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!
Crystal says
We did a swamp tour of Louisiana when I was a child, but I’d love to go back. The airboat sounds like such a fun way to explore. I know my whole family would get a kick out of it.
deb says
I adore Louisiana and taking the swamp boat tours is one of my favorite things to do there. If you ever get the chance, check out the Cajun Pride Swamp tours as well. I’m moving this one to the top of the list for my next visit.
Joanna @way2gomom says
That looks so cool, my husband would LOVE to do that tour! I’ve not been to Louisiana, but one of my very closest friends lives there, so we’ve been thinking about making a vacation of it this year. I think we’ll have to add this on to our list of activities when we do go down to visit!
Theresa says
I think a tour of a Louisiana swamp would be so fun! I’d probably freak out if we saw some reptiles, but it would throw some excitement into the tour. That airboat sure does look like a great way to tour through the swamps!
Ann Bacciaglia says
I would love to go to Jefferson Parish Louisiana. It looks so beautiful here. It would be an amazing place to unwind.
Toni | BoulderLocavore says
I did a tour like this in Florida and loved it! So much cool wildlife to spot. I think Louisiana has some fascinating areas to explore.
Liz Mays says
I’d love to go on one of those tours. Learning about the plants, animals and landmarks as we pass them would be fun.
Marcie W. says
A swamp tour sounds awesome on its own but I bet the cool factor is bumped up when you take one via airboat. I love that you saw actual gators too!
Valerie says
What a neat tour! I would like to see all the wildlife out there.
Tracey says
I would love to do this! I have always wanted to visit the swamp.
Betsy Segars says
I’ve always wanted to do a swamp boat tour! I might freak out if I saw an alligator!
Jennifer says
That would be an absolute blast. I’ve been on several air boat tours of the Everglades, and I loved it. I think this would be very similar.
Pam says
I have always wanted to go on a airboat tour like this! It looks like so much fun!
Catherine S says
This looks like a lot of fun. I have a lot of family in Louisiana and I have always wanted to go for a visit. I would love to go on an airboat tour.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I think an air boat tour of Louisiana would be absolutely amazing. I’ve always thought the swamps down there were so beautiful.