The city of New Orleans has a lot going for it- the cobblestone streets of the French Quarter, a vibrant music culture, some of the best food in the U.S. and the easy going grandeur of the Garden District attract millions of visitors each year. Just beyond the city limits lies a completely different but equally fascinating world, where gnarled cypress laced with Spanish moss frame the silent waters and where the gator is king.
I’m talking about the swamp
The folks at Cajun Encounters lead New Orleans’ top rated swamp tour and they were nice enough to pick me up right at my hotel (it wasn’t just because I’m so darn likable either, it’s a service they extend to all of their guests). A 45 minute ride in one of their comfortable buses transported me to the sleepy town of Slidell where we would explore Honey Island Swamp.
Little did I know that I would get my first wildlife sighting as soon as our caravan arrived. I heard a rustle in the grass and spotted a pair of yellow eyes peering back out at me. Though armed with sharp teeth and claws its most formidable weapon was overwhelming cuteness.
I just had my first face to face encounter with a swamp kitty.
While I could have spent all afternoon playing with this fluffball and his friends it was time to go searching for some slightly larger wildlife. Our small covered boat was piloted by the good humored Captain Bishop, whose beard would be the envy of any Brooklyn hipster, but his lilting twang and good ol’ boy nature make him every bit the Cajun you’d expect. We took to the muddy waters of the Pearl River to start our adventure.
I thought I knew about swamps. I live about an hour from Virginia’s Great Dismal Swamp and consider Florida a second home but Honey Island Swamp was different. Everything here was more rugged, more wild, more primal. Honey Island Swamp is large,about 250 square miles, with about 70,000 acres designated as protected wildlife area making it one of the most pristine wetlands you’ll find in the South. The swamp is home to a plethora of wildlife including alligators, nutria, a vareity of birds, turtles, snakes and black bear. There’s even been rumor of a Bigfoot-like beast roaming these marshes whom locals have dubbed the Honey Island Swamp monster. Visiting in the winter meant I would be trading in the swamp’s characteristic lush vegetation in every possible shade of green for its eerily beautiful grayscale skeleton, the white wisps of Spanish moss giving the swamp an even more mysterious air.
Winter also means the wildlife was a little less active but an unseasonable warm day brought a few hearty souls out looking to soak up a little warmth before the cold settled in again. A couple box turtles basking in the sun and a Southern watersnake were just a prelude to the swamp’s most famous resident.
That’s right, we found us a gator, and a big one at that.
Winding our way deeper into the swamp we came across this 7 foot male surveying his territory. He paid us no mind, more concerned with with soaking up a little heat on this pleasant sunny 70 degree day. Alligators are plentiful in this area and guides have spotted ones as large as 11 feet long.
While I can’t tell you if pigs fly I now know they sure as heck are great swimmers. A pack of wild hogs also calls Honey Island swamp home. While they bear a resemblence to their barnyard cousins they are wholly wild animals and should be treated as such. My jaw dropped when one of the hogs stood by the side of the boat and the first thing the young couple across from me does was turn around a take a selfie.
Seriously this ain’t Wilbur we’re dealing with here. Keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times.
Just look at those chompers!
Alligators and hogs aren’t the only ones making a home here. Native Americans have lived in this area for centuries and were later joined by Creole and Cajun settlers as well as African descended slaves and free black people. A few hearty souls still live here in homes built on the river, many reachable only by boat. Some of these houses also served as the set for the movie “Beasts of the Southern Wild”.
Crossing back under this bridge we left the swamp to board our bus and head back over Lake Pontchartrain to New Orleans. I knew time would do little to change this swamp or the people and animals that call it home.
Just as it has always been.
Looking to go on your own swamp adventure? The folks at Cajun Encounters are ready to show you around. They also offer plantation and city tours, check them out at cajunencounters.com.
I was graciously hosted by Cajun Encounters and The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau but as always all opinions are my own. For more information please visit their website at www.neworleanscvb.com or on Facebook(New Orleans), Twitter (@NewOrleans) and Instagram (NewOrleansCVB).
Tamara @ We3Travel says
My husband and I had an awesome pre-baby trip to New Orleans and we went on one of these swamp tours. It was so fun! We saw tons of alligators, but no hogs! Our crazy guide even jumped into the bayou to play with the alligators.
