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Swamp Kayak Tour: Plantation Visit and Cajun Cuisine

4.9

30 Ratings

New Orleans

Immerse yourself in the rich culture and ecology of Louisiana with our Swamp Kayak Tour. Explore the Manchac Swamp, indulge in delicious Cajun cuisine, and visit the historic Whitney Plantation. Perfect for groups looking for a unique and memorable experience!

Duration: 8 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Old U.S. 51 - Explore the Manchac Swamp, the second biggest cypress swamp in North America in tandem or single sit-on-top kayaks (think stable and easy).

As you adventure through the spanish moss laden cypress swamp, a knowledgeable guide will share stories and give an overview of the benefits and trials the swamp is currently facing.

We do NOT feed the wildlife and the animals; alligators, turtles, birds are non threatening.

After our kayak tour, we head to B & C Seafood where we stop for an opportunity to experience some Cajun food. (You have the option to purchase food) Step out of your comfort zone and try some fried alligator, gulf oysters, crawfish, soft shell crab, frog legs or keep it simple and get the smoked rabbit gumbo. If you don’t want to push your palate, then I suggest the red beans and rice. A southern staple! After a fun lunch, we venture off to the Whitney Plantation.

The Whitney Plantation offers you an opportunity to experience the story of plantation life in Louisiana from the perspective of those enslaved. It does a good job of not glorifying the ownership.

The 45 min drive home gives you a quick chance to nap prior to hitting the town.

What's Included

Exciting adventure
Professional driver included
Comprehensive paddle lesson
All necessary gear provided
Experienced guide
Engaging narrative

What's Not Included

Gratuity is not included in kayak tour price. Your guide works hard to ensure your safety and well-being, please let them know if you had a good time.

Additional Information

Experience the Rich Diversity and Natural Abundance of Louisiana!

Package includes Swamp Kayaking Adventure, Cajun Cuisine, and a Plantation Visit:
• Safe transport to and from New Orleans
• Moderate Difficulty Kayak Trip across Manchac Swamp
• Ideal for Group Gatherings seeking a memorable experience
• Understand the history and significance of this distinctive ecosystem
• Kayak amidst the Cypress and Tupelo clusters
• Savour authentic Cajun dishes at B&C Seafood Restaurant (Optional Food Purchase)
• Guided Expedition of the stunning Whitney Plantation
• Visit the Museum, Baptist Church, and Gift Shop
• Capture the picturesque Live Oak pathway leading to the “Big House”

Location

740 N Rampart St

North Rampart Street

Please be waiting outside the Rampart Tree House 740 N RAMPART STREET 1 hour and 15 minutes before scheduled tour time

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.9

(30 Ratings)

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Shanec848

Apr 5, 2024

Great combo tour! - Both tours were awesome. Chelsea was a fantastic guide. The kayaks were a perfect way to get into the woods and close to the gators. We saw quite a few on our trip. The plantation tour was quite special. This tour was fairly deep dive into the slave trade and the way of life on the plantation for those who lived and worked there. Extremely well presented.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Hjlundbeck

Mar 20, 2024

Swamps the slow way - I had booked the combo tour but I was the only person who wanted the combo so they arranged for me to join a kayak only tour. I almost didn't do it and went with a different combo tour on an airboat but I'm glad I did the kayak tour. We went out with Nick and his love for the swamp and wildlife was evident. He spotted animals I would never have seen such as a nesting barred owl, a turtle and gators. I would definitely recommend this trip to see nature in a way I have never seen it before.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Tara

Mar 14, 2024

Informative and enjoyable - Mr Alex Wallace did his best to meet all of our needs. He was on point from 8am-4pm with advice, information on the city and bayou, vegetation, wildlife and New Orleans. It was a great way to see gators and the Whitney plantation.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Curiosity66361141434

Jan 4, 2024

Great day outside the city. - The aligators where hiding, but nonetheless. it was a magical experience. The calm and feel in the swamp canal, the bald cypress, the heron and owls and the Kayak ride was awsome. Our guid was super friendly and open to any discussion, he's a real nature lover, talking with him was enjoyable. We en-up in a dock restaurant near the Lake Pontchartrain that was ok. BC seafood would have been better but it was closed on Sunday. Visit at plantation was really instructive and eye-openning. A must to understand the history and real-facts about slavery history.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Mop22

Aug 14, 2023

Brilliant tour- Eco friendly and enlightening!! - We had a FANTASTIC time on this tour. Alex our tour guide was so knowledgable and easygoing. We started off with the swamp tour which, after doing a lot of research into the most ethical and eco friendly ways to see the swamp, was everything we hoped for! We were completely immersed, got to see alligators at a close but respectful distance and learned so much about the swamp, the history and animal life there. After that we stopped for lunch and headed to the Whitney Plantation. This was a fascinating and also very tastefully and respectfully laid out place. You left with a much greater sense of who the people enslaved on the plantaiton were, rather than just their suffering. Everything went seamlessly with this tour from pick up to drop off and our tour guide was really fantastic so I would HIGHLY recommend this!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

701margauxm

Jul 23, 2023

Great experience in the bayou !! - We booked a day-tour, paddling through the bayou in the morning and visiting a sugar plantation in the afternoon with our guide Alex. Only a few minutes on the kayaks were needed to see how passionate he is about the bayou and its ecosystem. The story telling amongst the bayou tour was very interesting and we learnt about oyster mushrooms, cyprès and oak trees, alligators and all sorts of plants and animals as well as the history of the area. Alex also made us discover a great Mexican restaurant, drove us to the plantation and back to the city with a nice music playlist. We highly recommend touring the bayou with Alex!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

J9869iujenniferh

Jun 24, 2023

Getting outta town - Great day trip from New Orleans. It was nice to hit the water for a little kayaking. Some road noise in first portion, but got farther in and saw some wildlife - no gators. The Whitney Plantation tour was interesting-not only covering the international and domestic slave trade but also the links to African culture. Tour guide was great, chill and personable and took us to a great BBQ spot.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Christine_g

Nov 26, 2022

Well worth a day - This was a great tour. The guide, Alex, was wonderful. Easy check in and comfy van. The kayaking was in double kayaks which worked well for kids. The Whitney exhibits were informative and moving. Our pants and shoes got plenty of dribbles from the paddle so I do recommend bringing dry clothes to change into at lunch just for comfort’s sake.

Review provided by Viator

Ranneg

Nov 8, 2022

A Must Do - If you like paddling and want to slow down and appreciate the rhythms of the bayou, this kayak swamp tour will be a perfect fit. Manchac was eerily beautiful in November and we had the great fortune of seeing two alligators, turtles, an owl, an assortment of other birds and even a snake. Our guide Nick was wonderful! He was extremely knowledgeable about the swamp’s many creatures as well as the environment itself, and he contributed greatly to our appreciation of the area. The Whitney Plantation tour was excellent. It was an audio guide given from the slaves’ perspective. It included some firsthand accounts from those who had been children on the plantation. Very sobering and important tour. My husband and I came away with a deeper understanding of the horrific conditions endured by slaves.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Michanneh

Jun 26, 2022

Powerful! Learn from 1st-person accounts. - If you only have time for one plantation, this is the one you'll want to visit. Whitney plantation doesn't glorify the slave masters, instead it gives you an experience from the enslaved person's perspective. The audio tour is really well done, so be sure to do that and take the time to reflect on the magnitude as you read all of the names and listen to 1st-person accounts. It takes about an hour and 30 minutes for the entire visit.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

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up to 8 guests

1 Adult