A swamp tour is a safe, quiet and educational way to view, enjoy and learn about nature and the wildlife. Alligators, turtles, birds, and other wildlife are pointed out by guides. While all swamp tours view the wildlife, only eco-tours follow leave no trace ethics, like not feeding the wildlife.

Old swamp boats are usually called Pirogues and are very close in design, (flat bottom) and use to the kayaks that we use on our swamp tours in New Orleans.  The same way that pirogues were used to get back into narrow and shallow areas that big noisy motorized boats cannot reach.  Sadly, these small man-powered vessels are quickly becoming a relic.

Alligators are very common in Louisiana.  Being cold blooded, they tend to slow down when temperatures dip below 60 degrees but are in abundance and visible during our tour for most of the year!

As long as the temperature is above 70 degrees during the winter, there is a good chance you will find an alligator come out and sun themselves.  There are a lot of days when this happens, if the temperature is below 70 degrees, this is not likely to happen.  Although there are a lot of great sights to view in the swamp nonetheless.

So, now that you are ready for your New Orleans swamp tour, you need to know what essentials to bring! We recommend that to feel prepared, you bring:

1. Sunscreen – kayaks do not offer any protection from the sun, so it is important that you wear sunscreen. We will be out on the water for at least an hour and a half.  Don’t forget to apply to the tops of your legs, as we use sit-on-top kayaks.
2. Bug Repellent – while the mosquitoes are not typically a problem on our swamp tours, they can appear during dusk for 1/2 hour, but otherwise, our other tour times they don’t bug us.
3. Cash – cash is most definitely an essential for your swamp tour. It allows you to tip your tour guides.
4. Camera – bring your camera or phone camera so that you can capture the beauty of the swamp and its creatures. We sell waterproof cases for your photo if you need or want them.
5. Comfortable Clothing – wear clothing that is appropriate for the time of year and that is comfortable. Tennis shoes or sandals are recommended for your swamp tour. You may want to bring a light jacket in the cool months and a warmer jacket in the winter, if it is a cooler day.
6. Questions – Our tour guides love answering questions from guests. If you have a question, they will have an answer.

No! In fact, we only use insect repellent perhaps once a year. The whirligigs, dragonflies and other predaceous insects do a great job of keeping the mosquito population down.  Sometimes during dusk, they can come out for a few minutes, but on our other tours, they are non-existent.

Most swamp tours are on the water for about 1.5-2 hours.  Our kayak swamp tours run about 2-2.5 hours on the water.  It is about as much as most people would like to be on the water.  If you want to be on the water for a longer time, then consider hiring us with a private swamp tour.

We generally return to the New Orleans approximately 3.5-4 hours following the scheduled tour time.  Of course traffic and other factors can come into play.

Gulf weather is notoriously hard to predict and impossible to forecast.  A light rain is usually a cool welcome in the spring and the summer months.  If the weather is potentially a danger to our customers, we will be in touch ahead of time to reschedule.  If we call off a tour due to severe weather/cold and you are not able to reschedule, we do offer a full refund.

Dress for the weather and wear light layered breathable, synthetic clothing/swimsuits during the warm months and a warm thermal cover in the winter for your swamp tour. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Sandals or athletic shoes you don’t mind getting wet or dirty.

Bayou is the Choctaw word for river.  This term is properly used in describing a slow-moving, meandering, connective passage between two waterways.  A swamp on the other hand is, by definition, a flooded forest, and has no movement to its water.

• We are an eco tour company that does not feed the wildlife!
• Our kayaks allow easy entry to shallow and narrow waterways that would be inaccessible to larger motorized vessels.
• Silence is golden.  Without a large motor disturbing the natural setting, we are able to quietly view the wildlife and landscape as it is naturally without having to bait the waters to generate any excitement.
• Education.  Our guides have a thorough understanding  and knowledge of the history, geology, zoology and current environmental issues regarding our delta.
• We have new Ford Transit Vehicles for our shuttles.

We start our tour from a roadside boat launch along the edge of the Maurepas Wildlife Management Area 30 miles to the west of New Orleans.  We send the exact coordinates and detailed directions with pictures in a confirmation email upon making a booking.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes before tour.  If you arrive any earlier, there is a chance our trailer and van wont yet be there to use as a visual marker, but we should be arriving shortly.

$59/person(Manchac) $59/person(Honey Island) without transportation OR $79/person including our round trip shuttle to and from the French Quarter.  DO NOT RELY ON UBER.  Our 1/2 Day Tours are $199 and our combo tour is $175

PLEASE do not use Uber.  Not only is it much more costly, but our tour leaves from a roadside boat launch with no physical address.  Also, rural Louisiana doesn’t always have the best Uber service.  If you need a ride, USE OUR SHUTTLE SERVICE that you can add during booking.

Again, there’s no bad time to go. Our favorite times are April, late October and early November. Winter can be a great because the summer grass that is typically six feet tall is now only inches high. This means you’ll see more nutria and deer, and the migratory birds such as waterfowl and the bald eagles. Alligators are tough to find when temps drop below 70 degrees, no matter what time of year, but they can be found throughout the winter on warmer days. Plus, there is so much more to the tour than just seeing alligators, that any time of year is a great time to visit.

Find out when is the best time of day to go on a swamp tour in New Orleans is.

740 N Rampart St.
New Orleans, LA, 70116, US

Private pickups are reserved for private tours and groups of 10+ only.

Our most popular kayak trip is the Manchac Wildlife tour.  It provides the most opportunities for viewing wildlife and has some of the best swampy landscape scenes in the country.

It all depends on what your desire is. .  If you want to see the swamp at the prettiest time of day, we recommend the 9:45 AM tour or the early evening tour. The early morning and evening light has warmer tones than midday. Also, these times don’t have the harsh, full sun or full shade contrast of midday, so it’s much better for photography.

Wintertime and early spring can bring temps from 30 degrees (rare) to 75 degrees, with an average high temp of about 64 degrees, so our winter and spring airboat tours can be quite pleasant indeed. If it’s sunny and the temperatures reach into the high 60’s, alligators will come out on logs to sun.

For more indepth understanding of when to go, see our blog post; When is the best time of day to go on a swamp tour in New Orleans is

We would advise against it.

ONLINE at https://neworleanskayakswamptours.com/

We do our best to make our tours as inclusive as possible.  As long as you are comfortable trying…so are we.

Our kayaks have a max load of 400 pounds.

8+ Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and anyone under 16 must ride tandem with an adult.

Our swamp tours our begin friendly.  If you’ve recently experienced pain in or had surgery on shoulders or back it would be advisable to consult a doctor or at least try kayaking before committing to our tour.

2-2.5 hours spent on the water for our standard tour.  1/2 Day tour lasts approx 4 hours on water and 6-7 hours total with drive time.  Combo tours last approx 8 hours.

As long as you carry your trash away with you it is fine to bring a light snack on both bus and boats.  We recommend saving your appetite for the city, we have plenty of places to recommend.  Water on the boats IS A MUST.

We are comfortably beginner friendly as long as you know what you’re signing up for, the swamps are a great first kayaking experience

Nothing in the swamps is out to harm us.  That said, and out of reverence for our swampy friends, we  urge you to obey our guides directions and keep respectful distances from any wildlife we encounter as to not disrupt their natural movement.  Alligators are nocturnal hunters and mostly reclusive and lazy during the daylight hours.  Nothing to worry about.

Sorry, No we are a leave-no-trace company.

See Eco-Kayak Swamp Tour guides

Yes, it is appropriate to tip the tour guides. Tips will have to be in the form of cash.  We will not be able to charge a credit card for a tip. If your guide really works hard and you think he gave a great tour, let him know how much you appreciate it!

Due to high demand, we strongly recommend reservations. If you arrive without a reservation, we will try to accommodate you to our best ability. To prevent this, it is easy to make reservations online or by phone ahead of time via TXT 504-571-9975

City traffic gets CRAZY during festivals and Mardi Gras.  We like to limit our driving time in the city during these times.  This means being on time for the shuttle and no custom pick-up and drop-offs.  Trust me, it’s easier and more fun to walk through a parade than to drive through one.

