Cajun Encounters’ Honey Island Swamp Tour: A Wild New Orleans Adventure
If you want a New Orleans experience that isn’t beads, beignets, or Bourbon Street, book a tour of Honey Island Swamp. Cajun Encounters runs the area’s most popular small‑boat tours, and it’s exactly the kind of family‑friendly, story‑rich adventure filled with so many “you won’t believe this” moments.
My brother-in-law and I booked our adventure during a two-day visit to The Big Easy. The tour does take up several hours of your day, but I promise it’s worth it.
Here are the things you need to know to book your guided swamp tour in New Orleans.
What to Expect on the Honey Island Swamp Tour
Cajun Encounters operates small, open‑air boats that glide through narrow channels and wide marshes of the Honey Island Swamp. The moment you leave the dock, the scenery shifts into a world of cypress trees, Spanish moss, and quiet waterways that feel untouched. It’s relaxing and heart-pounding at the same time.
Guides are locals who know the swamps inside and out. Their history, ecology, and folklore. Guides point out wildlife, share stories about the area, and explain how the ecosystem works. The tour is smooth, safe, and great for kids — but still adventurous enough to feel like you’re exploring something wild.
RELATED TRAVEL ARTICLE: Book a kayak swamp tour near New Orleans
If you need transportation from your French Quarter hotel to the boat launch site, that’s available through Cajun Encounters.
What will you experience on your tour? Here are a few things that make the tours amazing.
- Calm waters and shaded routes
- Close‑up wildlife encounters (but not too close for comfort… expect that one snake that caught me by surprise)
- Plenty of time for photos and videos
- A mix of education, humor, and Cajun storytelling
Wildlife You’ll See on the Tour
Honey Island Swamp is one of the most biodiverse wetlands in Louisiana, and Cajun Encounters knows exactly where the animals like to hide.
Alligators (big and small)
You’ll see gators of all sizes — tiny juveniles perched on logs and massive adults cruising through the water. Spotting some of the smaller gators can be tough, but the guides seem to know exactly how to spot them. Warm days mean more activity, but sightings happen year‑round. Just know that during the cooler months, the gators are more docile.
Raccoons
These swamp raccoons are surprisingly social. They often wander down to the shoreline when they hear the boat, giving you a close look at their curious expressions. Some of the people on our boat even had the chance to hand-feed the raccoons; Okay, stick feed them, because feeding them out of your own hand would be asking for trouble.
When I sent photos to my family about the raccoons, they didn’t believe they were real. They are very real and so adorable.
Wild Pigs
Feral hogs roam the swamp and frequently appear along the banks. They’re bold, bristly, and always a crowd favorite. Our guide was great at getting the wild pigs over to the shoreline.
Snakes
Most snakes stay tucked on branches above the water. Guides point them out from a safe distance, and it’s fascinating to see how well they blend into the trees. During our tour, I spotted a snake in a little tree nest about two feet from my face. Since it was “sleeping”, my reaction wasn’t to scream, but rather to get my camera our and snap some even closer pictures.
The guide informed us the snakes aren’t venomous. If one falls into the boat, people are more likely to die of a heart attack than a snakebite. Had my wife been along on the ride with me, her reaction to the snake would’ve been a lot more vocal.
Birds
Herons, egrets, osprey, and even owls make regular appearances. The swamp is a peaceful place for birdwatching, especially in the early morning. I wish I would’ve brought my larger camera with a telephoto lens to capture more of the birds we saw. Guess I’ll have to go on another swamp tour adventure on my next trip to New Orleans.
What to Bring on the Tour
You don’t need much, but a few essentials make the experience more comfortable:
- Lightweight clothing — humidity is part of the adventure
- Sunscreen — even on cloudy days
- Bug spray — especially in warmer months
- Water bottle
- Camera or cameraphone with good zoom
- A small towel if you’re visiting during a rainy stretch
The boats are covered, but you’ll still feel the breeze and occasional splash. I would discourage you from wearing a hat. The high speeds of the boat may rip the hat right off, never to be seen again.
When to Book & How to Book
Cajun Encounters offers multiple tour times throughout the day, but morning tours often provide cooler temperatures and more active wildlife. If you’re visiting during Mardi Gras, spring break, summer, or festival weekends, book ahead — tours fill quickly.
You can reserve your spot directly through Cajun Encounters’ website or by calling their office. If you’re staying in the French Quarter, they also offer round‑trip transportation, which makes planning even easier. There’s an additional cost for the transportation, but it was much easier than renting a car just to drive out to the launch point.
I would discourage you from taking Uber/Lyft out to the launch point. While a Ride Share vehicle can get you there, it’s a little more challenging finding one to bring you back.
If you want help planning your day, you can explore my list of the best things to do in New Orleans.
Why This Tour Belongs on Your New Orleans Itinerary
The Honey Island Swamp Tour is one of the best ways to experience Louisiana’s natural side. It’s peaceful, educational, and full of wildlife encounters that make the trip unforgettable. Whether you’re traveling with family, exploring solo, or gathering your friends for an unforgettable weekend in The Big Easy, this tour gives you a fresh perspective on New Orleans — one that’s far from the crowds but rich with local character.
The Details
Address: Swamp tours launch from here (55345 US-90, Slidell, LA 70461), but pick-up locations vary across New Orleans.
Cost: Tour tickets are $39.99 for adults and $28.99 for children (ages 0-11). Round-trip transportation from the French Quarter is $30 per person.
How Long: Approximately an hour and forty-five minutes but can go up to 2 hours long. The drive to the launch site is about 45-60 minutes each way.
Hours: Boats depart daily at 9:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m., and 5 p.m.
Website: https://www.cajunencounters.com/tours/swamp-tour-new-orleans
Phone: (504) 834-1770
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