America · BOAT TOURS IN NEW ORLEANS
One spare day, a hundred options. These 15 boat tours in New Orleans earn the slot, priced and timed so you can pick in a couple of minutes.
Natchez Jazz Cruise from the French Quarter with Dukes of Dixieland and an optional Creole buffet dinner aboard a classic paddlewheel ship.
“We waited an over an hour to move. Tour lasted like a half hour. It was dark so you could not see much.”
Honey Island Swamp boat tour from New Orleans with transport, a quiet 22-passenger boat, Cajun village views, and wildlife spotting.
“We traveled in a covered boat through a beautiful swamp, filled with alligators, turtles, snakes and adorable raccoons. Even though it rained (more like a mist) we didn't care. I loved learning about the people, the community, the history, even how to catch a crawfish. Our guide Will was fun, knowledgeable and kept us well-entertained. The bus ride to the swamp was about 40 minutes but our driver Derek kept us amused with his strong opinions about food and restaurants and his stories about New Orleans. About my only criticism--and this is small--I would like to have had a choice about where to pick up the bus. We walked nearly…”
Sail 2 hours on the Mississippi aboard the Natchez, with live jazz and history commentary. Optional Southern buffet lunch available.
“It was really fun! Maybe not the most scenic river tour, but the history and getting to see one of the busiest ports in the country was a unique experience. They had what looked like pretty good food on board, and the band that played a set of two was a classic New Orleans jazz band, and they were excellent. If I were a seven year old boy again I would have gone wild looking at all the ships and machinery”
Two hours on a New Orleans steamboat with the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland, captain narration, cocktails, and optional Creole dinner.
“Enjoyed the food the band and the scenery very good tour”
2-hour Steamboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS jazz cruise on the Mississippi. Live Stompers, captain narration, optional Creole lunch sampler.
“Loved it!! Food was amazing!! Drinks delicious!!! Service was great!!! Will definitely do again!!!!”
Swamp boat plus Oak Alley or Destrehan from New Orleans. See alligators, wildlife, and antebellum plantations on a full-day tour.
“Bus ride to plantation particularly for out of town visitor was relaxing. Plantation house, garden were magnificent. Slave homes, stories and exhibitions enlightening. Tour guides very informative and relevant. Swamp tour was an interesting and informative experience. Great day!”
Small-boat Honey Island Swamp tour from Slidell. Cajun stories, close wildlife viewing, and a boat-only village. 2 hours, $37.75.
“Jody was the best tour guide I would recommend him being your tour guide. I enjoyed the whole experience and would definitely would be visiting again.”
Paddlewheeler Creole Queen takes you from New Orleans down the Mississippi to Chalmette Battlefield, with onboard history and park ranger talks.
“Amazing commentary from a knowledgeable Oxford educated man (forgot his name)while cruising down the river. Went to the battlefield and had amazing historical info from a park ranger. Both were truly captivating. We left saying it was the best excusion ever!”
Cruise the Barataria Swamps on a roofed, narrated boat from Marrero, passing Cajun and Indigenous landmarks while watching for gators.
“This was amazing!! The captain was entertaining, knowledgeable and very had a great sense of humor. We saw lots of alligators and the weather was perfect.”
Pontoon ride through Manchac Bayou with narrated Cajun lore, wildlife sightings, optional New Orleans pickup, plus Oak Alley stop.
“Amazing experience. My only recommendation, if you're planning to go on this tour, is to book your transportation from New Orleans in advance. Uber/Lyft has a hard time getting to this area.”
A narrated paddlewheeler cruise to Chalmette Battlefield with ranger-led history, optional Creole lunch, and cocktails on the Mississippi.
“Be more transparent about disembarking at Chalmette Battlefield for folks with mobility issues (wheelchair/scooters). There are stairs that cannot be traversed with either the wheelchair or scooter.”
2-hour Paddlewheeler Creole Queen jazz cruise with skyline views and optional Creole dinner on the Mississippi, $60.
“I enjoyed the dinner and the ride was very relaxing!”
New Orleans guided swamp cruise in the Barataria marshes. Spot alligators and birds, learn Cajun life. 100 minutes on the water.
“This tour was amazing from start to finish our driver Keith was hilarious on journey from hotel pick up to the swamp tour he was brilliant and the tour itself was amazing the captain Ernie was excellent very knowledgeable about the area and gave us lots of great information about our surroundings the Bayou/ swamp was an incredible environment to see such a beautiful place and I loved gliding through the water looking at the beautiful trees and plant life we saw a few awesome birds and off course the highlight of the trip was seeing all the alligators I was prepared for us to maybe not see any due…”
Sunday on the Mississippi with live jazz, full deck views, and an optional Creole brunch buffet on a working steamboat.
“A very nice intimate quiet brunch...employees and staff were friendly n very helpful...good memories with my daughter....I had experienced this with my mother for the lunch brunch...it was a great memory for me and now I am passing it on...”
A single day pairing Oak Alley’s iconic Greek Revival Big House with a narrated Manchac Swamp pontoon ride, with drinks and snacks available.
“History of the plantation and loved the swamp tour”
Every kind of day out, and the best of each.
