Extended Manchac Kayak Tour | Louisiana

Our guides’ favourite swamp tour! Come out for an immersive paddling experience of the swamp unlike any other in the New Orleans area. You will be joined by one of our senior naturalist kayak guides, who will take you deep into Manchac Swamp to see prime examples of Louisiana’s iconic bald cypress-tupelo swamp habitat. The extra time we spend on this tour allows us to reach secluded areas like Buzzard’s Bayou, which is a hotspot for wildlife including alligators and birds. From there, we wind our way in between majestic cypress trees under a cathedral of foliage. Barred owl sightings are common in this area! Compared to our 2hr tour, this tour generally runs at a more relaxed pace, with more time built in to observe wildlife, take photographs, soak in the scenery and ask questions. Your guide is able to share a wealth of knowledge with you about the wildlife, ecology, natural history and conservation of the area. Each Extended tour has a custom-tailored feel and is an approximately 6 mile round-trip paddle, with stops along the way. You will want to pack your own drinks and snacks or a simple lunch to eat on the water. You do not need to be a seasoned paddler to enjoy our Extended tour. The still/slow moving water is suitable for beginner kayakers, but the longer tour time makes this the choice for outdoor enthusiasts. You should be reasonably fit enough to spend an elongated time seated in the kayak and enjoy going off the beaten path! Our Extended tours give you the option of going solo or tandem, so pick this tour if you are set on having your own kayak and not sharing with your partner or mates. Manchac swamp’ still waters, lush vegetation and wildlife sightings have captivated the hearts of nature enthusiasts for decades, offering a glimpse into the heart of Louisiana’s iconic landscapes. The ecosystem is also a crucial resource that offers invaluable insights into wetland ecology. Levees along the Mississippi River combined with saltwater intrusion in the Pontchartrain Basin have led to changes in the hydrology of Manchac Swamp. Take a deeper dive with us into one of the most stunning corners of this swamp, while considering the delicate balance of the ecosystem in the region. The Extended Tour is our premier tour for birding and nature photography because the longer time format and route maximises our chances to make quality observations of wildlife. On any given day, we can potentially spot egrets, herons, ibis, barred owls, ospreys, bald eagles, anhingas, ducks, woodpeckers, prothonotary warblers and more; plus occasionally, rare species such as the roseate spoonbill!