The best way to take on Louisiana Swamp Tours is in an airboat! The New Orleans Airboat tour offers a close look at the beauty of nature AND high speed fun.
While we have been suffering through below-zero temperatures here in Minnesota the last few days, I have been blissfully daydreaming about my trip to Jefferson Parish Louisiana a couple of months ago and really wishing I was headed back there soon!
In November, I spent three days in and around Metairie, Louisiana, as a guest of the Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau and it was an awesome trip. We had a blast touring (and eating) our way through Jefferson Parish, but the highlight had to be the New Orleans Airboat tour with Louisiana Swamp Tours.
If you have never been in an airboat, let me tell you that it is a great way to tour. Since they are open on all sides, you have an unobstructed view of everything around you.
Plus, the airboats used by Louisiana Swamp Tours have “stadium seating” so you don’t have to worry about the person in front of you blocking your view. Another cool thing about these airboats is that they can ride in just inches of water, enabling them to go places traditional boats can’t maneuver.
This accessibility brought us to some remote areas of the swamp that were breathtakingly beautiful. Just taking in the beautiful cypress trees and other foliage in the swamp was an experience, but seeing the birds and alligators was what I was really after!
Our boat captain knew just where to take us for the best opportunity to see alligators and he was right on the money! Not only did he bring us to see the gators, but being born and raised in the area and spending most of his life on the water, he was able to answer all of our many questions about the swamp and its inhabitants.
Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the rush of riding into the wind when the captain moved our airboat from one location to another at full speed. They travel up to 35 miles per hour, but it feels much faster with the wind whipping through your hair and a light mist of water splashing up from below.
The New Orleans Airboat tour with Louisiana Swamp Tours was definitely a thrill and I can’t wait to return with family and friends to experience it all again!
Jared says
Grew up down in La. – anyone who visits should go on one of these tours.
John H. says
It would be really cool to go on an air boat!
Chasing Joy says
It never occured to me that you could go on a tour of the swamp. I don’t know if I’d be advertourous to get that close to allegators though.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I cannot believe you were so close that you could take a picture of that alligator! I would have been terrified! But, it does ook like a lot of fun too!
Joyce Brewer (@MommyTalkShow) says
I’ve been to Louisiana a lot and I’ve seen ads for these swamp tours.
Now that I’ve seen your experience up close, I’m not as scared to try it myself.
Veronica says
I am too scared of crocodiles to do this tour. Lol. Even if they are in the water.
Amanda O. says
I went on this swamp tour when I visited New Orleans last year. I had so much fun! A great tour that is a must if you’re in the area.
Krystal's Kitsch says
I’ve done swamp boats in Florida and it was REALLY fun. Such a unique experience to enjoy outdoors.
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
I am so excited to move back south so that when I visit my friends in LA they can take me on one of these tours. I have always wanted to go on one! Looks like so much fun.
Shelley says
Those are great photos! I went on an airboat once and it was so freaking fun. Except I was overly excited and sat right up front… every time the guy went full speed through the tall grasses the bugs were plastered to my face! lol lesson learned. Wear a mask!
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I’ve only been on an air boat once, a couple of years back. I had a blast, it was lots of fun and we saw a lot.
Amber Edwards says
I have to say I am deathly afraid of all the living things in the swamps in the south. But even so I have always wanted to take a boat tour to see all the beauty that is around the swamps! I love this idea. As long as I’m safely in a boat I think I can handle all those reptiles 🙂
Raijean S says
Ok, this is totally something I would do. I’m all about exploring so this would be a fun thing to do.