New Orleans Swamp Tours
Embark on a tour of the renowned Honey Island Swamp with Cajun Encounters. Glide through gator territory aboard a small, flat-bottomed boat, while our local expert captains share fascinating insights about the swamp and its natural inhabitants. For your comfort and convenience, we offer pickup services from numerous French Quarter hotels and visitor centers. Our tours are led by top experts in the field, many of whom have spent their lives on the water and hold specialized degrees, ensuring you an authentic and unforgettable experience. Discover one of America's most unique ecosystems with us.
Our Swamp Tours
Original Swamp Tour
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with a two-hour boat ride and see just how beautiful the swamp truly is.
VIP Swamp Tour | Ages 13+
Experience the ultimate VIP adventure with an exclusive boat ride on a small intimate boat through the Honey Island Swamp.
Original Swamp Tour
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with a two-hour boat ride and see just how beautiful the swamp truly is.
VIP Swamp Tour | Ages 13+
Experience the ultimate VIP adventure with an exclusive boat ride on a small intimate boat through the Honey Island Swamp.
What You'll See
Meet the Swamp’s Wildest Residents
This unique wetland is home to a fascinating array of creatures, including alligators, wild boars, raccoons, and a stunning variety of bird species such as egrets and herons. Our expert-guided tours provide an unparalleled opportunity to observe these animals in their natural habitat, offering insights into their behaviors, life cycles, and the intricate ecosystem they inhabit. Experience the thrill of encountering wildlife up close and learn about the delicate balance that sustains this vibrant environment.
Wander Through Nature’s Untamed Paradise
Honey Island Swamp is a lush and vibrant ecosystem, home to an incredible variety of diverse flora. Among the most iconic of its plant life are the majestic cypress trees, their roots deeply embedded in the swamp's waters, creating a hauntingly beautiful landscape draped in Spanish moss. Magnolias also thrive here, their large, fragrant blossoms adding a touch of elegance to the swamp's verdant scenery. In addition to these well-known species, the swamp hosts an array of other fascinating plants, including wildflowers that add bursts of color, lush ferns that carpet the forest floor, and various aquatic plants that flourish in the waters.
Discover the Legendary Whiskey Tree
Uncover the secrets of the Honey Island Swamp with a visit to the legendary Whiskey Tree, a captivating piece of Prohibition history. This enchanting landmark even inspired Disney's creative team during their visit for The Princess and the Frog movie! Experience the captivating stories and stunning beauty of the swamp firsthand as you explore this unforgettable piece of Louisiana's heritage.
Travel in comfort!
Travel in comfort aboard our modern, luxurious buses as we take you from the heart of New Orleans to the serene beauty of the swamp. Designed for relaxation and ease, our spacious buses feature plush seating, climate control, and a smooth ride, ensuring you arrive refreshed and ready for adventure. Sit back, unwind, and let us handle the journey while you focus on the breathtaking experience that awaits.
Swamp Tour Times
Boats depart daily at 9:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 2:45 PM, and 5 PM. For your convenience, we offer pickup services from select hotels in the French Quarter and downtown New Orleans. If you choose self-transportation, please arrive 30 minutes before your tour time to ensure enough time to park and check in.
Our swamp tours are approximately an hour and forty-five minutes but can go up to 2 hours long, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the Honey Island Swamp!
See the beauty of honey island swamp!
Hear from our customers
61,000 5-Star Google Reviews
Our swamp boat tour with Cajun Adventures was an unforgettable experience! Captain Pat was phenomenal, combining deep knowledge of the swamp’s wildlife with humor and engaging storytelling. We spotted alligators, turtles, and birds, all while learning about the ecosystem from someone truly passionate about the environment. A big shoutout also goes to our bus driver, Derek, who made the ride just as enjoyable with his friendly demeanor and fascinating mini-tour, sharing insights into local culture and history. This tour is a must-do for anyone visiting New Orleans and looking to experience Louisiana’s natural beauty and charm!!
