best atchafalaya swamp tour

Atchafalaya Basin Landing & Airboat Swamp Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

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.

Atchafalaya Basin Landing & Airboat Swamp Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Holiday River Towns
• Best of the River
• Attractions
• Arts/Culture
• History/Culture
• Entertainment
• Partner Posts
• Trails/Tours
• Unique/Weird

Select Page

Exciting Louisiana Swamp Tours Along The Atchafalaya River Valley!

Louisiana , Off The Road , River Blog , Things to Do , Unique & Weird | 0 |

Featured Photo by McGee’s Louisiana Swamp & Airboat Tours

The name Louisiana might bring to mind images of extravagant food, music, and celebration, but the state has much more to offer than just the otherworldly fun in New Orleans. Consider a road trip to western Louisiana to experience true Cajun country and culture. A big part of this culture is the natural beauty of the bayous and bays that house some of the most unique wildlife in the US. Think moss-draped oak trees, huge cypresses, alligators, and exotic birds, these are just a few of the sights you’ll find in Cajun country, and the only way to see it all properly is to book a Louisiana swamp tour. One great area for swamp tours ranging from guided canoe trips to Airboat tours is the Atchafalaya River Valley in between Lafayette and Baton Rouge. Picture yourself gliding effortlessly on a flat-bottomed boat, flying in an airboat, or paddling deep into the swamp water. Add a Louisiana swamp tour to your must-experience list and read on for great options for booking a tour.

Photo by Captain Caviar Swamp Tours

1. Captain Caviar Swamp Tours

If you’re looking to jump right into the fun, Captain Caviar Swamp Tours offers a lengthy 3-hour tour of the beautiful Atchafalaya National Heritage Area every day of the week. A captain with over 40 years of experience on the water guides your tour through winding bayous and rivers on near a million acres of Wilderness Cypress forest swamps, and marshland, offering a great opportunity to see much of the swamp in this area. Captain Caviar Swamp Tours has two flat-bottomed aluminum boats in their fleet, the Cajun Jack II and the Miss S, that provide both a canopy for shade and a bathroom on board. Be sure to pack snacks and drinks, including alcoholic beverages if you are over 21, to make the ride even better. Along the way, you might learn about the Cajun Ghost Coast , including ghost and pirate stories, as well as Civil War history if you ask the Caviar Captain to share some stories. Either way, this tour is great for experiencing captivating views of the natural wilderness and wildlife in an entertaining and safe environment.

Photo by Cajun Man’s Swamp Tours and Adventures

2. Cajun Man’s Swamp Tours and Adventures

For an authentic Cajun style tour, Cajun Man’s Swamp Tours and Adventures is perfect with live Cajun music playing and an experienced Louisiana native narrating the entire adventure. The tour takes place in the Bayou Black and Gibson area and embarks on a comfortable 49-passenger vessel with a covered roof deep into the beautiful cypress swamps and bayous. As an added bonus, your tour with Cajun Man’s Swamp Tours and Adventures will include plenty of places for great photo opts, and the occasional opportunity to feed the wildlife. Captain Billy Gaston was born and raised on the Louisiana bayous and has over 30 years of experience with alligators, which gives you the opportunity to learn about alligator hunting and the industry of raising alligators in south Louisiana. If a swamp tour is not hands-on enough for you, the tour company also offers a Charter Fishing Adventure where you can fish in all the best spots and reel in your own dinner.

Photo by Atchafalaya Basin Landing Airboat Swamp Tours

3. Atchafalaya Basin Landing Airboat Swamp Tours

The Atchafalaya Basin is located in the heart of Louisiana and known for its sheer volume, unparalleled natural beauty, diverse wildlife and history. A great way to explore the basin is through a swamp tour with Atchafalaya Basin Landing Airboat Swamp Tours, who can take you deep into the basin on their airboats inside some of the oldest forests in the south. Airboats are one of the best ways to travel in the swamp if you can stand the noise, which is why the crew provides ear protection, so you can enjoy the ride, the sights, and the unbelievable tales of the swamp. With five different airboats, Atchafalaya Basin landing has one of the largest airboat tour fleets in south Louisiana, each equipped with canopy tops for shade and custom stadium seating for comfort and a great view. The landing features a store, where you can buy everything you might need on the tour including groceries, beverages, ice, and fishing supplies, and the infamous Turtle’s Bar to relax at after your tour. On your tour you can expect to see alligators, nutria, some of the nearly 300 species of birds, and Louisiana’s iconic cypress trees.

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten

4. River Of Swamps Boat Tours

Another great option for seeing the sights in the Atchafalaya Basin is touring with River Of Swamps Boat Tours. River Of Swamps is unique because it offers private tours only, including the Henderson Swamp Tour and the Bayou Benoit Swamp Tour , plus an option to plan a customized bayou boat tour where you can decide the length and the locations. The first two tours range from 1 to 3 hours, though the Henderson Tour is known to be less of a tourist attraction than the Bayou Benoit Tour, giving a more authentic experience. With a tour guide who is a veteran of the US Coast Guard and a seasoned Louisiana resident, your private tour with River Of Swamps will give you an experience unlike many of the other tours with opportunities to experience breathtaking views and local culture, check and bait crawfish traps and fishing nets just like the commercial fisherman, and get out of the boat to walk through a cypress forest during the dry season.

Photo by McGee’s Louisiana Swamp & Airboat Tours

5. McGee’s Louisiana Swamp & Airboat Tours

Sometimes a wide array of options for fun is the best feature a tour company can provide, which is why McGee’s Louisiana Swamp & Airboat Tours is perfect for getting your Louisiana swamp tour fix. McGee’s offers a little bit of everything from simple swamp tours to exhilarating airboat rides. If you’re in the mood for a comfortable and relaxing ride through the Atchafalaya Basin, then their regular 90-minute tours on the swamp tour boats offer a serene and educational nature ride. The 90-minute airboat ride, on the other hand, will be exciting as you fly through the water into some of the deeper parts of the swamp. Maybe you want to appreciate the beauty of the basin at your own pace, if so McGee’s is the only location in the Atchafalaya Swamp to rent canoes and offer unguided and guided paddling trips and guided photography workshops . McGee’s Louisiana Swamp & Airboat Tours is a great place to book a tour if you’re traveling with a big group with diverse wants.

Writer , River Travel Magazine

Related Posts

Southern Gulf Coast Casinos In The Tchoutacabouffa River Valley

April 19, 2023

Burgers on the Great River Road

December 28, 2019

Tour Cape Girardeau, Missouri: 5 Unique Driving Tours

January 30, 2023

5 Kentucky Bourbon Trail Distilleries Along The Kentucky River!

March 14, 2022

Note: River Travel Magazine accepts forms of sponsorships, cash advertising, paid insertions and other compensation. The compensation received may influence the topics, posts, and content produced.

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Partner Sponsored Posts

• Sponsored Posts

Recent Posts

Things To Do

• FAQ’s
• Agritourism/Honey Farms
• Arts and Film Festivals
• Bed and Breakfasts
• Bicycle Trails
• Big River Boats
• Comedy Clubs
• Cultural Sites
• Distilleries
• Extreme Food
• Fall Farm Visits
• Fall Festivals
• Farmers Markets
• Farm to Table
• Festivals (MISC)
• Free Things to Do
• Fried Chicken
• Hidden Gems
• Historic Homes
• Interpretive Centers
• Instagram Worthy Spots
• Jewelry Shops
• Mississippi Music Cruises
• Music Festivals
• Native Sites
• Paddling Trails
• Pride on the Road
• River Views
• Roadside Attractions
• Small Towns
• Spiritual Destinations
• State Parks
• Sweet Stops & Doughnut Shops
• Unique Performances
• Unique Stays
• Virtual Vacations
• Wars, Battles, and Forts
• Wine Trails
• Winter Activities
• Zoos & Aquariums

Swamp Tours in the Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana

The Atchafalaya Basin is the nation’s largest river swamp, containing almost one million acres of the nation’s most significant bottomland hardwoods, swamps, bayous and backwater lakes.

Besides the giant cypress trees and abundant fauna, the swamp is home to a variety of alligators, turtles, snakes, birds and other wildlife.

One of the most popular things to do in Louisiana is touring the swamps!

The area between Lafayette and Baton Rouge offers a number of swamp tours, operating from communities such as Breaux Bridge, Henderson, St. Martinvile and Plaquemine.

Swamp tour operators provide a variety of options, boats, tour length and cost. Some use flat bottom boats, other airboats. Kayak and canoe tours are also available.

Some operators offer online reservations but others accept reservations only by phone. Some tours accept credit cards but others require cash, so make your plans accordingly.

We have no connection with any of the tour operators listed below ... we just know of their existence and offer their names, web addresses and phone numbers as a starting point in choosing the right tour for you and your group. We also offer links to TripAdvisor to read reviews for many of the tour companies.

List of Selected Atchafalaya Swamp Tours by City

The Atchafalaya Basin is the nation’s largest river swamp, containing about a million acres of bottomland hardwoods, swamps, bayous and backwater lakes.

An American-Indian word, " Atchafalaya" (ah-CHA-fa-LIE-ah) means long river. Established in 2006, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area stretches across 14 parishes in south-central Louisiana.

The Atchafalaya River meanders from near Simmesport southward past Pierre Part down to Morgan City and the Gulf of Mexico. The Atchafalaya Basin is a unique combination of wetlands, bayous, marshes, estuaries,and river delta area. It is often called "America's Wetland" , and covers an area 20 miles wide and 150 miles long.

Some interesting facts about the Atchafalaya Basin:

• It’s larger than the Florida Everglades.
• It’s five times more productive than any other river basin in North America.
• About 65 species of reptiles and amphibians inhabit the Basin.
• Other species of animals found in the area include the Florida panther, black bear, bobcat, nutria, mink, fox, muskrat, beaver, otter and raccoon.
• The Basin is home to the largest nesting concentration of bald eagles in the south central United States.
• There are more than 100 different species of fish and aquatic life in the Basin.
• The Basin has an estimated average annual commercial harvest of nearly 22 million pounds of crawfish.
• The Basin contains the largest contiguous bottomland hardwood forest in North America and is the largest overflow alluvial hardwood swamp in the United States.

It is among the most culturally rich and ecologically varied regions in the United States, home to the widely recognized Cajun culture as well as a diverse population of European, African, Caribbean and Native-American descent.

Video in the Atchafalaya Basin by Troy Landry

SITE MAP | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF USE | CONTACT US

Copyright © 2024 • Louisiana-Destinations.com • All Rights Reserved

Protect Your Trip »

The 11 Best Louisiana Swamp Tours

Spot alligators, birds, deer and more wildlife on these exciting boat tours.

Getty Images

Don't miss Louisiana's natural beauty during your next visit.

In addition to their famed alligators, Louisiana's swamps and bayous are home to bears, beavers, foxes, nutrias and racoons, as well as dozens of amphibian and reptile species. Moreover, hundreds of birds flitter among the moss-draped cypress trees as numerous types of fish swim below.

After weighing multiple factors, including consumer sentiment and expert opinion, U.S. News determined the following tours are the best options available for travelers curious about this distinctive part of Louisiana's landscape. What's more, many of the tour companies featured below offer transportation between area hotels and their respective swamps. (Keep in mind that certain wildlife species, such as reptiles, may not be visible year-round.)

Note: Some tour providers on this list may be running more limited operations due to COVID-19 or may impose testing or vaccine requirements. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

New Orleans: Cajun Encounters – VIP Swamp Tour

Explore the Honey Island Swamp on this small-group excursion. The flat-bottomed boats, which carry up to 10 passengers, have the ability to maneuver narrow waterways, putting travelers within close proximity of the swamp's alligators, bears, river otters and numerous types of birds, including great horned owls and bald eagles. Tour-takers consistently find the boat guides informative and entertaining, and enjoy the array of observable plant and animal life.

Tickets for the two-hour tour cost approximately $90 per person. Tours are available three times daily beginning at 9:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. with an additional seasonal tour at 5 p.m. Cajun Encounters, located on the West Pearl River in Slidell, offers pickup service from several New Orleans locations at no additional charge. Another tour using a boat that can accommodate more passengers is also available, along with a sunset swamp tour and packages that combine a swamp tour with a city bus tour or a visit to area plantations.

[View & Book Tickets: Option 1 | Option 2 .]

Breaux Bridge: Champagne's Swamp Tours – Swamp Boat Tour

The Cypress Island Nature Preserve at Lake Martin is home to hundreds of bird species, as well as alligators and other wildlife. This tour provides opportunities to see some of these spectacular creatures up close. Guides regularly win accolades for their knowledge of the local flora and fauna.

Fares start at $25 for participants 12 and older and $15 for those younger than 12. Typically, tours take place several times a day (exact times vary) and last around 60 to 90 minutes. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the company directly. The Champagne's Swamp Tours storefront in Breaux Bridge, which is approximately 50 miles southwest of Baton Rouge , opens daily at 8 a.m. (excluding some holidays). The company's boats are wheelchair-accessible.

[ View & Book Tickets .]

Marrero: Louisiana Tour Company – New Orleans Swamp Tour by Tour Boat

Glide through the wetlands within the Barataria Preserve aboard a covered boat built for comfort. Along with restrooms and cushioned seats, boats are equipped with guides who will regale you with amusing and informative commentary as you keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and sights like an ancient Native American burial mound and a Cajun fishing village.

If you provide your own transportation to Louisiana Tour Company's location in Marrero (about 20 miles south of New Orleans' French Quarter ), tickets run around $30 for adults and $15 for children 4 to 12. If you opt for hotel pickup service, the tour costs about $50 for adults and $25 for children. (Infants 3 and younger can ride for free.) The approximately 100-minute boat rides start at 9:40 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 2:10 p.m. daily with a seasonal 4:15 departure time. Pickups start at about 90 minutes prior to start time. In addition to swamp tours, the company also offers plantation and airboat tours, among other options.

[View & Book Tickets: Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 .]

Westwego: Ultimate Swamp Adventures – Covered Pontoon Swamp Boat Tour

Cruise Bayou Segnette on this excursion, which lasts nearly two hours and features captains versed in the local culture and habitat. Past participants describe the guides as highly entertaining and enlightening and report seeing many alligators and birds. Tours are offered multiple times a day all year long. They depart at 9:45 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., with an additional 6 p.m. start time in months with sufficient evening sunlight.

Tickets cost approximately $25 for adults and $15 for children 5 to 12. With pickup from New Orleans hotels, the corresponding prices are around $50 and $30. (Accompanied children 4 and younger can tag along at no charge.) Shuttle service begins about an hour prior to designated departure times. The large covered vessels can accommodate up to 68 passengers. Ultimate Swamp Adventures, located in Westwego about 10 miles from New Orleans, also offers airboat tours.

Laplace: Cajun Pride Swamp Tours – Swamp Tour

While parts of Manchac Swamp and some of Cajun Pride's facilities were damaged by Hurricane Ida in 2021, those wishing to learn about Louisiana wetlands can still do so on this tour. Cajun Pride conducts its tours on its private swamp, where no hunting or fishing is permitted, making it well-suited for observing untouched nature. Past tour-takers express enthusiasm about this New Orleans swamp tour , lauding the humorous and insightful guides as well as the ample opportunities for spotting wildlife. Cajun Pride's LaPlace location sits about 25 miles northwest of downtown New Orleans.

Ticket prices depend on whether you provide your own transportation or take advantage of the optional shuttle service. Tours without transportation start at $27 for adults and $16 for children 4 to 12. With pickup service from hotels in New Orleans, Metairie and Kenner, the corresponding costs are about $50 and $25. Throughout the year, 1 ½-tours occur three times daily at 9:30 a.m., noon and 2:15 p.m., with an additional 4:15 p.m. tour from March through October. Hotel pickup starts roughly 90 minutes prior to the standard tour times.

Henderson: Atchafalaya Basin Landing Airboat Swamp Tours – Traditional Swamp Boat Tour

The Atchafalaya Basin has bragging rights as the biggest U.S. river swamp – even bigger than the Florida Everglades . A variety of swamp creatures inhabit its nearly 1 million acres of bayous, swamps and lakes. Tourgoers consistently sing the praises of the striking scenery and the friendly, professional staff. Additionally, by opting for the swamp boat tour, you can ride through even more of the basin than during the company's namesake airboat tours.

The approximately two-hour Traditional Swamp Boat tour is offered daily at 2 p.m. Tickets start at around $40 for adults and $25 for children 10 and younger. The large boat holds up to 24 passengers. Tours aboard airboats welcoming up to 12 riders are offered several times daily, year-round.

Slidell: Dr. Wagner's Honey Island Swamp Tours

Take in the flora and fauna of the 250-square-mile Honey Island Swamp on this two-hour small-boat ride. Tour-takers appreciate the experienced guides' narrative skills as well as the opportunities to see gators, turtles and other animals. Tours take place year-round at 9 and 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. An additional 4:30 p.m. departure is available seasonally. Tours including transportation from New Orleans hotels to the company's Slidell location and back are available for the 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. tours, with pickup starting at 7:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., respectively.

Fees start at about $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and younger. With shuttle service, corresponding costs are approximately $50 and $30.

Henderson: McGee's Louisiana Swamp & Airboat Tours – Swamp Tours

Enjoy an up-close look at the Atchafalaya Basin's unique ecosystem on this 90-minute tour. Reviewers say the tour is well-suited for families with children, and applaud the guides for their insightful and compelling narration. Tours happen three times daily departing at 10 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.

start at around $30 for adults and $25 for children 3 to 12 (infants 2 and younger are allowed on board at no charge). In addition to the swamp boat tours (which welcome up to 48 passengers), rides in smaller airboats, as well as seasonal sunset tours, are also available. Henderson, where McGee's is based, is located 45 miles west of Baton Rouge.

New Orleans: New Orleans Kayak Tours – Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour

Many swamp tours rely on motorized boats to navigate Louisiana's waterways, but this tour uses kayaks to explore the peaceful Manchac Swamp. Thanks to the swamp's calm waters, this outing is suitable for paddlers of all experience levels, according to the company. Trip-takers tend to appreciate the guides' educational commentary, as well as the frequent animal sightings. Departure times may vary by season, but start times of 9 and 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. are typical. From March through September, there's an additional 4:30 p.m. departure time.

Tours last about two hours (though longer tours, as well as combo tours, are also available). Prices start at $59 per person; transportation from the French Quarter is available for an additional fee of about $20 per person.

Marrero: Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours – Swamp Airboat Tour

Traverse southern Louisiana's swamps and bayous and the canals connecting them aboard a powerful airboat on this top-rated expedition. Tour-takers generally enjoy both the numerous wildlife sightings and the informed commentary by the guides.

Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours operates multiple airboats; tour prices are determined by the size of the vessel: Tours in the larger boats carrying up to 21 passengers start at $65 per person; trips on smaller boats with capacities of 10 passengers run approximately $85 per person. Transportation between select New Orleans locations and the company's Marrero base is available for an additional fee.

Outings, which last approximately an hour and 45 minutes, occur daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and (except in winter) 4 p.m. Hotel pickup starts up to 90 minutes before tour departure times. Note: Children younger than 5 are not permitted on this tour.

Lafitte: Airboat Adventures – Small Boat Tours

This small-group excursion accommodates up to eight passengers and features a multitude of reptiles, birds and other swamp residents. Riders frequently report enjoying the high-speed trips as well as the experienced guides and, of course, the plentiful wildlife on display. Tours last approximately an hour and 45 minutes and occur several times daily. Departures at 9:45 a.m., noon and 2 and 4 p.m. are offered all year.

Prices start at $89 per person; shuttle service between New Orleans hotels and Airboat Adventures' Lafitte location is available for an additional fee of about $20 per person. Note: Airboat passengers must be at least 5 years old. The company also offers tours in its larger airboats and pontoon boats.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best New Orleans Ghost Tours
• The Best New Orleans Cemetery Tours
• The Best New Orleans Walking Tours
• The Best Things to Do in New Orleans

Tags: Tours , New Orleans , Louisiana , Travel , Vacations , Louisiana Vacations , Southeast Vacations , US Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best charleston tours.

John Rodwan April 4, 2024

The Best Napa Valley Wine Tours

Amanda Norcross April 4, 2024

The 10 Best Denver Tours

Lyn Mettler April 4, 2024

Top Memorial Day Weekend Getaways

Nicola Wood April 3, 2024

The Best Way to Renew a Passport

Amanda Norcross April 3, 2024

The Best Checked Luggage

Erin Evans , Rachael Hood , Catriona Kendall , Sharael Kolberg , Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson April 3, 2024

The Best Venice Tours

Lyn Mettler and Marisa Méndez April 2, 2024

The Best Travel Toiletry Bags

Amanda Norcross April 2, 2024

U.S. News Best Bed & Breakfasts Rankings

U.S. News Hotels Editors April 2, 2024

The Best Carry-on Backpacks

Rachael Hood , Erin Evans , Catriona Kendall , Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson March 29, 2024

Sometimes it's just more fun to find your own path and create your own adventure! McGee's is the only location in the Atchafalaya Swamp that rents canoes and offers unguided paddling trips through the swamp, as well as guided photography workshops.

Whether you're new to paddling or a seasoned adventurer, the vastness of the Atchafalaya Swamp and our trails will be able to accommodate you and your group's thirst for exploration. Paddling offers a unique and eco-friendly way to experience the swamp by quietly gliding among the trees, and not disturbing the wildlife.

Our photo tours are designed to make sure you leave the area with not only great keepsakes, but images to be proud of. During a 3-hour guided tour, you will learn about the swamp, and the techniques for best photographing this amazing environment.

2 HOUR CANOE RENTALS

Rent our 2-person canoes and paddling gear (life jacket and paddle) for 2 hours, which will allow you to experience a little taste of paddling in the swamp. Perfect for new paddlers or those looking to explore the swamp at their own pace!

Rentals available Monday - Sunday

Daily rental times at 9:00 AM, 10:00AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00PM and 3:00 PM

Boat & Gear Rental:

Adult: $25.00

Children (5-11 Years): $20.00

Children (0-4 Years): FREE

Minimum Rental per Canoe = $45.00

Maximum 2 Adults per Canoe

MUST BE 18+ YEARS OLD WITH VALID I.D. TO RENT PADDLING GEAR

AVAILABLE BEGINNING ON APRIL 15TH!

GUIDED PHOTOGRAPHY EXCURSIONS

Regardless of whether you're a serious photographer looking to add to your portfolio, or an amateur trying to hone your skills, these 3-hour long tours will teach you about photography and the swamp, all while helping you capture the best images! Tours are available during the best lighting at sunrise and sunset.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR TOUR! Please call 337-228-2384 to check on availability.

Photo Guide & Boat or Canoe Rental: $250.00/person

Maximum 4 People per Tour

*Participants are required to provide their own camera equipment, and McGee's is not responsible for any damage that may occur to personal equipment.

**Please note that water levels and distance to locations will determine whether canoes or motorized boats will be used.

• Welcome to the swamp
• (337) 228-1094
• [email protected]

Watch the video

View the maps, apply for grants.

• Swamp Tours
• Outdoor Recreation

Wetland Boat & Swamp Tours

Where else would you find the most intriguing wetland tours but in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area?  Check out all the listings below for a wide variety of independently owned and operated boat and swamp tours. For more information about a specific tour or to make a reservation, contact the tour operator directly:

Traditional Tour

So, how does it work, pick date & time, arrive 15 mins before, enjoy your ride, share your experience, what you might see on our atchafalaya airboat swamp tours, is there a bathroom, are life jackets required on swamp tours, should i bring bug or mosquito spray, can we bring food and drinks onto the boat during the tour.

   Swamp Tour -$25 per seat - 1.5 hrs - Lafayette - Louisiana

For a swamp tour that is more than just a boat ride.

About Cajun Country Swamp Tours

  Owner, Walter “Butch” Guchereau, grew up on a small Cajun farm located on the banks of the Bayou Teche in Breaux Bridge, La. From early on his father introduced him to the swamps of Cajun Country. By hunting, sport and commercial fishing and just plain exploring he came to know the swamps like his own backyard. Butch put himself through college by working summers on dredge boats located in Louisiana on the Mississippi and Atchafalaya River systems where he experienced the dynamic forces that have built the land of Acadiana over the last 25,000 years. He learned how the rivers, bayous, wetland areas, man’s interventions and coastal erosion are all intertwined and constantly changing. The time he has spent in the swamplands of Cajun Country coupled with college degrees in Zoology and Botany has given Butch a rich insight into the ecology of Louisiana swamps.

This knowledge has been taught to Cajun Country Swamp Tour boat captains to make your tour educational, entertaining, and enjoyable ( More than just a boat ride ). Your swamp tour is taken personally by us because we know that for many of you this maybe your only trip to Cajun Country and it is important to us that everyone’s swamp tour in Cajun Country is both pleasurable and memorable. 

Our tour boats are open Cajun crawfish skiffs powered by an extremely quiet, environmentally friendly, 4-stroke outboard motor with the water intake fixed so that shallow water muck and thick vegetation are not a problem. This very quiet motor, and the relatively small size of the swamp tour boat allows for some great wildlife viewing.

My swamp tour guides and I have spent most of our lives either learning about or earning an income from the swamps of Cajun Co untry - this is where we want to be. The swamps are our passion and Joie de Vivre (Joy of Life), and sharing a few hours with people who love and enjoy nature and the great outdoors is an enjoyable experience for us. Our personal experiences and observations along with my educational background enables us to give you an insightful eco-journey into the swamplands of the Atchafalaya Basin that is educational, enjoyable and entertaining; and just maybe with a serving of Cajun Hospitality this will not be your only trip to Cajun Country.

Located only minutes from Lafayette; an hour from Baton Rouge; 1.5 hours from Lake Charles; and 2.5 hrs from New Orleans, Louisiana... In the heart of Cajun Country!

Slide title

 For the Love of Nature!

Master tour guide , Shawn Guchereau touring since 2011 

We see alligators all year round

Tour boat for larger groups or multi-group tours. Seats 20

Gorgeous sunset tours!

upclose and personal

One of the best bird watching areas in North America

Roseate Spoonbills

Great Blue Heron 

White Egret "Plumes!"

Black-bellied whistling tree ducks

Black-Crowned Night Heron.

Awwe, It's a Baby owl :)

Turtle Drama ?

A bird eating an alligator... Whaaat???

You would've had to have been there!

Smile for the camera !

An Aww (sha) gator

AWw  (sha) gators hatch around September

 Lake Martin is zoned as a non-commercial area...there is no office or store front when you arrive. Tour guides meet all guests at the Lake Martin public boat landing for departure. Look for our blue banner next to the boat dock. Please be sure to make a bathroom stop before you arrive and also PLEASE watch your speed down Lake Martin road. Thank you:)

South entryway to the lake is closed at Prarie hwy 353. Please use front entrance at Hwy 31 to Lake Martin rd. If your gps has you turning onto prarie hwy, pass it up and it will reroute you to the front entrance. Please call us if you have any questions.

Cajun Country Swamp Tours

337-319-0010

1209 Rookery road, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana 70517

                                  Copyright © All Rights Reserved.

The Atchafalaya Swamp Was Named The Most Beautiful Place In Louisiana And We Have To Agree

Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.

More by this Author

One of the most beautiful natural wonders in the country is right in our own backyard, and it’s just a paradise for nature lovers. Stretching for over 140 miles from Simmesport to the Gulf of Mexico, the Atchafalaya Basin is the nation’s largest river swamp, and we are lucky enough to have it right in our backyard. People travel from all over the world to see it, and it’s no wonder why it’s considered one of the most beautiful places in the US and one of the greatest natural wonders in the US :

Related Stories

9 Stunning Louisiana Beaches That Look And Feel Like The Ocean

If You Didn’t Know About These 8 Swimming Holes In Louisiana, They’re A Must Visit

5 Lazy Rivers In Louisiana That Are Perfect For Tubing On A Summer’s Day

For more information about this picture-perfect swamp, check out the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area’s website and give them a follow on Facebook .

Have you ever explored the Atchafalaya River Basin? Let us know!

Check out some of our favorite natural areas in Louisiana for more outdoor adventures.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more Louisiana in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Louisiana!

Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!

An error occured.

More to Explore

Outdoor attractions in louisiana.

What's the best swamp boat tour in Louisiana?

Many of the best swamp boat tours in Louisiana are owned and operated by locals who have grown up in these waters, and they love sharing their knowledge with you. Here are some of the best swamp tours in Louisiana:

• Cajun Encounters : Offers several different swamp tours, including a moonlight tour through the Honey Island Swamp.  
• Champagne’s Cajun Swamp Tours : Operated out of Lake Martin in Breaux Bridge, offers several different tours through the Atchafalaya.  
• McGee’s Swamp Tours : Offers different tours through the Atchafalaya including a unique airboat tour, where you can traverse through marshy areas that pontoon boats cannot.  

Check out this article for more swamp boat tours in Louisiana .  

What’s the most scenic drive in Louisiana?

The Creole Nature Trail is highly regarded to be one of the most scenic drives in Louisiana. The 180-mile All-American Road takes you through southwestern Louisiana from Lake Charles down to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stop off and admire the views, including the Wetland Walkway Trail within the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Once you get to the coast, you can check out both Holly Beach and Rutherford Beach . Both allow camping on the beach, and both are great for finding seashells.

