There are several swamp tours within 45 minutes of the French Quarter. We decided on Dr. Wagner's due to his credentials. We made the right choice. Dr. Wagner, himself, conducted our tour as he has been since 1982. It was a very hot muggy July day when we ventured out of our air-conditioned condo to track around the swamps in search of alligators. Were we crazy or what! The boat we boarded held about 12 people and was covered. Some of their tours are on uncovered boats. While this might not seem to be a big deal, in the 100 degree hot sun it made sense to us.
Honey Island got its name from the honeybees seen on the island. We didn't see any ourselves. This swamp is almost a pristine wilderness in an unaltered state. The moss hanging on the gnarled cypress trees, along with the smell of wild azaleas, made for a charming tour.
As the boat quietly glides through the swamps you are able to see all types of wildlife on the banks and in the water. Old stumps of dead trees lie just below the water's surface, the reason for a shallow draft boat. Each type of bird, fish, and bear is pointed out, a good thing since our less experienced eyes would have missed most of them. The entire trip we were all on the look out for an alligator.
Dr. Wagner tells tales of how the pirates of olden days "laid low" in the swamps and gives an ongoing dialogue on the migration and feeding patterns of all his wildlife friends. He is extremely knowledgeable and has a wonderful sense of humor.
About halfway through the tour we came upon our first recognizable alligators. They obviously knew Dr. Wagner too because they came swimming toward the boat to retrieve their marshmallow treats that he tossed out to them. The two largest alligators we saw were each about 10 feet long and came within touching distance of the boat, though no one was fool-hearty enough to try. You got a good glimpse of their teeth when they snapped at the next marshmallow.
The last portion of the tour consists of a high speed run down the center of the wide Pearl River with tales of the inhabitants and human interest stories of the area. We even pulled over to "visit" a named pot-belly pig living at one of the river homes. It was a light-hearted but very informative tour, one we'd definitely recommend to others. Be sure to get Dr. Paul Wagner's Honey Island Tour - there is another Honey Island Swamp Tour in the area. I'd also recommend a covered boat - we were told stories of how snakes hanging in the cypress trees have dropped into the boat for a visit. I'm not that adventureous, give me the roof.
Reservations are required and can be made by calling 985/641-1769.