Frequently Asked Questions

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• Tours start as early as 8:30am and can be scheduled for every 2-2.5 hours throughout the day with the last tour departing 1 hour before sunset. (sunset tour times vary due to daylight savings time & seasonal changes)
• Telephone and digital communications are monitored from 8am - 7pm. 
• We are open 7 days a week with the exception of major holidays.

                                                                                   4262 US-90

                                                                    DES ALLEMANDS, LA 70030 

From I-10

Take Interstate 10 West from New Orleans (East from Baton Rouge). Exit at Interstate 310 (Exit 220) going South to Highway 90. Turn Right on Highway 90 (Houma Exit) and go approximately 8 miles West to Des Allemands. Go over the Des Allemands bridge & get in the fast lane. Take the third gap in the median, this will put you at the top of our driveway. We are approximately 1/4 mile past the foot of the Des Allemands bridge in Lafourche Parish. If you see Franks Lounge or Spahr’s Seafood Restaurant you have gone too far. Turn that baby around & come back!

From US-90 West of Des Allemands

Take US-90 East toward New Orleans. Our location is 9.5 miles east of the LA-1 Port Fourchon exit. Once you enter the town of Des Allemands, you will see Spahr’s Seafood Restaurant. We are located on your right just before the Valero Truck stop. If you pass over the bridge, you’ve gone too far. Turn that baby around & come back!

We do not provide transportation. 

In our opinion, your best option for transportation is a rental car, that way you can make a day of your trip to our area and visit other local attractions and cuisine.

If you take a look at our line links page, you'll find some options for transportation services that we work with often. These services will not only pick you up, but will be ready and waiting at our site to bring you back to your destination of choice after of the tour! 

Should you choose to use a ride share option such as Uber or Lyft, it would be a good idea to ask the airboat captain to let you know when it'll be time to head back to the tour shop from the swamp. This will minimize your wait time for your ride share to arrive. We are outside of the metro area and ride shares are not usually minutes away or readily available for your return trip.

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your reservation and allow roughly 10 minutes upon your return to the tour site. This will give you time to sign-up for the tour, restroom breaks, & conversation with the crew. Tell us about your expectations before the tour and share your experience upon completion. We do value your feedback and will do our best to cater to your expectations & special requests. We strive to provide a memorable experience. Your safety and satisfaction are our priority.

• Hearing protection (Earmuffs and/or ear plugs.)
• Clear Eye protection for sunset tours or by request.
• Personal Flotation Device (PFD/ Life Vest.)
• Each airboat is equipped with a First Aid kit.Add an answer to this item.

Reservations are not mandatory but are highly recommended. We do accept walk-ins, but without a reservation we cannot guarantee to have a captain &/or an airboat available to accommodate your group.

Our tours are normally scheduled for an hour or 90-minutes. We can offer custom or longer tours upon request. Check with us for scheduling availability. We do our best to keep a 30-minute buffer between reservations.

• Want to be alone? We do offer private tours for any group no matter how large or small. 
• We do offer group rates, options, and can provide third party services for large groups such as school field trips, wedding parties, corporate & special events, etc.
• Call us for private tour pricing. 

What to wear? 

• Dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Dress as if you were going for a motorcycle ride, our airboats open boats. Expect windy conditions when getting up to speed. 
• Large hats are discouraged.
•  We suggest long pants and long sleeves for sunset tours as it will get buggy at dusk during the warm months. We also advise to wear darker colors that will be less likely to attract bugs.
• Dress warmer than you think you should during the colder months. This is South Louisiana, although our winters are normally mild, humidity levels are high.  When traveling on the boat in the cold, you'll want some warm clothes with a good wind blocking outer layer.
• All clothing must be secured while traveling on the vessel, there's a big propeller spinning behind you. If loose clothing or items make it to the prop, those items will likely be destroyed and will damage the airboat.

What to bring?

• Bring along some type of camera! You will get photo opportunities all along the way of wildlife and scenic landscape.
• Wear sunglasses as the ride is windy while underway and there is a risk of airborne bugs and seeds while treading through the swamps and marshes. 
• Sun block for late morning to early afternoon tours on hotter days would be a good option.
• Mosquito repellent is a good idea for the sunset tours.
• Bring refreshments if you'd like. 

