and live commentary

Things to know

Collapsible wheelchairs can be stored on the bus. Electrical wheelchairs require 72-hour advance arrangement and scooters are not permitted.

FAQs

Q: How long is the tour including transportation?

A: The experience includes a short motorcoach ride across the Mississippi River plus the swamp boat tour, totaling several hours from check in to return.

Q: What should I wear?

A: Wear comfortable casual clothing suited to the weather and bring sunglasses. Ponchos are sold at the swamp if needed.

Q: Will I see alligators?

A: Wildlife varies by season but alligators, egrets, raccoons, and nutria are commonly seen, especially in warmer months. There is also a live albino alligator exhibit.

Q: Are food and drinks available?

A: Snacks and beverages, including alcoholic drinks, are available for purchase at the swamp.

Q: Is the tour suitable in rain?

A: The tour operates rain or shine, though severe weather may shorten or postpone it.

Q: Where can we park?

A: Parking is available in nearby French Quarter lots on Decatur Street and next to the dock. These lots are not owned or operated by the company and offer hourly or daily rates.

Cancellation policy

Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.

Review summary

4.4

Very Good

4.5K reviewsGoogle Maps

The Steamboat Natchez delivers an authentic slice of New Orleans culture, combining live jazz, Mississippi River views, and Creole cuisine on a genuine paddlewheel steamboat. When things click, guests rave about it being a trip highlight: the jazz bands get people energized, the Creole buffet impresses with fresh, high-quality dishes, and there's something undeniably magical about cruising at dusk with the city skyline as your backdrop. The calliope music adds charm, and many appreciate simply sitting down after walking all day around the city. The southern hospitality from staff gets consistent praise, and for those seeking a quintessential New Orleans experience, this checks all the boxes. However, operational hiccups can dampen the experience considerably. Boarding logistics appear inconsistent, with some guests reporting waits over an hour that cut into their reserved dinner times, creating a crowded, chaotic situation where people couldn't find deck seating. The actual cruise pace feels slow to some visitors, and extended periods without music or commentary leave gaps that make the shoreline views drag. Food service has its issues too: items running out before everyone gets seconds, cold dishes that should be warm, and confusing protocols about requesting refills. A few travelers found the whole experience fairly mundane, suggesting it's skippable if your New Orleans itinerary is packed. The consensus leans positive overall, but timing your visit and managing expectations about the relaxed pace will help determine if this classic riverboat experience is worth your time.

What people are saying

Wonderful jazz cruise on an authentic New Orleans steamer (though I believe the steam mechanism is superseded by electrical power). The paddle is very impressive, and mesmerising to lose yourself into for periods of time. The cruise is a perfect length of time, and leaves you well situated to make your way to Bourbon, Frenchmen or the hotel district as you depart. The boat took approximately 1 hour before departing, and we were inundated with interesting facts about the boat as we departed, before the band returned for a second ~1 hour long set. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the crew do not seem to prevent you from moving chairs around and sitting in paces that perhaps aren’t intended. The band were good, and broadcast throughout the ship, though there were some mixing issues at the start and only the sousaphone could be heard. Merely a minor teething issue. The sousaphone player gave us some notes as we were departing the boat which was a nice extra surprise. Overall a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend!