New Orleans Tours
Honey Island Swamp Boat Tour with Transportation from New Orleans
4.5

Honey Island Swamp Boat Tour with Transportation from New Orleans

By Dr. Wagner's Honey Island Swamp Tours
Recommended by 94% of travelers
94% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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About
Spot gators, egrets, turtles, and other Louisiana wildlife on a boat tour of the Honey Island Swamp. Cruise through a mossy cypress forest while a wetland ecologist shares insight into this protected nature reserve and local Cajun fishing life. No need to rent a car to explore the bayou, as pickup and drop-off from your New Orleans downtown or French Quarter hotel is included.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 0-99, max of 22 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Explore a typical Louisiana swamp on a boat tour from New Orleans
  • A wetlands ecologist guide shares info on the protected nature reserve
  • Great chance to see wildlife, such as alligators, turtles, and river otters
  • Transport from New Orleans' downtown or French Quarter provided

  • Live commentary on board
  • Professional local guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Round-trip shared transfer
  • Entry/Admission - Dr. Wagner's Honey Island Swamp Tours
What's not included
  • Food and drinks

After convenient pickup at your downtown or French Quarter hotel, leave the bustle of New Orleans behind and travel to the launch point on the West Pearl River, near the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Board a covered swamp boat that provides protection from the hot Louisiana sun or from the rain on stormy days, and make your way into the protected waters of the Honey Island Swamp. Glide beneath hanging moss and cypress trees, as a wetlands ecologist guide shares info about this unique ecosystem, plus local legends of pirates, Bigfoot, and prehistoric creatures. Look out for swamp critters, such as otters, egrets, nutria, turtles, and alligators, during the cruise. You also learn about Louisiana's important fishing industry and pass through a typical Cajun fishing village.

Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
    Pickup details
    • Only picks up from French Quarter Hotels. Please reconfirm pickup with local operator after booking.
    Hotel pickup offered
    During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.
      End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

        • Not wheelchair accessible
        • Service animals allowed
        • Near public transportation
        • Infants must sit on laps
        If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 27459P3

        • PLEASE PROVIDE THE HOTEL NAME AND ADDRESS IN THE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS.” RESERVATIONS WITHOUT HOTEL NAME AND ADDRESS CANNOT BE CONFIRMED
        • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
        • Most travelers can participate
        • No heaith restrictions, all can enjoy experence.
        • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
        • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 travelers

        • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

        If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 27459P3

        From
        $58.00
        per adult
        Select date and travelers

        Similar experiences

        Itinerary
        • Pass by
          Lake Pontchartrain
        • 1
          Enjoy this Louisiana Swamp experience — a unique outdoor adventure that is safe, organized, fun, and educational. After a New Orleans French Quarter hotel pickup, travel to the starting location on the West Pearl River, in Slidell, Louisiana. Venture into the gift shop overlooking the Tupelo and Cypress swamp and check in for the tour. Be sure to take a look out of the back window to see if any backyard guests are lurking in the murky waters below. Don’t forget to use the restrooms before embarking on this 2-hour tour throughout nearly 70,000 acres of the Honey Island Swamp, a permanently protected wildlife preserve. While walking down the dock, embrace the excitement of seeing the moss hanging from the gnarled cypress trees and the sweet smell of wild azaleas in the air. There's an undeniable eagerness to explore. Listen intently to the captain’s tales of pirates, Bigfoot, and prehistoric creatures roaming the region while entering the primitive beauty of the Honey Island Swamp. Keep an eye out for alligators, herons, egrets, deer, feral hogs, nutria, raccoons, otters, turtles, and frogs — an abundance of wildlife along the banks and the in the murky waters. Or look up and out for bald eagles, owls, osprey, and other water fowl soaring through the skies. They could be visible one second and gone the next. Those touring Honey Island can easily see why Louisiana is known as the Fisherman’s Paradise. Passing through the Cajun village, where local fisherman reside, see them catching bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and warmth. Thousands of pounds of crawfish are caught in these waters every season as well. All the tour boats are inspected and approved by the US Coast Guard. These small, custom-built, flat-bottom boats transport approximately 20-24 individuals each. They are operated by experienced local guides who interact with the guests and make the trip both enjoyable and exciting. With the journey back up the river, the captain leads the way to the original departure location. A New Orleans hotel drop-off closes the tour. Note: this tour only offers pick up and drop off from the French Quarter.
        About the operator
        Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
        • Dr. Wagner's Honey Island Swamp Tours
          1,604
          Slidell, Louisiana
          Joined in September 2008
        • Hotsenior
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Hold on tight this swamps got more surprises than a tomb full of traps!
          Captain Chris taught us a lot about life on the Pearl River and the bayou explaining terms we have heard, not realizing what they meant. Found it very educational in a fun atmosphere. We were a group of 9, with 2 six year olds, a 8 year old, 14 and 15 year olds who all were sure they would not enjoy the adventure, boy oh boy were they proven wrong! They had the biggest grins from ear to ear, Captain Chris made sure they loved their time on the water. PS there was no shortage of alligators. All of us throughly enjoyed our afternoon on the Swamp Tour.
          Written September 1, 2024
        • Stacey E
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Captain Morgan is nothing compared to Captain Hunter!
          Captain Hunter was fabulous! It was a beautiful morning filled with information, fun, and GATORS! We more than enjoyed our tour! Thanks Honey Island Swamp and great job Captain Hunter!
          Written August 11, 2024
        • denisesvensen
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent informative tour
          Excellent, informative tour. Captain Chris was funny & knowledgeable. He gave detailed info about all the flora & fauna, hunting regulations & conservation. We saw alligators, raccoons & turtles. My 3 teens & myself all thoroughly enjoyed the tour & would highly recommend
          Written August 4, 2024
        • Resort24120001046
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          The best tour of Louisiana
          It’s for the best swamp tour of Louisiana. Small group and real local people in love of their culture and their environment. They just don’t show you alligator but a lot of different insectes and animals. They welcome you in a little cute house typical of Louisiana
          Written August 4, 2024
        • melissaterzis
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Absolute 5 Star Experience
          It’s amazing! Even the kids loved it (10 & 12 yrs) We saw so much - tons of alligators, raccoons, turtles, heron - fantastic tour. Our guide was amazing, sharing everything possible and doing what he could to draw the gators out. Awesome and would do it again. We tipped our guide. They don’t ask for tips but it’s a crime if you don’t tip them for everything they do. The kids probably learned more in 90 minutes than in half a year of science class. Beyond worth it.
          Written July 20, 2024
        • Z4732TSmikeb
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Highly recommend
          Knowing that they cannot insure wildlife encounters we were pleasantly surprised at the number of alligators, birds and critters we observed. Chris was our tour guide and boat pilot. He was stellar. Highly recommend this excursion.
          Written July 19, 2024
        • jhcostolo
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Wonderful.
          Always a great adventure. Alligators, wild birds, raccoons. Capt Mark is a great tour guide. Each trip is different. Don’t miss it.
          Written July 9, 2024
        • asydneysmith
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Excellent experience for the price - exactly what we were looking for
          There are many options in the area for swamp tours, so it's sometimes a little overwhelming to pick! We loved this one. It was exactly what we wanted. 90 mins, we saw a ton of alligators, we learned a little bit about the area, the wildlife, the natural habitat. It was really interesting. Captain Hunter was entertaining and knowledgeable. After a couple days of touristy things in the area, my 13 year old reluctantly attended this tour, but it ended up being his favorite of everything we did in the area. This was also the most affordable option! We highly recommend it for the entertainment and the value! We'd definitely do it again!
          Written July 8, 2024
        • tonyan501
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Family Fun
          Hubby & I went on this tour today with our 4 grandkids. We all had a great time. Captain Hunter was very entertaining and kept it interesting. We saw gators, turtles, blue heron , and racoons. Would defiantly recommend
          Written July 1, 2024
        • Catherine G
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Guittar Vavation
          Matt was our captain. He did an awesome job explaining & showing us things. Definitely worth it for a family or even as a couples outing.
          Written June 30, 2024
        • R3thom
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Best swamp tour!
          Our family of six booked this private swamp tour and it was a highlight of our family vacation. My four kids (ages 7-13) loved it! Our local tour guide, Mike, was very knowledgeable about the area and wildlife. He was great at interacting with our kids. We saw so much wildlife. This area is such a beautiful place. We highly recommend this as part of your vacation here.
          Written June 29, 2024
        • I9285TMamandah
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          10/10 so much fun!
          Wonderful trip! We got to see some amazing birds, some raccoons, and plenty of alligators! Would recommend to anyone and would do again if we were back in the area!
          Written June 13, 2024
        • butrcup74
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Captain Hunter is #1
          Captain Hunter’s “first day” knocked plot out of the park. Although we didn’t see an alligator jump out of the water like in another pic, I was still impressed. 😁. He’s got jokes, educational information and daredevil driving. Thank you!
          Written June 11, 2024
        • S191AKbobbyl
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          June 8 Tour
          Captain Kyle didn’t disappoint today. Great tour with a ton of wildlife! The weather was perfect and our guide was a wealth of knowledge about the area and the animals we saw.
          Written June 8, 2024
        • C3167LIdawnl
          0 contributions
          5.0 of 5 bubbles
          Should Not Be Missed
          This tour is something that should not be missed if you're in the area. Our guide was informative and willing to answer any questions. The swamp itself was gorgeous, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely..in spite of the fact that it started pouring rain about half way through. Our guide handled the change in weather beautifully, handing out tarps for the passengers to cover themselves with, so we all ended up a little damp instead of soaking wet at the end of the ride.
          Written June 8, 2024
        See all 1,604 reviews
        These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

        Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

        Popular mentions

        4.5
        4.5 of 5 bubbles112 reviews
        Excellent
        87
        Very good
        19
        Average
        1
        Poor
        3
        Terrible
        2

        Sean G
        1 contribution
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Mar 2020
        Great trip and great guide. The trip was very fun and informative. We saw alligators, snakes, raccoons and a wild bore up close. The guide fed him marshmallows and she was literally beside the boat, very cool.
        Written March 11, 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thanks for coming
        Written July 15, 2020
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        DNSarg
        San Jose, CA92 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        My 28 & 25 year old daughters and I visited NOLA the week after Mardi Gras. What a great time to visit. The crowds were nonexistent. But enough about the time of year, let’s talk about Honey Island Swamp Tours. Just outstanding, from the price, which included hotel pickup from OUR hotel, not a hotel where many people were meeting, to the punctuality of the driver, the great knowledge of the area the driver shared on our way to the swamp, the staff at the tour starting point, the captain, everything! The captain made every effort to find as much wildlife as possible. We saw an Eagle’s nest, many different kinds of birds, snakes in trees, which were very difficult to see, but our guide was super patient until everybody said they saw it, four small alligators, and, the highlight for me, about seven raccoon that our guide coaxed out by whistling. So much fun. Would highly recommend this company. Sure wish I could remember the guide’s name, as he was quite humorous and knowledgeable even though he’d had a rough night the night before. Ha
        Written March 16, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thanks for the wonderful review, so glad y’all had a great time. Thanks Paul
        Written March 20, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        trinhsharon
        San Jose, CA3 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Feb 2020
        Our pickup was a bit confusing at first since there was no information on where and what time the pickup would be, so I had to message them for that, but they were very quick to respond and we got everything answered the day of. As for the actual tour day, we got picked up in a white van with a few others. The ride was about an hour long to the swamp, but our driver was great in telling us the historical background and stories of New Orleans on our way there, which I thought was really cool. She was a very sweet lady and a pretty good driver as well, so no issues on our way to the swamp. We checked-in, waited for our boat, then we were off. Our swamp tour guide was this older man with a mustache (I forget his name, I'm sorry!) and he was awesome—great speaker and a jokester too! I wouldn't want to spoil the tour, but there were really cool stories he told. We also saw a bunch of animals—baby raccoons, a white raccoon, a boar, turtles, birds, and luckily, a baby gator too! On our way back, we got the chance to go in the gift shop and then after, we just hopped back into the van with the driver we had. On our way back, she did say she wouldn't be talking as much and would let us relax and check out our pictures and stuff, but she did continue with some historical facts here and there, which I still loved. Overall, a super awesome experience!

