Cajun Encounters Tour Company - reviews,open hours,photo spots,things to do | WanderBoat AI Trip Planner

New Orleans is my favorite city in the US, I’ve visited 12 times! From family trips to baecations to friend getaways there’s something for everyone! Most know about big events that take place in NOLA like Mardi Gras & Essence Fest but New Orleans is always a good idea! Take advantage of long weekends, mild winter temps & numerous direct flights to book your trip early in the new year. Here are activity ideas for your visit: 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 🍽️ Take a cooking class so you can recreate some of the amazing meals you’ll have on your trip. I’ve taken classes at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum & The Mardis Gras School of Cooking. 🍽️Try beignets at Cafe du Monde, Cafe Beignet, & Loretta’s 🍽️ Have a Po-Boy at the popular Parkway but really there are many places to try one! 🍽️ Take a food tour to try a variety of places 𝗔𝗿𝘁 & 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 🎭 Visit the Backstreet Cultural Museum to learn the history of Mardi Gras Indian culture 🎭 Explore Vue Orleans, an interactive exhibit that dives into the history, music and culture of NOLA. 🎭 Visit the Southern Food & Beverage Museum to learn about the food and drink culture in the South. 🎭 Attend the Congo Square Rhythms Festival in March to see African dance troupes & local brass bands celebrate the history of Congo Square in Louis Armstrong Park. 🎭 Visit the Ogden Museum of Southern Art for the art or attend children’s events & workshops 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 🎷 Visit the New Orleans Jazz Museum for exhibits like Drumsville: Evolution of the New Orleans Beat 🎷 Listen to live Jazz at Preservation Hall 🎷 Attend one of the many music festivals like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Bayou Boogaloo, & French Quarter Festival. 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 🎢 Zip-lining over alligators at Cajun Encounters 🎢 Go on an airboat ride in the swamp 🎢 Rent bikes or swan boats at CityPark 🎢 Go on a ghost tour 🎢 Drive a Ferrari, doing laps around the track NOLA Motorsports Park 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ✊🏾 Visit Whitney Plantation ✊🏾 Explore the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum ✊🏾 Admire Black art at Studio BE ✊🏾 Retrace the steps of history at McDonogh 19 Elementary School Have you been to @visitneworleans?

thetravelingchildthetravelingchild

989136

I took a Pearl River kayak tour today, and while I was initially nervous about the wildlife, the experience was mostly positive. The accommodations exceeded my expectations. The pickup vehicle was a very comfortable coach bus, and the driver was fun, informative, and played great music. I was also pleasantly surprised to find plenty of clean, comfortable bathrooms at the location, which is a huge improvement over the porta-potties I typically find at kayaking tours. One thing to note is that the website stated that the tandem kayaks had a 550lb weight limit, but the waiver we signed on-site listed a 300lb limit. I don’t know many adult pairs who would stay under that weight, but the lady at check-in said we’d be fine as long as we didn’t intentionally try to tip the boat. The dock was sturdy, making it easy to get in and out of the kayaks, and the river had barely any current, so paddling was a breeze. We saw plenty of alligators right from the start, which was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking! At one point, a larger alligator came uncomfortably close to us because a nearby tour boat driver from the same company threw food into the water right in front of us, which felt unsafe. The only downside was our guide, who didn’t engage much during the tour. I enjoy when guides share interesting facts or stories, but he was pretty quiet unless directly asked a question - his responses seemed educated though. I'm not even sure he ever provided us with his name. Overall, it was a good experience, but more interaction from the guide would have made it even better.