Spring gives birth to new life in the Louisiana swamp. As the weather gets warmer, alligators, turtles and other reptiles emerge from brumation to sun themselves and take advantage of warm daytime air temperatures, making spring the prime time of year for alligator viewing. Leaves come back to the trees and undergrowth vegetation starts to fill in, coating the swamp in a lush, vibrant green. Mammals such as raccoons will be more visible this time of year. Migratory summering birds will begin to make an appearance. Spring and early summer is also a special period when we can observe nesting activity from a variety of birds including barred owls, osprey, bald eagles, herons and more. Temperatures in early springtime can be variable, so make sure to check the weather for the day of your tour! This is our busiest season, so be sure to book in advance.

Spring is the perfect time of year for our Extended Manchac Kayak Swamp Tour which includes 4+ hours on the water with increased opportunity to see wildlife.

The sultry heat and humidity of summer is an authentic part of the Louisiana experience! As we move into the summer, alligator’s habits tend to be more nocturnal and we have to look a bit harder for them, however we may be more likely to see juveniles or even babies! Birding is typically best in the morning during the summer, and sometimes low water level conditions can bring in a variety of wading birds like herons and ibis. During the July-August, daytime temperatures rise well into the 90s. We recommend booking our early morning 9am or late afternoon tours to beat the heat and maximize your chance of seeing wildlife. Come prepared with plenty of water/hydration drinks and sunscreen, as well as sun hats/clothing, if you have it. Summer also brings the much appreciated relief of afternoon scattered thunderstorms, which can necessitate rescheduling due to weather (typically the morning is the best bet if there is a threat of thunderstorms).

Another option to beat the heat is to join our Honey Island Kayak Tour which includes a stop at a sandbar on the Pearl River for swimming

Fall in Louisiana is the ideal time of the year to go kayaking in the swamp. Weather turns milder with cooler morning and evening temperatures, there is lowered humidity, and more of a breeze. Bald cypress start their fall color change to a gorgeous rust color, making this one of the most picturesque times of year and popular with nature photographers. With water temperatures dropping, we start to see more alligators and turtles come out to sun themselves on the warmer days of fall, offering excellent viewing opportunities. Other wildlife including birds and small mammals will also become more active during the daytime. Waning daylight hours make for great light on our afternoon tours. Temperatures in late autumn can be variable, so make sure to check the weather for the day of your tour! We are busy during this season, so be sure to book in advance.

Fall is an ideal time to experience our Extended Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour.

We run tours year round and winter is a guide-favorite time of the year to go kayaking in the swamp! Temperatures frequently bounce back and forth, typically ranging from the 40s to the 60s Fahrenheit. Trees have lost most of their foliage, though some rust-colored leaves typically remain on the bald cypress. During this season, reptiles will be largely inactive except during the warmest days of winter. It may still be possible to see alligators, provided there is sun and 65-70+ degree air temperatures. However, other wildlife comes out. Less foliage makes for ideal conditions to spot barred owls and raccoons; nutria are also more active during the days of winter. We see a spike in certain migratory wintering birds. Another benefit to paddling in winter is the decrease in invasive water hyacinth, allowing deeper access into less traveled bayous. Temperatures in winter can change overnight, so make sure to check the weather for the day of your tour! Brisk days of winter can be really magical as long as you are dressed appropriately for the weather.

We think the mild winter temperatures make for an ideal time to experience our Extended Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour.

It all depends on what you are looking for. If you want to see the swamp at the prettiest time of day, we recommend the 9:00 AM tour or the 4:30/evening tour, which are closest to the magic hours. At these times the light has warmer tones and lacks the harsh contrast of mid-day, making these the ideal times for photography. The morning is typically our favorite time of day for spotting wildlife, although it can vary day-by-day and with the seasons. Mid-day tours, on the other hand, are often what works best for fitting into a vacation schedule that involves relaxed mornings and/or dinner plans. Seasonality is also a consideration; morning/evening tours will be least hot during summer. Mid-day tours will be least cold and may have the best chance of seeing reptiles during winter. We may adjust tour times to take advantage of these seasonal changes. We recommend booking morning or evening tours during summer to avoid going out during the midday heat.