Brianna says
You couldn’t pay me to get in the water with gators!
Stephen Lioy says
One of my favorite summer things back in the day was taking my dad’s boat out in the wetlands to go fishing for an afternoon. Especially when you’ve been sitting on the still water in a quiet corner for an hour or two, it was always a little surprising to look over and see an alligator floating past! Glad you enjoyed it as well.
Brianna says
Gators usually are pretty docile but I’d hate to see one onry!
Casey O'Connell says
Wow, this sounds like quite the adventure!! I’ve always wanted to go to New Orleans, but I can’t say the swamp has been a top priority for me… looks like the hogs want to be left alone! haha But I would totally do this tour! Sounds like a fun way to see more of what the South has to offer!
Brianna says
It was a fun tour and a great way to see a different side of Louisiana.
Chanel | Cultural Xplorer says
I took a swamp tour with Cajun Encounters back in 2013 and it was one of the highlights of my trip to New Orleans 🙂 It’s funny that you saw a hog in the water. We saw quite a bit of crocs and I took a short video of one getting fed, made for some great footage.
Brianna says
Cajun Encounters was a great group to go out on the water with- I would have loved to have seen one of the gators feeding but they were a little on the sluggish side with the recent cold snap.
Steve says
Did the couple taking the selfie with the wild hog survive the tour?
Brianna says
Yes but I’m still dumbfounded by that couple-smh.
Els says
These wild hogs look really scary! Never imagined you could do a swamp-thing close to New Orleans!
Brianna says
Louisiana is a different world once you cross the city limits.
Elaine J. Masters says
I do that tour in a heartbeat. The pictures were so evocative but I wanted to hear and smell the place. That’s what good travel writing does. Well done.
Brianna says
Thanks Elaine- the swamp really is a different world and I was excited to experience it.
Tim says
That looks right up my alley for the road trip I have been telling you about later in the year. I will contact Cajun Encounters and let them know I read about them on your blog. I am very excited to get down there and explore.
Brianna says
and I’m excited to read what adventures you get into 🙂
Tim says
Oh, I can’t wait. I have been dreaming of this trip for some time.
Tiana says
I was totally not expecting to see pigs swimming! We are headed there in April. Can’t wait!
Brianna says
I wasn’t either! Are you going for Jazz Fest?
Carol Colborn says
Wow, quite an adventure! And you have so vividly captured it in great photos! Have been to New Orleans twice but never knew you could do this. Did you have Cajun food, too?
Brianna says
Thanks Carol- you should give it a try next time. I did eat quite well in NOLA 🙂
Samantha says
Ooh a swamp is any nature/wildlife lover’s top place to go. There are so many animals that live in swamps as you definitely saw on your visit. I would love to do this tour!
Brianna says
It was starkly different from the Euro-Caribbean vice of the city and a great tour.
chrysoula says
I had a similar experience in Florida but yours seems better. I also love your photos they are great!
Brianna says
Thanks Chrysoula- this was definitely a much different swamp than any I had encountered in Florida myself.
Jennifer says
That looks like it was a swampy good time! I did a similar trip a few years ago and it was great fun and a nice addition to a trip to New Orleans.
Meg Jerrard says
Who knew pigs were such great swimmers!! Thanks for this post – I hadn’t associated New Orleans with swamp tours before, so I’ve learnt somethign new today – sounds like a fun adventure…as long as you keep your limbs inside the boat 😀
Brianna says
The hogs may be in cahoots with the Honey Island Swamp monster as well…..
Gina Zammit says
I did this tour a few years ago – watched one of the guys get bit by an alligator baby!
Brianna says
Just one more reason you won’t see me handling any alligators (of any size!)
Wandering Carol says
Fantastic post. Who knew there were swamp hogs? Wow, the photos freaked me out. I also didn’t realize how beautiful a winter swamp could be. Nice! PS: Love Swamp Kitty.
Brianna says
Thanks Carol, I would have been happy to just play with the swamp kitties all afternoon!
