Spotlight: Honey Island Swamp is a marshland, north-east of Lake Pontchartrain, near the Louisiana/Mississippi border. The swamp got its name due to the abundance of honey bees that were found on one of the islands. The swamp, managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, is regarded as one of the least altered swamps in the country, and covers an area more than 20 miles long by 7 miles wide (approximately 70,000 acres). The swamp is inhabited by a large variety of fauna, including various species of: alligators, turtles, snakes, frogs, birds, fish, nutria, deer, red fox, bobcat, black bear, feral hogs, opossum, raccoon, otter, beaver, muskrat and mink. Legend also claims that it is the home of the Honey Island Swamp Monster - a creature similar to Bigfoot.
 |
| Honey Island Swamp |
The Honey Island Swamp Tour is conducted on small boats (both covered and uncovered) that allow deep access into the swamp. The boats are Coast Guard-inspected and the tours are given by knowledgeable, licensed professionals native to the area.
 |
| On the boat with our guide |
Location: 41490 Crawford Landing Rd, Slidell, LA 70461; Lat: 30.3030228 Lon: -89.706459 (about a 45-minute drive from New Orleans).
Cost: $34/adult, $23/child (cash); group rates are available for groups of 16+
Time: The 2-hour tour is offered daily (except major holidays) at 9:00 am, 11:30 am, 2 pm and sometimes at 4:30 pm (seasonally). Guests are asked to arrive 1/2 hour early.
Description: The Honey Island Swamp Tour was the most fun activity we did on our Louisiana trip. The day we were supposed to go, there was a tornado that touched down on the other side of the lake, and rain was coming down in torrents. Luckily, we were able to reschedule without paying a fee.
 |
| Large mansion - riverside property |
 |
| Typical riverside home |
 |
| Small riverside cabins |
The tour was very interesting. Our guide told us stories about growing up along the swamp, as well as details about the local flora and fauna - including some of the homo sapiens that live in a wide variety of homes along the river banks travelling to and from the swamp. On the tour we saw several alligators, a raccoon, apple snail eggs, a turtle, two snakes, some crawfish (caught in a trap), egrets, herons and ducks. The gators and raccoon were enticed to come close to the boat through the judicious use of marshmallows so that we could get some excellent pictures.
 |
| Gator on the prowl |
 |
| Swamp raccoon |
 |
| Egret along the riverbank |
Rating: 5 stars
Things You Should Know: - Reservations are required (985-641-1769)
- To reach Honey Island Swamp, you will need to cross Lake Pontchartrain via HWY 11 or I-10. The highway crosses the lake on an extended bridge.
- Remember that the animals on the tour are wild. The guide will remind you to keep your body inside the boat at all times because the gators are looking for a hand out.
 |
| Gator looking for a handout |
- The Honey Island Swamp Tour does offer hotel pick-up (7:45 for the 9:00 am tour; 12:30 for the 2 pm tour) for guests for an additional fee.
- Guests are asked to pay in cash.
Nearby: Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Catherine, New Orleans, Lake Borgne (actually an estuary)
