Tourists can see the unique ecosystem of the bayous from a relaxing cruise.
A bayou is a small, marshy waterway with slow moving water that connects to a larger body of water. Bayous exist in the southeastern part of Texas and along the southern portion of Louisiana. The bayou is rich in wildlife many travelers never get a chance to see in other places: alligators warm themselves along the banks, jumping fish travel along with pontoon boats, and nutria hunt for prey in the tall grasses. Taking a boat cruise gives bayou visitors a chance to see this world up close in a safe and comfortable environment.
Armand Bayou Nature Center
The Armand Bayou Nature Center in Pasadena, Texas, offers several bayou tours and pontoon boat cruises for visitors. The Breakfast on the Bayou cruise gives visitors a chance to see the bayou in the early morning hours every Saturday morning. The cruise includes breakfast, juice and coffee. The Sunset Cruise travels through the Armand Bayou Nature Center at sunset, a calm time on the water. The sunset cruise runs every Saturday; times vary depending on the time of sunset. Visitors depart shortly before sunset and return shortly before nightfall.
Nighttime is a whole other world on the bayou; visitors may see alligators, nutria, owls and other nocturnal wildlife up close on Armand Bayou Nature Center's Moonlight Cruise. The Moonlight Cruise departs on Saturdays after sunset. Neither the sunset or moonlight cruise offer any food or refreshments. Children and seniors receive a discounted rate.
Armand Bayou Nature Center
8500 Bay Area Blvd.
Pasadena, Texas 77507
281-474-2551
Abnc.org
Buffalo Bayou Boat Tours
Visitors to the Houston, Texas, area can choose from several boat cruises on the Buffalo Bayou through the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. This group offers a quick 30-minute ride on the second Saturday of each month. For a longer cruise, the two-hour "Looking Back" tour is held one Saturday of the month. A local historian hosts this combination history and nature trip. The partnership also offers a night cruise on a pontoon boat to the Waugh Bridge to see the free-tailed bat colonies who call the bridge home. The night tour runs the second and fourth Friday of the month.
Buffalo Bayou Partnership
Vine Street Studios
1113 Vine Street Suite 200
Houston, Texas 77002
713-752-0314
Buffalobayou.org
Cajun Critters Swamp Tour
The Cajun Critters Swamp Tour takes visitors on a two-hour trip through the Bayou Segnette, just outside of New Orleans, Louisiana. The tour begins in a restaurant at the edge of the Bayou Segnette where visitors order local favorites like raw oysters. From there, sail on a Coast Guard-approved pontoon boat for a tour of the bayou narrated by the captain. The Cajun Critters Swamp Tour runs daily throughout the year.
Cajun Critters Swamp Tour
363 Louisiana St.
Westwego, LA, 70094
504-347-0962
Cajunswamptour.com
Tags: Armand Bayou, Armand Bayou Nature, Bayou Nature, Bayou Nature Center, Nature Center