Frequently Asked Questions - New Orleans City Kayak Tours

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FAQ - New Orleans City Kayak Tours

Can you tell me a little more about your city/bayou kayak tour?

Our 3 hour paddle on Bayou St. John is fun and relaxing. Bayou St. John is a national historic waterway that runs through a section of the city of New Orleans, two miles from the French Quarter. This bayou, shown to the French by Native Americans, was used for over 120 years to transport goods and people from the Gulf of Mexico to the French Quarter, the site of the original city of New Orleans. You will see petite Creole plantations and historic homes that span three centuries. You will pass City Park on your left and navigate around Park Island, site of some beautiful modern homes, including the home of our current mayor. Though Bayou St. John is unlike the more familiar 'swampy' bayous due to its location inside the city, this is a beautiful paddle.

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 no problem. Kayaking is easy and fun. Also, we will be on flat water with no current.

How strenuous is the city/bayou kayak tour?

Our kayak 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 safe?

We use Old Town Loon kayaks which are the most stable on the market. Kayaking on Bayou St. John is like floating on a placid lake. There is no "white water" and no current. It is extremely rare that someone turns over in one of our kayaks, and, if they do, the worst that happens is that they get wet.

Are there alligators in the bayou?

No, there are no alligators in Bayou St. John.

What is the price of the city/bayou kayak tour?

The price of our Bayou St. John kayak tour is $55 per person.

What is included in the price of the city/bayou kayak tour?

Kayak tours include all necessary equipment including Pfd's, a 16oz bottle of water 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 mentioned items, we can lend you these.

How many people will be on the tour?

All of our city kayak tours are very small groups, 6 person minimum, 12 person maximum. One or two persons booking alone are many times put together with another small group, but never more than 12 people (except for special group tours which can be as large as 15 persons).

When are your city/bayou kayak 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 city kayak tours start between 9:00am and 11:00am, however, tours may sometimes be scheduled in the afternoon.

How do I reserve a city/bayou kayak 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?

There is no charge for a city/bayou kayak tour if canceled within 48 hours of the tour start time. A cancellation fee of $20 p/p will be charged for a tour if canceled in less than 48 hours. The full amount for the tour will be charged for a no show, no call.

Where does the city/bayou kayak tour start?

The city/bayou kayak tour starts at our shop on 625 Hagan Ave. which is less than 2 miles from the French Quarter or the Central Business District. Bayou St. John is one block from our shop.

How do I get to your shop?

By Streetcar: Take the Canal Streetcar from the French Quarter or Warehouse District. Note that you'll be taking the streetcar going away from the Mississippi River. Get off at N. Jeff Davis Parkway (in front of a Walgreen's pharmacy) and stay on that side of Canal St. Walk down N. Jeff Davis Parkway (along side the Walgreen's parking lot) for three blocks. You will cross a set of railroad track and see the street narrow to a single lane. This single lane street is Hagan Ave. In 1 1/2 blocks you will see our shop (625 Hagan Ave.) with a large "Laid Back Bikes/Tours" sign.

Driving/Taxi 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/Taxi 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