New Orleans - Swamp Tours
 

Been to New Orleans many, many times but have never tried a swamp tour. It's on the list this time. We've looked at several websites and they all seem to be about the same price/length. Seems it could be a great experience or a miserable way to spend a few hours. We enjoy nature; a lot of hype or showmanship seems it would distract from the experience. We'll need transportation from and back to our hotel in the French Quarter. <BR> <BR>With those thoughts in mind, can anyone suggest a tour operator? Thanks in advance for any advice!

I don't have any info about specific tour operators, but I believe that most can/will provide transportation. I would recommend only the 1/2 day tour rather than the full day.

My husband went on Honey Island Swamp Tours on the Northshore, and thought it was a great tour. Slow moving, plenty of nice scenery, and an alligator or two. Their number is (504) 641-1769 and the website is www.honeyislandswamp.com. Have fun!

We've always taken the Cyprus Swamp Tour and had a good time. Most hotels have a concierge who has their phone number and can arrange transportation since they do offer shuttle service. I'd suggest you only take a half-day jaunt. You can only see so many gators, nutria and heron before it gets repetitive.

Right now, I'd suggest the airboat tours . . . Arthur Matherne or Zam's <BR>due to the proximity to the plantations. <BR>On the airboat you can cover 10 miles in 10 minutes, thus increase your chances of seeing more wildlife (ie aligators,etc) and, if worse comes to worse, it's still a wild ride with a lot of scenery. You will not be bored! <BR>Michael Brecker

After checking into this a little more, <BR>I've noticed that swamp tours ARE NOT <BR>THE SAME PRICE. Cypress is $20 with a <BR>free shuttle pick-up and Louisiana Swamp Tours is $38 with the trans, but <BR>only $20.50 if you provide your own trans. Cajun Pride $16.50 w/o trans <BR>and $38 with trans. They also have a <BR>"connection" with other companies for <BR>a "combo" plantation/swamp. Still, the <BR>prices are high for what this is . . . <BR>another $20 for the ride out there is <BR>ridiculous! I've also got the feeling <BR>that, given the competition, they are <BR>paying high commissions to concierges <BR>to get the business. As a matter of <BR>fact, some of the concierge desks in <BR>New Orleans hotels are not concierges <BR>at all, but rented desks with an <BR>employee from a tour company giving <BR>advice. This has been going on for some <BR>time. Do your own research before you <BR>come and make your own decisions. <BR>Michael Brecker

Many times, the price of a swamp tour goes up depending on how far away from New Orleans the particular swamp happens to be. Cypress tours a swamp area almost in the City, while Honey Island uses a more-pristine swamp 25-30 miles away from New Orleans. As a result, Cypress will cost you a grand total of $20 and Honey Island $40, even though the tour itself is $20 at each place. I think both tours meet a niche in the market, by the way, with Cypress more of a "swamp tour lite" and Honey Island being more in-depth.