Related Articles

• 8 Pristine Hidden Beaches Throughout Louisiana You've Got To Visit This Summer
• The Small Town Lake In Louisiana That's An Idyllic Summer Day Trip
• The Underrated Louisiana Lake That Just Might Be Your New Favorite Summer Destination
• The One Pristine Inland Beach In Louisiana That Will Make You Swear You're On The Coast
• The Amazing Sandy Beach Every Louisianan Will Want To Visit
• This Airbnb On The Gulf Of Mexico In Louisiana Is One Of The Coolest Places To Spend The Night
• We Bet You Didn't Know There Was A Miniature Denali In Louisiana
• This State Park In Louisiana Has A Secret Beach Where The Water Is Simply Mesmerizing

Explore Louisiana

• National & State Parks
• Natural Wonders
• On the Water
• Parks & Gardens
• State Parks

Featured Addresses

What can I Expect on this Louisiana Swamp Tour?

My tour lasts from a minimum of two or three hours, depending on which area customers book. Due to the long length of the tour and the fact that it is personalized makes my tour the best value in Louisiana. If you are only traveling through Louisiana once and your time is limited, a swamp tour into the interior of the Atchafalya Basin is where you want to travel!

We will be exploring part of largest contiguous forested wetland in North America, the Atchafalaya Basin. The average difference in water levels from season to season can be as much as 8-9 feet depending on the amount of water coming from the Mississippi River. As the water rises and falls, it provides different habitats for different flora and fauna, making every swamp tour truly unique. We will experience breathtaking views, cypress trees, local culture, and native wildlife.  We may even check and bait crawfish traps and fishing nets just like the commercial Fisherman do that make a living in the swamps. On occasions, we may stop and meet commercial Fisherman. During dry season (fall) we make get out of the boat and walk through a cypress forest. This tour is a great adventure for people of all ages. 

Who is my Cajun Swamp Tour Guide?

My name is Ronnie Briscoe. I am the holder of a United States Coast Guard Captains License. I am legally licensed to provide tours and fishing trips in Louisiana. Always ask your tour guide to show you his or her USCG license before you board their vessel. I am trained for water navigation, safety, and first aid, with thousands of hours on the water and woods in and near the Atchafalya Basin. I have recreational and commercial fished for different species of fish, using rod and reels, crawfish traps, hoop nets and other methods, traveling the west side of the Atchafalya River Basin by boat, looking for those out of the way

Will we Feed Wild Alligators?

This is not a alligator tour. We see only wild alligators in their natural habitat. We do not feed alligators or any wildlife. American alligators are more timid and less aggressive than people think. They are naturally afraid of people. It is ra re for a human to be attacked by an alligator. Attacks are more likely when an alligator is being fed or if it is around people often. This makes them used to people and they become less afraid of humans. These type of alligators are more likely to become a nuisance and possibly dangerous and end up being killed or relocated. However, wild alligators tend to stray away from the sight of humans unless you are too close to their nest or their baby alligators We strive to provide the most genuine and authentic experience possible. Feeding wildlife consistently encourages animals to become reliant on that food source rather than feeding naturally. Besides, there are plenty of species of fish and shellfish that they can snack on in the Atchafalaya Basin! 

R. Williams

Great fun and experience. My family and I had a great time with Ronnie on the swamp if a swamp tour is what you want I HIGHLY recommend River of swamp boat tours.

This is a great tour!!!

Our family (including an almost 3 year old lil girl) went on the long tour with Ronnie around the middle of August. It was very nice, informative, beautiful scenery. Ronnie is a fantastic guide!

Where will the Cajun Swamp Tours Start?

My swamp tours adventures will begin from two different boat launch areas. One, by far, even if it’s out of the way, will be the best for customers who want to travel into the interior of the basin, will last for three hours, will be out of the Bayou Bennoit boat landing on the West Atchafalya Basin Levee near Lake Fauscee Point State Park. The second area will be from the public boat launch between the Interstate 10 bridge at the Butte LaRose exit. This tour will last about two hours. Even though it’s not like my interior basin swamp tour, you will still get a good feel for how things are in the Atchafalya Basin swamp. Plenty of alligators and wildlife If customers don’t have a lot time this is a great area to explore.