On the Water
2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 97% of travelers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$92
per adult
Kayak Swamp Tours
Kayak Swamp Tours
5
Boat ToursWater SportsFishing Charters & ToursSightseeing ToursKayaking & Canoeing
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
Come explore the swamps around New Orleans with sit-on-top kayak eco-tour. Glide past cypress trees and delicate tendrils of Spanish moss during your swamp tour led by informative guides. Be informed of the historical and cultural influence the swamps around New Orleans had on the city. We also offer extended, fishing, crabbing & full day adventures where you will Kayak, Visit a authentic Cajun Restaurant, and tour a plantation. If we have to cancel due to weather, we do our best to get you rescheduled, if we cannot reschedule you, we will refund your purchase. All tours are guided and beginner friendly. Paddles up!
New Orleans, Louisiana
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Kayak Swamp Tours
Kayaking Tours
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$40
per adult
Day Trips
6+ hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 96% of travelers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$199
per adult
Day Trips
6 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 100% of travelers
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$175
per adult
On the Water
4 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$250
per adult
Travelers talk about
Contribute
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
5.0
1,522 reviews
Excellent
1,383
Very good
104
Average
22
Poor
6
Terrible
7
Sydney W
5 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
The trip was overall very interesting and fun to lean about. Our guide was knowledgeable! Due to the hurricane, there was some hidden logs in the water that made navigating a bit more tricky - but overall an amazing experience. Saw alligators, an owl, bald eagle, large snail, turtle and learned a lot about the ecosystem! The weather was perfect when we went as well - recommend going on an overcast day in the 60s or 70s.
Written October 11, 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.
Lana N
4 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
The Mystic Swamp Wildlife Kayak Tour was a great experience during our three-day stay in New Orleans! We saw a few alligators, including a lil baby, and a massive bald eagles nest with said eagles. Kayaking through the bayou was super peaceful and our tour guide Bingo made the experience educational, insightful and thought provoking as well! He was super knowledgeable about the issues facing the ecosystem as well as the some of the history of Louisiana. All of that and he also made the tour incredibly fun with his great sense of humor and jokes. 🐊
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.
Doyin I
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Couples
We had an amazing time on this tour! Bingo was very knowledgeable- a great guide and most importantly patient with us (first time kayakers). Our group had a range of beginners and professionals alike, and we all had a blast. Would highly recommend, we learned a lot of remarkable history and saw some creatures while navigating!
Written January 1, 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.
BonnieAndPumpkin
San Jose, California22 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
I did this two-hour Manchac Swamp kayak tour, led by AJ. It was my first time kayaking, and I had an absolute blast! The swamp was beautiful and serene, and even though our group didn't see any alligators, we did see some birds, a snail, and interesting mushrooms.
Seeing the swamp via kayak was so much better than going on an airboat. We got to kayak through some narrow passages and really feel immersed in nature.
AJ did a great job of pointing out interesting things to look at, and he also spoke about how the hurricanes have affected the area, as well as how global warming is endangering this beautiful environment. "Fleeting" is the word he used.
My only gripe is that it was at times hard to hear AJ given how spread out the group could be in some parts of the swamp. I would recommend sticking close to your guide if you care about hearing everything.
I appreciated the convenient pick-up location, the drop-offs, and all the supplies AJ brought. This was an excellent experience, and I plan to do the Honey Island kayak tour next time I'm in New Orleans.
Seeing the swamp via kayak was so much better than going on an airboat. We got to kayak through some narrow passages and really feel immersed in nature.
AJ did a great job of pointing out interesting things to look at, and he also spoke about how the hurricanes have affected the area, as well as how global warming is endangering this beautiful environment. "Fleeting" is the word he used.
My only gripe is that it was at times hard to hear AJ given how spread out the group could be in some parts of the swamp. I would recommend sticking close to your guide if you care about hearing everything.
I appreciated the convenient pick-up location, the drop-offs, and all the supplies AJ brought. This was an excellent experience, and I plan to do the Honey Island kayak tour next time I'm in New Orleans.
Written January 17, 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.
Bryana M
3 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Tour guide Alex was fabulous!!! So accommodating and a very fun time. He chose a restaurant for lunch based on our group’s diet restrictions and answered all of our questions. The swamp tour was outstanding. Couldn’t ask for a better guide. We appreciate you!!
Written May 5, 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.
Kraig Thayer Rasmussen
2 contributions
Mar 2020
Our tour guide, Will was very informative. He spoke on the history of the swamp including the settlement of the area, native people, invasive species both flora and fauna, climate concerns and flooding, etc. I saw herons, cattle egrets and alligators. Will identified the different trees, the swamp plant life and animals.
