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.

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
due to the proximity to the plantations.
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!
Michael Brecker

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