Option 1
Covered Pontoon
- Ride feel
- Quiet, smoother, shaded
- Who can board
- All ages; expectant mothers welcome
- Capacity
- Larger groups
- Wheelchair boarding
- Standard-width wheelchair can board; call to confirm
Covered pontoon swamp tour New Orleans (quiet, shaded boat)
A Quiet, Shaded Boat on the Same Bayou Route
Looking for a covered boat swamp tour near New Orleans? The covered pontoon is quiet and smoother, with a full awning. All ages can board, and expectant mothers are welcome. A standard-width wheelchair can board; call ahead to confirm that day's boat. Tours follow the same bayou route as the airboats for about 1 hour 45 minutes. Wildlife sightings vary with conditions, weather, and season, and no animal sightings are guaranteed. Call 504-618-1692 or use the form to check times.
Check Covered Pontoon Times
By providing my phone number, I consent to receive SMS, calls, and emails from Bayou Swamp Tours. I agree to their Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Reply STOP to quit.
A Quiet, Shaded Way to Explore the Bayou
For a shaded swamp tour near New Orleans, choose the covered pontoon. It is a quiet swamp tour choice for guests who want a smoother ride and room to talk and listen without raising their voices. Its full awning covers the seating area during the trip.
The boat suits families with mixed ages, guests who prefer a calmer ride, and expectant mothers. A standard-width wheelchair can board the covered boat. Call ahead so the team can confirm the boat for your date.
Full awning: Ride under the covered pontoon's full awning for shade.
Quieter ride: Conversation and listening are easier for many guests on the quieter, smoother ride.
All ages: Children of every age can board, and expectant mothers are welcome.
Wheelchair boarding: A standard-width wheelchair can board. Call ahead to confirm that day's boat and boarding arrangement.
A Quieter Ride, with Honest Wildlife Expectations
The covered pontoon moves at a quieter pace, which can make it easier to hear birds, talk with your group, and watch the bayou. Captains look for wildlife on every trip, but a quiet boat does not guarantee more sightings than an airboat.
Wildlife sightings vary with conditions, weather, and season. No alligator or other animal sighting is guaranteed on any boat. Read what to expect on a swamp tour and our alligator tour guide for more wildlife planning.
Choose the Ride Feel That Fits Your Group
The covered pontoon and both airboat options follow the same bayou route. Choose the covered boat for shade, a quieter and smoother ride, and all-ages boarding. The airboats offer a fast, open-air ride for guests who meet their age and height rules.
This is a short comparison. Visit the full airboat versus covered pontoon chooser for the detailed three-boat guide.
A Comfortable Fit for Families and Expectant Mothers
The covered pontoon welcomes all ages, including toddlers and children who do not meet the airboat requirements. Expectant mothers are welcome on the covered boat. Airboat riders must be at least 5 years old and at least 48 inches tall, with both rules applying.
If you are planning for children or have a boarding question, share your group's needs with the booking team before reserving.
Tour Times, Partner Docks, and Pickup
Departures are 8 am, 9:45 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm. The 6 PM departure is subject to daylight. All six departure times are good to book. Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes before departure for check-in.
Partner docks are about 30 minutes from the French Quarter. Tours use multiple partner docks, and the confirmed address is emailed after your reservation is confirmed. We do not publish a public dock address.
Paid round-trip pickup is available for an additional fee from the French Quarter, New Orleans City Center, and Eastern Garden District. Call 504-618-1692 to add pickup to your reservation.
Rates and Booking
Rates vary by date, boat, and add-ons. Call 504-618-1692 for today's rate and availability. Card payment is taken by phone when you book, not at the dock.
Bayou Swamp Tours is a booking office working with hand-picked operators and Coast Guard certified captains. The boat and partner dock are confirmed for your reservation.
A quick decision guide
Covered Pontoon and Airboats at a Glance
All three options follow the same bayou route. Compare ride feel and who can board, then see the full boat chooser for more detail.
1Start with the ride feel, then check who can board.
