Frequently Asked Questions - New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours

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FAQ - Kayak Swamp Tours in the Louisiana Swamps

Can you tell me a little more about your kayak swamp tours?

Laid Back Tours' kayak swamp tours are approximately 6 hours including approximately 4 hours kayaking in the swamps and bayous. All swamp tours are outside of New Orleans in our beautiful Louisiana wetlands and bayous. We go to either Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve or Ruddock in the Manchac Swamps. In either of these areas, you will surely see alligators, herons and many other wildlife species. Because of water levels and other conditions in the wetlands, we do not decide which area to kayak in until 24 to 48 hours prior to the tour. Unless it is impassable, we will go to a series of Bayous in Lafitte.

What if I've never kayaked before? Can I still do this tour?

We regularly get customers who are inexperienced kayakers or who have never kayaked before. This is not a problem. Kayaking is easy and fun. Also, we will be on flat water with little or no current.

How strenuous is the kayak swamp tour?

Our kayak swamp tours are as much or more for observing the beauty of our surroundings as for the act of kayaking. This is not a strenuous tour and you will certainly enjoy it. We do not kayak in high winds.

Is kayaking in the swamps safe?

We use Old Town Loon kayaks which are the most stable on the market. Kayaking in the swamps is like floating on a placid lake. There is no "white water" and little or no current. It is extremely rare that someone turns over in one of our kayaks. It has only happened once in the swamps (no injury, no problem except that the person got wet) in five years of operation. That individual was heavier than he should have been. We have a 250lb limit and he admitted later than he weighed over 275lbs.

What about alligators? Are they aggressive?

Alligators, unlike crocodiles, do not see humans as a food source. If you want to see alligators, you have to be very quiet and paddle softly. In Louisiana, alligator attacks on humans in the water are nearly non-existent. We have kayaked the Louisiana swamps for over 7 years and have never had any problem or felt threatened by an alligator. On land, the female alligator will become aggressive when protecting her eggs and young. After they enter the water, the baby alligators are basically on their own.

What is the price of the kayak swamp tour?

The price of the kayak wetlands/swamp tour is $110 per person.

What is included in the price of the kayak swamp tour?

Kayak tours include all necessary equipment including Pfd's, a 24oz bottle of water with a refill, a snack that includes juice, a granola bar and Zapp's chips or peanuts and a local guide. You need only bring comfortable clothing, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. You may wear tennis type shoes, or, if you prefer, we have 'surf' type shoes you can wear. If you forget one or more of the above items, we can lend you these.

Do you provide transportation to swamp?

If you don't have your own transportation, we have a transportation company that will pick you (and/or your group) up from your hotel, bring you to our shop for Pfd (life jacket) fitting, etc., bring you to the swamp/bayou (about 25 miles outside of New Orleans) and pick you up from the swamp/bayou and bring you back to your hotel (or elsewhere in the French Quarter). The cost of this service is $20 per person paid directly to the transportation company.

What is the group size for the kayak swamp tour?

All of our kayak swamp tours are very small groups, 3 person minimum, 8 person maximum. One or two persons booking are many times put together with another small group, but never more than 8 people.

When are your kayak swamp tours offered?

We operate tours on request 7 days per week, year-round except that we are closed between July 1st and August 15th. Times and dates are flexible and are scheduled by request. Most kayak swamp tours start between 9:00am and 11:00am and end between 3:00pm and 5:00pm. A kayak swamp tour will involve you for a minimum of 6 hours.

How do I reserve a kayak swamp tour?

We require advance reservations held with a credit card (Visa or Master Card). If you plan to charge your tour using your credit card, please bring it with you. We do not charge your card until you arrive. Do not send your credit card information via email. Please call to make your reservation.

What happens if it rains or there is bad weather?

A half hour before the tour is scheduled to begin, if it is raining or too cold or too hot, you may cancel the tour without charge, but you must call. We do not usually cancel tours based on weather forecasts since they are wrong nearly half of the time. We also apply a test of "reasonableness". For example 90 degrees in August in New Orleans is not considered too hot because it is not unusual. Once the tour is underway, you may cancel the tour due to "bad weather" and get a "rain check" for a future tour.

What is your refund/cancellation Policy?

No charge for a kayak swamp tour if canceled within 7 days of the tour date. A cancellation fee of $35 per person is charged if a swamp tour canceled in less than 7 days. The full amount for the tour will be charged for a no show, no call.

Where do the kayak swamp tours start?

The kayak swamp tour starts at our shop on 625 Hagan Ave. which is less than 2 miles from the French Quarter or the Central Business District. The most common swamp we kayak in is about 25 miles outside of New Orleans. You will need to drive or take transportation to the swamp.

How do I get to your shop?

Driving From Canal St.: Take Canal Street from the French Quarter or Warehouse District for about 1.5 miles. Turn right at N. Jeff Davis Parkway (at a Walgreen's pharmacy). Stay in the right lane. If you make no turns, N. Jeff Davis Parkway will become Hagan Ave just past a set of railroad tracks. In 1 1/2 blocks after the railroad tracks, you will see our shop on the left (625 Hagan Ave.). This is the front of our shop.

Driving From Esplanade Ave: Take Esplanade Ave. from the French Quarter (away from the Mississippi River) for about 1.5 miles. You will see a Circle K convenience store on the right. At this point, turn left onto Grand Route St. John and drive to the end. You will be looking at Bayou St. John and Moss St. Turn left on Moss St. After you drive through a light, start looking to your left. You will see our shop with double yellow doors and a very large "Laid Back Bikes/Tours" sign at the back of a parking lot. This is actually the back of our shop.

What temperature can I expect in New Orleans?

Month	Avg. high	Avg. low	Avg. precipitation
January	62° F	43° F	5.1 in.
February	65° F	46° F	5.5 in.
March	71° F	52° F	5.3 in.
April	78° F	58° F	4.8 in.
May	85° F	66° F	4.9 in.
June	89° F	71° F	5.6 in.
July	91° F	73° F	6.6 in.
August	90° F	73° F	5.9 in.
September	87° F	70° F	5.4 in.
October	80° F	60° F	2.8 in.
November	71° F	50° F	4.5 in.
December	65° F	45° F	5.3 in.

Please call if you would like to book a tour, or call/email if you need further information.

Call us at (504) 488-8991
E-Mail us at info@laidbacktours.com