        SIDE NOTE: Bring a jacket!! There were areas where we would sped through to pass empty parts of the swamp, and let's just say, it goes REAL fast. My hair was a huge mess at the end LOL. So definitely bring something warm to protect yourself from the wind during those moments and maybe tie your hair up if you have long hair too!
        Written March 1, 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        springengineer
        Coralville, IA50 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Mar 2022
        I deliberated for a long time about which swamp tour to take and I am so glad I booked this one. We were picked up at the specified location on time. Captain Chris was our captain and he was highly knowledgeable about the plants and animals of the area. He taught us so much about the swamp areas and happily answered any questions we had. We saw several alligators, turtles, birds, snails, and more. The area was simple and beautiful and was a nice escape from the bustle of the French Quarter for a day. If you are looking for a company that guarantees you will see tons of alligators, keeps baby alligators on the boat for you to pose with for photographs, and feeds the alligators marshmallows (that aren't good for them) just so you can get close-up photos - you'll need to book with a different tour company. This company was respectful of the animals and the land around them and I can't recommend them enough!
        Written March 20, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        HarmonyK
        12 contributions
        4.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jan 2020
        Our tour was scheduled for Sunday but rain was forecast so we asked to change it to Saturday. They were very accommodating. They had room on the boat but had to find a driver to get us to the dock. They found one right away and Mr. Miller came right on time. The tour was fun and informative. Too cold for alligators but we saw birds, raccoons and some huge boars.
        Written January 31, 2020
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        foody3
        3 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Feb 2021
        Awesome tour with boat Captain "Sonny" who was very knowledgeable about the area and habitat of the area! Has been guiding these tours for quite some time and grew up around the area and knows the History around the island. We really enjoyed his anecdotes and Humor and he was very engaging with all of the Passengers! Highly recommend this tour and hopefully you get "Sonny" as your tour guide! Shout out to Rene' the bus driver who shared a lot of information about what we were passing along the drive to Slidell and gave a lot of the History of events during the Hurricane Katrina.
        Thanks for the memories!
        Written March 1, 2021
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank you so much for coming out and enjoying the beautiful honey island swamp . We are happy you enjoyed your self .
        Written March 4, 2021
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Andee2s
        Kennett Square, PA4 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Oct 2021
        Very much enjoyed our swamp tour. Captain Roy was great and very knowledgeable. It was definitely chilly on our morning tour but he made sure to stop often, to warm up as well as tell us about the history of the local area. We did see some wildlife though not as much due to the early morning and chill. Capt Roy got an alligator to come by for marshmallows as he says “all the animals love marshmallows”. Don’t we all lol. It was a great tour. They pick you right up from your NOLA hotel, takes about 45-60 minutes to get to the location and then about 2 hours on the boat. We picked this particularly because it was not an air boat. Still had some fast speeds but the noise was minimal. Would recommend if wanting to explore the bayou. Very peaceful and beautiful.
        Written October 22, 2021
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thank yall so much for taking time and letting us know you enjoyed your tour.
        Written November 26, 2021
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Michael A
        10 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jun 2023 • Family
        Happy to get out of the city for a morning and experience some Louisiana nature. Nathan picked us up at the front door of the hotel. Transportation Included was key! Nice drive and New Orleans geography tour along the way. Captain Hunter did an excellent job educating both the adults and kiddos on board the boat. Saw plenty of gators and other critters. Highly recommended for families.
        Written June 10, 2023
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

        ElizaTaylor
        London, UK18 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Jul 2022
        Highly recommend for anyone interested in the flora and fauna of a Louisiana swamp. Easy pickup and return direct from New Orleans with friendly, knowledgeable guides and staff. One of the highlights of our trip as we saw around 20 alligators, a family of baby raccoons, egrets and more. Covered boat makes the trip worth it regardless of the weather.
        Written July 9, 2022
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
        Thanks for visiting. Happy you enjoyed experience.
        Written July 10, 2022
        This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

        Kirstin P
        Durham, NC26 contributions
        5.0 of 5 bubbles
        Mar 2024 • Family
        Excellent tour all around! We especially enjoyed our time with Connie, our driver, who shared her incredible stories about the history as well as her life in New Orleans. Honestly, meeting Connie was worth the price of admission by itself! What a gem of a person. The tour was fantastic. The waterways are serene and beautiful. We enjoyed the scenery, the wildlife and our guide enriched the experience with stories about this beautiful place. Highly recommend this business and experience!
        Written March 29, 2024
        This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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        Honey Island Swamp Boat Tour with Transportation from New Orleans provided by Dr. Wagner's Honey Island Swamp Tours

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