When should we arrive?

• 15 minutes prior to your scheduled reservation.

When is the best time of day to book a tour? 

• The last tour of the day, THE SUNSET TOUR (90 minute minimum) is by far the most unique airboating experience that we offer. It's like two totally different tours balled up into one. The first part of the tour is comparable to our other tours throughout the day except for the fact that most of the wildlife that we are in search of are mostly nocturnal and are coming out of daytime hiding. Although some are out during the day, everything is more active at night. As the sun sets on the swamp our captains structure your tour to position the airboat in the moss draped cypress swamp. These sunsets over the cypress swamp scenery are absolutely picturesque. Once the darkness has set in, the swamp comes to life. As the captain shines his spotlight, you will see the eyes different types of wildlife reflecting from distances as far as a quarter of a mile. The bright light allows you to get really close to the wildlife without spooking them because they can’t judge how close you are as you approach. This is by far the best opportunity to get some hands-on interaction with some of the swamp’s coolest creatures. Then enjoy a moonlight cruise back to the landing as you gaze at the stars.

• Snacks and refreshments are acceptable as long as they are contained in some way.  
• You can bring your own small cooler, or we may be able to provide one for you to use. 
• Make sure that your empties go back into the cooler or give them to the captain for disposal.
• NOTE: No glass containers or bottles are allowed on the boats.
• No loose items in the boats, they can be sucked into the propeller and cause serious damage.
• Louisiana state law limits alcoholic beverages to one case on ice per vessel. (The captain is not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages under any circumstances.)
• Drink responsibly. Excessive intoxication will not be tolerated and is unsafe for everyone onboard the vessel.

Yes, we do have some restrictions. Safety is our top priority.

• No expectant mothers beyond 8 months of pregnancy.
• No children under 2 years of age.
• No pets.
• Passengers with any mild injury should notify the staff so that we can plan the tour accordingly to prevent the risk of further injury by avoiding bumpy conditions and provide assistance during embarkment and dis-embarkment of the vessels. 
• Any passenger with sensitive spinal or severe musculoskeletal injuries that cannot safely hold on in the vessel, support their own bodyweight, or cannot handle a slight bump or bounce of the vessel are not permitted unless a means of preventing further injury can be provided by an outside apparatus or other passengers in your group.

• Wetland landscapes such as moss draped cypress swamps, marsh, bayous, lakes, and ponds with all of the flora and fauna that inhabit this region during the particular season. (Both indigenous and invasive species)
• Recreational and commercial fishermen with their equipment in use. 
• Recreational hunters and trappers.

Wildlife including but not limited to:

• Roughly 300 species of Birds 
• American Alligators
• Nutria
• Turtles
• Snakes
• Bullfrogs
• Racoons
• Rabbits
• Whitetail Deer
• Waterfowl (Ducks, Coots, & Gallinules)

Flora including but not limited to:

• Bald Cypress
• Live Oaks
• Spanish Moss
• Water Hyacinths
• American Lotus
• Wild Iris
• Spyder Lillys
• Wild hibiscus

• The odds are in your favor during the warmer months, but alligators are seasonal. 
• Ectothermic animals, often referred to as “cold-blooded,” must rely on their surroundings to generate body heat and keep their bodily processes like digestion and respiration functioning normally.  
• Brumation is best understood as the ectothermic animal’s equivalent of hibernation. Reptiles, amphibians, and even some insects undergo brumation, typically during the coldest time of the year.  Alligators' brumation periods are triggered by a drop in temperature and a decreased access to their usual food sources. 

• Cancellations can be made up to 24 hours before the tour at no charge. 
•  If within the 24 hours leading up to the start of your tour, a $10/per customer fee will be applied. 
•  SAFETY IS OUR #1 PRIORITY. Cancellations due to inclement weather will be at the sole discretion of Airboat Tours by Arthur, and will be at no fault or charge to the customer. Customers will be informed and given the option to reschedule at a later date and/or time if so.