Trade in the urban bustle for the bayou on a half-day trip from New Orleans to the wilds of the Honey Island Swamp. Relax on the ride from your downtown or French Quarter hotel, and then cruise beneath hanging moss and cypress trees while a wetland ecologist shares tall tales and fun facts about this protected nature reserve on the shores of Lake Ponchartrain. Learn about Louisiana’s long-standing fishing industry, and keep an eye out for native critters like otters, turtles, egrets, and alligators lurking beneath the surface.
Half-day tour to Honey Island Swamp from New Orleans
Take a narrated boat tour through this protected nature reserve on the shores of Lake Ponchartrain
Experience real Louisiana swampland practically unchanged by time
Spot native swamp creatures like otters, turtles, egrets, and alligators
Learn about the unique ecosystem from a wetland ecologist
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off from downtown or French Quarter hotels
What To Expect
Lake Pontchartrain
Your tour begins with pickup from your New Orleans French Quarter hotel, and includes a narrated scenic tour as you ride along Lake Pontchartrain and the countryside to the swamp.
• Admission Ticket Not Included
Dr. Wagner’s Honey Island Swamp Tours
Enjoy this Louisiana Swamp experience — a unique outdoor adventure that is safe, organized, fun, and educational.
After a New Orleans French Quarter hotel pickup, travel to the starting location on the West Pearl River, in Slidell, Louisiana. Venture into the gift shop overlooking the Tupelo and Cypress swamp and check in for the tour. Be sure to take a look out of the back window to see if any backyard guests are lurking in the murky waters below. Don’t forget to use the restrooms before embarking on this 2-hour tour throughout nearly 70,000 acres of the Honey Island Swamp, a permanently protected wildlife preserve.
While walking down the dock, embrace the excitement of seeing the moss hanging from the gnarled cypress trees and the sweet smell of wild azaleas in the air. There’s an undeniable eagerness to explore. Listen intently to the captain’s tales of pirates, Bigfoot, and prehistoric creatures roaming the region while entering the primitive beauty of the Honey Island Swamp.
Keep an eye out for alligators, herons, egrets, deer, feral hogs, nutria, raccoons, otters, turtles, and frogs — an abundance of wildlife along the banks and the in the murky waters. Or look up and out for bald eagles, owls, osprey, and other water fowl soaring through the skies. They could be visible one second and gone the next.
Those touring Honey Island can easily see why Louisiana is known as the Fisherman’s Paradise. Passing through the Cajun village, where local fisherman reside, see them catching bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, and warmth. Thousands of pounds of crawfish are caught in these waters every season as well.
All the tour boats are inspected and approved by the US Coast Guard. These small, custom-built, flat-bottom boats transport approximately 20-24 individuals each. They are operated by experienced local guides who interact with the guests and make the trip both enjoyable and exciting.
With the journey back up the river, the captain leads the way to the original departure location. A New Orleans hotel drop-off closes the tour. Note: this tour only offers pick up and drop off from the French Quarter.
4 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Highlight
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
PLEASE PROVIDE THE HOTEL NAME AND ADDRESS IN THE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS.” RESERVATIONS WITHOUT HOTEL NAME AND ADDRESS CANNOT BE CONFIRMED
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
No heaith restrictions, all can enjoy experence.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 travelers
Include
Live commentary on board
Professional local guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Round-trip shared transfer
Exclude
Food and drinks