Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans

Alligators, cypress trees and a plantation home with 28 oak-lined acres

This combination tour from New Orleans pairs a private swamp boat ride with a guided tour of either Oak Alley or Destrehan Plantation, departing at 9am, 11am or 1pm. The swamp portion lasts roughly 1.5 hours on a boat captained by a local Cajun, and the plantation visit includes a docent-led tour of the home plus self-guided access to the grounds. Round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle and a live English-speaking guide are included. Food and drinks are available for purchase.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Oak Alley PlantationEntry included2h
2. New Canal Lighthousepassing by

Swamp boat ride and plantation tour

• Depart New Orleans at 9am or 11am
• Enjoy 1.5 hour Oak Alley guided tour
• Self-guided tour of plantation grounds
• Take photos at Oak Alley Plantation
• View New Canal Lighthouse from boat
• See Mississippi River spillway
• Swamp boat ride with wildlife viewing
• Listen to Cajun captain stories
• Enjoy beverage and snack pavilion
• Return to New Orleans by 4:45pm or 6:45pm

The experience

Seven and a half hours from New Orleans gets you into a 630-square-mile private wildlife refuge where the only boat you'll see is yours. The swamp boat ride cuts through moss-draped cypress trees and brackish water, and a local Cajun captain narrates what you're passing: alligators, egrets, raccoons, snakes, and the plants that hold the wetland together. The refuge is privately owned, which means no crowding and no other tour groups competing for the same sightlines. You'll have time for a beverage and snack from the open-air pavilion once you're back on land.

The plantation portion depends on your departure time. The 9am and 11am tours go to Oak Alley, where a docent walks you through the plantation home and you're free to roam the grounds on your own: 28 acres lined with oak trees, plenty of angles for photographs, and a snack bar if you want a Mint Julep or refreshment. The 1pm departure heads to Destrehan Plantation instead, a shorter day overall at 5 hours and 30 minutes. All tours return to New Orleans by early evening, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles the drive both ways with a guide providing narration along River Road.

The tour departs from a convenient point in the French Quarter, a short walk from most downtown hotels: no hotel pickup is included, so you'll meet the group at the departure location. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or in a stroller. Service animals are welcome. Oak Alley is a smoke-free facility, and wheelchair access may require alternate routes due to uneven and narrow paths on the plantation grounds.

What’s included

• Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a private swamp boat ride with a local Cajun captain.
• a docent-guided tour of the plantation home.
• self-guided access to the plantation grounds.
• narration from a live English-speaking guide throughout the day.

Information

Lasts 7h 45m, runs every day at 09:00 and 11:00, from US$ 131 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 11:00

GroupUp to 28

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.5 with pickup ›

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line New Orleans

Is this one for you?Pick the 9am or 11am start if you want both swamp and Oak Alley in one day. Choose 1pm for Destrehan instead if you prefer a later departure and earlier return to the city.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see on the swamp boat ride?

The swamp boat ride takes you through a private Louisiana wetland where alligators, egrets, raccoons and snakes are common sightings. A local Cajun captain shares information about the plants and animals you encounter as you move through the moss-draped cypress trees.

How long do I spend at Oak Alley Plantation?

Your Oak Alley experience lasts roughly 1.5 hours and includes a docent-guided tour of the plantation home followed by self-guided access to the grounds, where you can walk the 28 oak-lined acres and take photographs at your own pace.

What's the difference between the 9am/11am tour and the 1pm departure?

The 9am and 11am departures visit Oak Alley Plantation and run 7 hours and 45 minutes total, returning at 4:45pm and 6:45pm. The 1pm departure goes to Destrehan Plantation instead and is shorter at 5 hours and 30 minutes, returning at 6:30pm.

Is hotel pickup included in this tour?

Hotel pickup is not included. You'll meet the tour at a departure point in the French Quarter that's a short walk from most downtown hotels. Round-trip transport between that location and the swamp and plantation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

What food and drinks are available?

Food and drinks are available for purchase at both the swamp pavilion and at Oak Alley Plantation's snack bar, where you can order refreshments like a Mint Julep.