From pickup to the drive back, this experience was truly special! Justina, our bus driver, was a wonderful guide as we made our way through the city and to the swamp. She was prompt with pickup times, drove safely, and provided interesting facts about Louisiana along the way. Captain Scott, aka Swamp Ninja, was super informative and hilarious! We definitely got out money's worth, and then some! Don't miss out on this adventure!
Just had a great experience on the gator tour. Bus driver Derek was great at giving recommendations and some history of New Orleans. Tour guide blueberry was awesome at spotting gators and other animals. Would definitely recommend!
Alligators, Blue herons, racoons, turtles, snakes woodpeckers and other assorted wildlife all backed up by well informed and entertaining guide (who also can arrange skydiving 👍) what's not to love!!!
Awesome tour. Our driver Dwayne aka Pebbles was super fun and gave us really fun facts on our way to the swamp. Unfortunately we didnt get to see many alligators bc it was super cold almost freezing. They did recommend to visit during mid March were the fauna is more active.We did get to see turtles and racoons. Overall it was a lovely tour Highly recommend.
I did a tour with Captain Tim and he was very knowledgeable about everything and we saw alligators, turtles, snakes, and raccoons. I would highly recommend Cajun Encounters and Captain Tim to anybody.
Had a great experience on my swamp tour, even in the middle of winter! I was lucky enough to get 70 degree weather, which brought out a few of the gators and lots of other wildlife.Our trip started off with a bus trip out to the bayou, and our driver Derek did a great job talking about the history of the city, as well as tips for visiting. Once we got to the site, there was a nice little gift shop area, as well as a little boardwalk that gave you your first glimpse of the swamp. After a bit we were separated into our boat groups and set off on our tour.Our boat guide Eddy was great, had a ton of knowledge about the area and all of the wildlife. The best part was when he called out loudly to George, which had us a little puzzled, until a raccoon popped out of nowhere! Eddy threw him some treats and explained all the raccoons responded to George, short for George Cooney. As mentioned, we did see a couple gators, but also saw tons of turtles, a few snakes, a couple raccoons, and lots of different bird species. Much more than I was expecting for a trip in the middle of winter.I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone in the area, it will add a lot to your trip and is well worth the price, I can imagine even more so in the warmer months.
Transportation Details
- You may opt to drive to the swamp tour, or select the option that includes round-trip transportation. Our drivers only pick-up from the locations listed here. Requests for other locations cannot be accommodated.
- Free parking is available for swamp tours for those providing their own transportation.
- Cajun Encounters boats return to the original departure point, 55345 US-90, Slidell, LA 70461. Visit our maps & directions page for more details.
- If hotel pick-up was included, a Cajun Encounter coach will return guests to their original departure point.
Frequently Asked Questions
why book with us?
With over 25 years of experience, you can confidently trust us to deliver an incredible and truly memorable adventure for you and your family every single time.
Your safety is our top priority at Cajun Encounters. We adhere to the highest safety standards and regulations, ensuring that all of our tours are conducted with your well-being in mind.
We offer multiple pickup locations around New Orleans, including the most popular spots and hotels. This ensures that starting your journey is as easy and hassle-free as possible.
Book your next adventure today!
Original Swamp Tour
Deluxe Transportation AvailableEmbark on an unforgettable adventure with a two-hour boat ride through the mystical Honey Island Swamp. Our local, certified boat captains will guide you aboard our custom-built 22-passenger flat-bottomed boat, designed for both comfort and optimal wildlife viewing. As you journey through the swamp, you'll have the opportunity to see a variety of local wildlife, including alligators, egrets, and wild boars, and learn about the unique ecosystem and rich history of the area.
VIP Swamp Tour | Ages 13+
Ages 13+ | Deluxe Transportation AvailableExperience the ultimate VIP adventure with an exclusive two-hour boat ride through the enchanting Honey Island Swamp. Our local, certified boat captains will guide you aboard a custom-built flat-bottomed boat, designed to comfortably accommodate 10-12 passengers for an intimate and personalized journey. As you glide through the serene waters, you'll have unparalleled opportunities to observe the diverse local wildlife, including alligators, egrets, and wild boars.
Swamp Tour Image Gallery