Option 2
Small Airboat
- Ride feel
- Fast, loud, open air
- Who can board
- Ages 5+ and at least 48 inches tall
- Capacity
- 6 to 10 passengers
- Wheelchair boarding
- Call to discuss your group's needs
Option 3
Large Airboat
- Ride feel
- Fast, loud, open air
- Who can board
- Ages 5+ and at least 48 inches tall
- Capacity
- 15 to 27 passengers
- Wheelchair boarding
- Call to discuss your group's needs
All three choices follow the same route. Scan each option for the details that matter to your group.
| What matters | Covered Pontoon | Small Airboat | Large Airboat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ride feel | Quiet, smoother, shaded | Fast, loud, open air | Fast, loud, open air |
| Who can board | All ages; expectant mothers welcome | Ages 5+ and at least 48 inches tall | Ages 5+ and at least 48 inches tall |
| Capacity | Larger groups | 6 to 10 passengers | 15 to 27 passengers |
| Wheelchair boarding | Standard-width wheelchair can board; call to confirm | Call to discuss your group's needs | Call to discuss your group's needs |
Covered Pontoon Departure Times
Departures are 8 am, 9:45 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm. The 6 PM departure is subject to daylight. All six times are good to book.
The tour lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes on the water. Arrive 15 to 30 minutes early for check-in. Call to confirm availability and the covered boat for your date.
8:00 AM
9:45 AM
12:00 PM
2:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:00 PM(when daylight allows)
Book a Quiet, Shaded Swamp Tour
Shade and Comfort
Ride beneath a full awning on a quieter, smoother boat that makes conversation and listening easier.
All Ages Welcome
The covered pontoon welcomes children of all ages and expectant mothers.
Booking Help
Call 504-618-1692 or request a call to confirm today's availability, boarding, and pickup.
Request A Call To Book Now
Fill out the form below, and a representative will call you within seconds to help answer any questions and book your tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our Louisiana airboat tours.
It is a quieter swamp boat ride under a full awning on the same bayou route as the airboats. The trip is about 1 hour 45 minutes on the water. Call 504-618-1692 or use the form to book.
Yes. The covered pontoon is the quieter, smoother option. Airboats are fast, loud, and open air, and ear protection is provided.
A quieter ride can make it easier for many guests to listen and watch, but it does not guarantee more wildlife than an airboat. Sightings vary with conditions, weather, and season. No animal sightings are guaranteed.
Yes. Children of all ages can board, and expectant mothers are welcome. Airboats require riders to be at least 5 years old and at least 48 inches tall.
A standard-width wheelchair can board the covered boat. Call 504-618-1692 ahead of time so the team can confirm the boat and boarding arrangement for your date.
Yes. The covered pontoon follows the same bayou route as the airboats for about 1 hour 45 minutes on the water.
Yes. Paid round-trip pickup is available for an additional fee from the French Quarter, New Orleans City Center, and Eastern Garden District. Call 504-618-1692 to add it.
Rates vary by date, boat, and add-ons. Call 504-618-1692 for today's rate. Card payment is taken by phone, not at the dock.
Yes. Bayou Swamp Tours books covered pontoon and airboat options. This page focuses on the covered pontoon; use the full airboat versus covered pontoon guide to compare all three boats.
More Guides for Planning Your Swamp Tour
Family Swamp TourChoose a boat for children, mixed ages, and expectant mothers.Read more →Wheelchair Boarding DetailsReview standard-width wheelchair boarding and what to confirm ahead.Read more →Airboat Age and Height RulesCheck the minimum age and height for airboat riders.Read more →Airboat vs Covered PontoonSee the detailed comparison of all three boat options.Read more →What to Expect on a Swamp TourRead about the route, conditions, and variable wildlife sightings.Read more →Alligator Tour GuidePlan for possible alligator and other wildlife sightings.Read more →French Quarter TransportationLearn about the drive and optional paid pickup.Read more →Self-Drive DirectionsUnderstand partner dock directions and check-in.Read more →Best Time for a Swamp TourCompare departure times and plan around your day.Read more →How Long Is a Swamp Tour?Plan for the time on the water and travel to the dock.Read more →Rain and Cancellation PolicyReview the weather and cancellation policy before your trip.Read more →What to WearGet practical clothing and packing advice.Read more →How to BookSee what to expect when making a reservation.Read more →Swamp Tour Rates and CostsReview what affects rates and when to call for today's price.Read more →