When I realised we were heading into swamp country on our roadtrip, I remembered how much fun I had on the airboat ride in the Everglades in Florida years ago, and decided I wanted to go again. Then when I saw photos of the Atchafalaya Swap with its cypress tree trunks coming out of the water, covered in Spanish moss, there were no going back. Next was to check if it was possible to make another wish come true, to have an airboat all to my-/ourselves. After looking high and low, and wading through a few tour companies, I came across Cypress Cove Landing, and it was all spot on!! Just perfect! Private tour, with departure at our own convenience. Driving in from Biloxi, Mississippi, that morning, a trip close to 3 hours, having that kind of flexibility definitely made life easier. We did end up being a little bit late, but kept Cap. Mitch updated on our ETA, and it proved not to be a problem. After getting all the formalities out of the way, saying hello, going to the restroom, paying our dues, we were off, and loving it! In a small airboat, with room for 4-5 people, Cap. Mitch, my friend and I left the dock, flying across the bayous and marshes, both open waters and in between the trees. After a while we stopped in the middle of a forest for some educational input. Interesting, but I must admit, I was there for the scenery, and the airboat 🙂 Had I gotten to spot some more wildlife than we did, saw some birds and a small alligator only, think it was “out of season”, it would have been a bonus. One thing I sadly didn’t discover until plans were in place, was that it was possible to rent a houseboat, in such a way that they tow the houseboat into the swamp somewhere, and leave you… Sounds so exciting, but then again I have an irrational fear of bugs, creepy crawlies and such, so I guess it was a good thing we stayed away 🙂 My travel mate was very happy I didn’t discover it until it was too late 😀 Houseboat or no houseboat, I had the time of my life gliding through the swamp!!
Cypress Cove Landing is located just outside Henderson, Louisiana, closest big city is Lafayette. The directions on the company’s website were easy to follow – just beware the immediate, and I mean immediate, downhill after taking the landing exit, and going up the hill – you can easily get a flying start 😉
Website: atchafalaya.org
