New Orleans: Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour with Pickup

Summary

Kayak the bayou with a local guide and hear ghost town tales

You’ll paddle quietly through Louisiana’s Manchac Swamp with a small group and a local naturalist guiding the way. Hear stories about lost towns beneath the waterline, spot wildlife among ancient trees, and feel the hush settle around you as sunlight flickers through Spanish moss. It’s not just scenery — it’s an experience that lingers long after your kayak glides back to shore.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll want to watch your paddle,” our guide called out, grinning as I nearly bumped into a cypress knee poking up like some old knuckle. We’d started the Manchac Swamp kayak tour just outside New Orleans — pickup was at St. Roch Market, which meant I got one last coffee before we piled into the van. It’s only about half an hour out but you can feel the city drop away fast, replaced by this kind of thick green hush. The air smelled like wet leaves and something sweet I couldn’t place — maybe wildflowers or just swamp things doing their thing.

I was nervous about tipping over (I always am), but our local guide, Marcus, had this easy way of explaining everything without making you feel dumb. He grew up nearby and kept pointing out birds — “That’s an egret, not a heron,” he corrected me gently — and bits of history I’d never heard. The ghost town of Ruddock is somewhere under all that moss and water; he told us how loggers used to float timber right where we were paddling. You could still see old pilings if you looked close enough. At one stop he scooped up some duckweed to show us how it feels — slippery, almost velvety? Hard to describe but weirdly satisfying.

The group was small (maybe eight of us?), so it felt like we could actually ask questions without holding things up. Someone asked about gators and Marcus laughed — said they’re around but mostly keep to themselves unless you bring fried chicken (he winked). Sun kept flickering through Spanish moss overhead, and every now and then there’d be this chorus of frogs that made me pause my paddling just to listen. I didn’t expect the quiet to hit so hard out there; it made me think about how much noise I’m used to back home.

We took our time heading back toward the launch site — no rush at all, which I liked. My arms were tired but in that good way, like after swimming as a kid. After we got back on land, everyone sort of lingered for a bit before climbing into vans or cars again. There’s something about drifting through those Louisiana swamps with a local guide that sticks with you longer than you’d think… I still remember the smell of cypress bark on my hands.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour

• Meet at St. Roch Market or drive
• Attend introductory kayaking lecture
• Enter kayak and start swamp tour
• Stop to learn swamp history and wildlife
• Return to launch site
• Transport back to New Orleans or depart

Top questions

How long is the Manchac Swamp kayak tour?

The tour lasts between 2–3 hours depending on group experience.

Is pickup from New Orleans included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are available from St. Roch Market near the French Quarter.

Can children join the swamp kayak tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

How far is Manchac Swamp from New Orleans?

The swamp is about a 30-minute drive from central New Orleans.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the tour.

What should I bring for the kayak tour?

You should bring comfortable clothes suitable for kayaking; everything else is provided.

Is lunch included in the Manchac Swamp kayak tour?

No lunch is included; only transportation and guiding are provided.

How many people are in each group?

The maximum group size is 14 people per booking.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip transportation from St. Roch Market in New Orleans (or you can drive yourself if you prefer), all kayaking equipment, and a guided 2–3 hour paddle through Manchac Swamp led by a knowledgeable local naturalist who shares stories along the way before returning you safely back to your starting point.