Emily FornaraEmily Fornara

00

I had the absolute pleasure of embarking on a wildlife tour with Cajun Encounters today, and it was nothing short of perfection. We took a group out on a boat through the lush landscapes of Louisiana, where the area's rich biodiversity greeted us. From observing alligators basking in the sun, raccoons scurrying along the banks, turtles gliding in the water, snakes weaving through the marshes, and the breathtaking sight of the Louisiana Iris in full bloom - every moment was a discovery. What made our experience truly exceptional was our tour guide, Everett. I've been fortunate to take tours worldwide, but none compare to Everett's expertise. It’s a rare gift to find someone who knows exactly when to share insightful knowledge when to crack a joke to keep the atmosphere light, and when to let nature do the talking. Everett struck the perfect balance, making the tour educational and incredibly enjoyable. His passion for wildlife and the environment was evident, making us feel connected to the natural beauty surrounding us. It’s clear he’s not just doing a job but sharing his love for Louisiana's unique ecosystem. I cannot recommend Cajun Encounters enough, especially if you can request Everett as your guide. Whether you're a local or a visitor looking for an adventure or a serene escape into nature, this tour is a must. I'll return and recommend Everett and Cajun Encounters to everyone I know. A heartfelt thank you for such an unforgettable day!

Jason FJason F

00

We had a blast with Captain Randy, who shared captivating stories and personal anecdotes that made the tour feel like a cherished experience with a beloved and hilarious close friend or uncle. Despite the slightly overcast weather, we were pleasantly surprised by the number of alligators we encountered, even exceeding our expectations. We saw a variety of wildlife, including a huge American Snapping Turtle, pigs, a raccoon, and two enormous catfish. Randy's attentive guidance ensured a comfortable pace for everyone on the tour- he did not linger, but he did not rush us. He made sure we were all able to interact, get "close", and take pictures. Randy mentioned we'd see larger alligators and more of them once the water hit 70 degrees, leaving me wondering about the tours earlier in the day. Despite the -slightly- overcast skies and wind, our April 6th Cajun Encounter was great. We saw 8 or 9 alligators, with Randy feeding them and keeping them close to the boat. Opting for the smaller boat was worth the extra cost. Randy expertly navigated us for close encounters with the animals, making the experience truly unforgettable. I'll definitely repeat this activity on future trips to New Orleans, hoping for another tour with Randy if possible. Additionally, I recommend choosing the pickup option, as it ensures a hassle-free experience, especially for tourists unfamiliar with the area.

Raven RylanderRaven Rylander

00

The pick up was very easy from a hotel that was close to my hotel. The bus driver was very informative and entertaining during the drive from NO. The bus itself was comfortable. There was no overcrowding when we got there so not a lot of waiting or other people in your way. They give you ample time to stretch your legs and all before grouping up for your tour. The bathrooms were clean and they had a store with a variety of goods and souvenirs that were well priced. It was off season I guess but it made no difference, it was cold and got almost a tad bit unbearable during the few times the boat picked up speed but it was not bad. I say it was off season because if you’re wanting to see loads of wildlife especially gators, they are out when it’s warm and my visit was in December. However, my main goal was to see swamp and being out in the cold and quiet swamp was very serene and peaceful. I did the boat with fewer people and there were only 3 of us, we all enjoyed the experience and agreed the different vibe was great. We did see a few gators and the raccoons were adorable. Loved all the different birds as well. We also had a great and funny captain. Highly recommend going during the colder months for a different experience. Also, the driver can drop you off at any spot which are all over the city, I was able to get dropped off at a closer location to my next stop.

Bianca AparicioBianca Aparicio

00

My family toured with Captain Steve on the VIP ride. The experience was everything we were looking for and more. Aside from the area being beautiful and getting a peaceful trip down the swamp, our guide was incredible. He is interactive and cares for all the guests on his boats, making sure everyone has the opportunity to learn and feel involved throughout the tour. He was great about giving both sides of the boat good views and pointing out all the unique animals and plants throughout the swamp. Along with being knowledgeable, he is charismatic and genuine. We were very lucky to have him as part of our experience. To talk about the benefits of this company versus other swamp tours, the management values and invests in the longevity of the wildlife. They take a profit cut to ensure the food they are using to grab the attention of gators is healthy not only for them but for all of the animals in the swamp. This is something I really appreciated as a nature lover and think anyone going to this area should support. I would absolutely recommend swamp tours with this company specifically. You are in for a great time! We got up close and personal with gators (in a very safe way) and saw raccoons, birds, turtles, and fish along the way as well as being educated on the plant life and what makes everything in this area so special. Enjoy!!

Tara PhiferTara Phifer

10