Nestled along the outskirts of Des Allemands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience just waiting to happen that will impact the memories of tourists, locals and even celebrities for a lifetime.
Airboat Tours, guided by Arthur Matherne, provides those that are willing to brave a “wild ride” through Cajun country with an insider’s look at the swamps, marshes and unique wildlife that make up St. Charles Parish and our surrounding areas.
Arthur, a retired chemical plant worker, and his wife, Cathy Matherne, have owned and operated their business as a family since 1994, sharing with others what they as natives enjoy every day.
“Most people look forward to the close encounters with gators in their natural habitat,” said Cathy. “But the most popular tour is what we call the Sunset Tour.”
That tour, which leaves one hour before sunset and comes back 30 minutes after dark, provides riders with a beautiful swamp sunset and lots of photo opportunities.
“We are able to get up close and personal with the alligators and other swamp creatures,” Cathy said. “We are often told that this experience is the highlight of the tour.”
Arthur, who is a U.S.C.G. licensed captain, uses two types of tour boats – a 6-passenger airboat for a more hardcore adventure and a 15-seater for more leisurely site seeing.
“Our airboats are built by Diamondback Airboats of Cocoa, Fla.,” Cathy said. “They are lighter than the airboats that are built in Louisiana, and we have designated trails through the really heavy terrain that makes our tour unique by not using the same path every time.”
Cathy mentions that they’ve also had several celebrities book trips and have been featured on a few big-time television programs.
“We’ve been spotlighted on Brad Paisley’s ‘Muddy Gras,’ MTV’s ‘The Real World’ and on the Travel Channel,” she said.
And many other well-known celebrities have taken tours, including actor Dan Aykroyd, singer Pat Benitar, “K-Ville” actor Cole Hauser, football players John Carney and Jake Delhomme, Microsoft’s Paul Allen, musical acts Uncle Cracker and Staind, and even rapper Mystikal, who rented one of the Matherne’s airboats for his video.
Cathy points out that while spring is the best time of the year to take a tour, fall is also the time to make an appointment.
“Fall is a good time to book a tour because the gators haven’t gone into hibernation yet,” said Cathy. “And we are starting to spot more species of wildlife because the vegetation is not as thick.”
Airboat Tours charges $40 for an hour and $55 for 90 minutes per person on the 15-passenger airboat, and $50 per hour and $70 for 90 minutes on the 6-passenger high performance airboat.
Children under 2 are not allowed on tours, but kids ages 3 to 5 are free of charge.
Special group rates and longer tours are also available.
Tours are by appointment only and can be scheduled anytime during the year. The Matherne’s also accommodate fishing trips and hunting expeditions by request along with kayaking tours and commercial needs.
Airboat Tours is located at 4262 Highway 90 East in Des Allemands. Call 985-758-5531 or 1-800-975-9345 for more information.
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