I totally enjoyed the experience.
Thank you Will and everyone at Nola!
I totally enjoyed the experience.
Thank you Will and everyone at Nola!
Written March 12, 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.
Nick D
2 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
We participated in both the kayak and plantation tours. We saw a ton of wildlife (6 alligators, a barred owl, and a limpet) on our kayak tour. Our guide (NickM) was very knowledgeable of the plants, wildlife, and history of the swamp. We felt completely safe and comfortable throughout our time on the water. We definitely recommend it.
Written October 24, 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.
Nik
3 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
HIGHLY recommend the Shell Bank 1/2 Day Extended Bayou Adventure with New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours. Our tour guide Nick made the 4 hours educational, adventurous, and a really enjoyable time for our group (4 of us and Nick). His love for the environment/animals and paddling was contagious and his eye for spotting wildlife was fantastic (alligators, turtles, bald eagles including a youngin’ in the nest, owls, raccoons, and much more). If you enjoy kayaking or nature, do yourself a favor and book this half day adventure on the water. It was my favorite part of my 8 days in New Orleans.
Written March 23, 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.
Cait B
Fairfield, CT14 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
The kayak tour and our guide, AJ, were great. Really enjoyable way to see parts of New Orleans outside of the city. AJ was incredibly knowledgeable, dynamic, and funny he really made the journey! We got to see alligators, bald eagles, owls, jumping fish, osprey, and so much more. It was really valuable to hear about the history of the swamps and learn about the things people have done to destroy this natural barrier and the efforts they are making to build it back up. AJ picked us up in the French quarter and dropped us off back at our hotel, making the trip out to the swamp simple and convenient. We would HIGHLY recommend AJ as a guide and the kayak tour!!
Written March 28, 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.
Deborah b
Colorado Springs, CO26 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
This tour guide Bingo made the tour. We did the tour in a cold time of year so no alligators etc but Bingo made up for it with his wealth of knowledge and concerns for the wetlands. A very balanced oratory on the way we got to where we are and concerns for both sides of the way forward, very bright young man and well researched presentation.
Written January 11, 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.
One of my kids is really anxious about alligators. How close do you get to them and does is it ever feel unsafe?
Written April 22, 2021
We saw one little alligator (although it sounded like that was about as big as they get here). It just swam along the bank for a bit, and then it disappeared quickly. They're definitely more afraid of us than we are of them. At least in my experience, if you weren't wanting to get closer/see them, you could easily stay so far away you wouldn't even know he was there. Never felt remotely unsafe (and I was also a little worried before I went).
Written August 14, 2021
Hi! I'm looking to book a tour in mid May. What will be the best time of day to attend to see wildlife but avoid the mid afternoon sun. Thanks.
Written February 23, 2020
Early morning...or late afternoon. Personally, I like very early mornings. Lots of wildlife about. Bring bug spray in May!
Written February 24, 2020
I heard its better to purchase the tour directly throught your website?
Written February 5, 2020
It's best to contact them through their website with any questions you might have. Great tour!
Written February 5, 2020
I'm really considering doing this tour with my friend, I've only been kayaking once before so I'm a bit nervous. Question is, I've very afraid of snakes, and I saw something that said we could possibly see snakes. With my inexperience kayaking and the fear, is this a bad combination?
Written August 26, 2019
Snake's are pretty rare, and like most folks have said, the kayaking isn't very strenuous.
Written September 3, 2019
Is it a safe experience? I know I’m probably just worrying excessively but I’m not used to this kind of part of the world.
Written July 5, 2019
I’ll be traveling to NOLA solo, but it will only let me book a minimum of 2 people. Is there any way I can join a group or go kayaking solo? I’ll be so bummed if I can’t!
Written September 8, 2018
Contact them. We had a solo on our tour. If they already have their minimum they will probably take you.
Written September 8, 2018
jlp791
Orlando, Florida
Hi! How many people can be on one tour? What is the average size? Thank you
Written September 1, 2018
Is there a weight limit for the kayaks? Do you have kayaks that accommodate larger guests?
Written August 9, 2018
These are sit aboard kayaks, so you sit on top not in. As far as weight limit, I don't know. The double seaters would have to handle 500 lbs I would think.
Written August 9, 2018
In the event of bad weather conditions, will the tour continue or be cancelled? If I book a reservation for a kayak tour in advance, and there is bad weather the day of the tour (for example, causing cancellation), will I receive a refund?
Written May 22, 2018
Yes, we will reschedule or refund as necessary. Safety first! If you call to book we will hold a credit card without charging.
Written June 17, 2018
Showing results 1-10 of 22
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.