It was a bit of a drive from Lafayette to McGee's Swamp Tours but it is sure worth it! The Atchafalaya Swamp is definitely your chance to get up close with alligators... but not too close. Well, you get pretty close.
I didn't know what to expect as we boarded the boat. Before we saw the big swamp creatures we got a nice tour of the area. It is so beautiful to see untouched areas with trees, water and nature in full force. As the boat continued on, we slowed down as we approached gator territory.
I'll admit, I got a little nervous when we saw some in the distance and they got closer to the boat. Little did I know how close they would actually get. Keep scrolling to see the pics and videos.
There are lots of educational components to a tour with McGee's. We hear about the history of the area and some pretty funny stories along the way. As we zip through the water we pass many people on boats, some casting fishing lines and enjoying an afternoon in the sun.
For a brief moment the boat motor is shut off and we drift while listening to the sounds of the Atchafalaya Swamp. This really is nature at its finest.
In between stories our guide is constantly looking around to see movement in the water and if there's a gator sighting. Quickly I learned that there are parts of the swamp known to boaters because they go right to the spot where the alligators are waiting. What are they waiting for? Food. Turns out the gators know the boaters come with treats.
We're reminded to keep our feet and cameras well within the boat because the gator might not be able to determine what's food and what's not. Trust me, I'm mindful of that the whole time our boat is circled. Truthfully, it's not scary at all and it's quite fascinating to learn about the environment.