Natalie says
When we went to NOLA a few years ago, I’m pretty sure we took a tour from the exact same company! They were great, and I really enjoyed seeing the alligators. I didn’t enjoy the dozen or so cottonmouth snakes we saw–I HATE snakes. Great pictures!
Brianna says
I’m not a big fan of cottonmouths either-they are ornery!
melody pittman says
Cool, fun article! My parents did the swamp tour on their NOLA visit and loved it. I would have bad dreams for weeks if I had seen those snakes curled in the trees. Oh my! Speaking of wild hogs, we have been having a big problem with them in Vero Beach, Florida. Was just reading about it this week. I don’t want to come face to face with them.
Your visit to the swamps looks like a very fun side trip while in New Orleans. Glad you enjoyed. I liked the kitty. 🙂
Brianna says
I was surprised to see the hogs myself! I’d heard of wild hogs in the US but had never seen any until this trip.
Mark and Kate @vagrantsoftheworld says
This has always been one of our true ‘bucket list’ items. Have always loved swamps and the south. There is just something that draws you to it. It’s also great when you hit on a really good tour company, just makes the experience so much better.
Brianna says
When you make it here(and I know you will) Cajun Encounters will take great care of you.
Bianca @itsallbee says
I actually missed some of the animals until I scrolled back up for a second pass. I missed the scary snake. We have plenty of alligators in Zambia those things freak me out! Beautiful pics btw.
Brianna says
The snakes weren’t that bad, I have pretty decent zoom on my camera;)
Susan says
Swamp living is so fascinating to me, I would never be able to do it but its so interesting to see that people really enjoy living there.
Brianna says
It really is a different world down there.
Howard @ Backroad Planet says
I love New Orleans, but the swamp tours remind me too much of our swamps here in Florida. I was, however, impressed with the swimming pigs. I am sure city folks would love a tour like this!
Brianna says
I found it different from the swamps I’ve seen in Florida
Andreja says
Haha, I dont like swamps at all, but those pigs looks awesome, would love to feed them!
Francesca @onegrloneworld says
I love your writing style!
I can’t believe you saw pigs and a swamp kitty lol, I wouldn’t expect those two!
Brianna says
Thanks Francesca 🙂 I didn’t expect the kitties and the hogs either!
Corinne says
Wow! I love a swamp tour. I’ve been on one, but I didn’t see nearly the things you did. I’d definitely do it again. Love your croc shots!
Brianna says
Thanks Corinne, look up Cajun Encounters if you’re ever in NOLA!
Jessica Claudio, DVM says
Wow great pictures! Wild hogs are quite vicious. I can only imagine how you felt during your encounter.
Brianna says
I’m glad I was safely in the confines of the boat!
Donny says
Beautiful pictures! The forests of the south are so distinctive.
Brianna says
Thanks, it really was a whole different world.
Joanna says
Brianna, I love how haunting the photos are of the swamp. I’ve always wanted to visit New Orleans (and do ghost tours while there), but I’m not sure I could deal with a ghostly swamp!
Brianna says
You simple must stop by the swamp, its a very otherworldly experience.
Kelly | The Wandering Blonde says
This looks like such a cool experience! I lived in Florida for 8 years, and this does look really different than the swamps there! I live in Houston now, so I’m pretty close to New Orleans and dying to get down there eventually.
Brianna says
You are too close to New Orleans not too go there, you’ll love it!
Revati Victor says
Oh my god. You are so brave for doing this. I would never ever ever ever ever!! Just the pictures, and imagining you sitting there clicking them freaked me out enough.
Brianna says
The weather was on the cool side so the gators weren’t going anywhere fast. You would never catch me swimming in that water though
raphael zoren says
Scary”!!! I have a deep fear of crocodiles and dinosaurs!!! 😮
Nola Kayak Tours says
Nice photos! Come see us sometime!
Brianna says
Save me a spot!
Jake says
Great wetland shots! I’m hoping to see this sort of habitat soon. We don’t quite have the gators and hogs and scary swamp moss and stuff here in CO. But our wetlands (at least up high) have the occasional moose! I’ve always loved old boats too, you captured a couple. Nice write up, looks like a great trip!
Jake Johnson says
Such amazing photo’s, makes me want to go to cajun and experience what you’ve experience. Just reading this post feels like i’m also touring there too.