Float through Honey Island Swamp’s slow backwaters on a guided two-hour kayak tour from the Old Pearl River launch. Small groups, calm water and abundant wildlife make this an accessible paddle for beginners and nature lovers.
Float through Honey Island Swamp’s slow backwaters on a guided two-hour kayak tour from the Old Pearl River launch. Small groups, calm water and abundant wildlife make this an accessible paddle for beginners and nature lovers.
You push off from a low, weathered launch at the Old Pearl River and the water takes you—calm, dark, and patient—threading between giant cypress that have stood through hurricanes and harvests. Spanish moss brushes your shoulder; the surface reflects a sky that the swamp seems to keep to itself.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by KoKoMo Kayaks · Slidell, Louisiana
You push off from a low, weathered launch at the Old Pearl River and the water takes you—calm, dark, and patient—threading between giant cypress that have stood through hurricanes and harvests. Spanish moss brushes your shoulder; the surface reflects a sky that the swamp seems to keep to itself.
Honey Island Swamp is one of the least-developed coastal swamps in the lower Mississippi basin. Its backwaters are slow, fed by the Pearl River and seasonal runoff, creating tannin-stained channels where cypress knees and submerged logs form the architecture of the floodplain. The area carries layers of human history too: indigenous peoples and later French and Spanish settlers used these waterways for travel and resources, and some cypress trees here are recorded on the National Register.
On this guided, two-hour paddle you’ll move through narrow trails and wider sloughs, learning about the swamp ecosystem, local folklore, and the role these backwaters play in coastal flood mitigation. Wildlife is abundant; expect wading birds, turtles sunning on logs and the occasional alligator slipping beneath the surface.
Practical guidance: tours launch near I-59 Exit 5A (Old Pearl River Boat Launch) and are small—max ~10 paddlers—suitable for beginners. Wear quick-drying layers, shoes that can get wet, and bring water, sunscreen, and a dry bag for essentials. Morning trips are cooler and bird activity is higher; late afternoon can bring insects and changing light. The operator supplies kayaks, paddles, and life jackets; basic paddling instruction is provided.
This is a low-impact, interpretive outing—move slowly, keep distance from wildlife, and pack out everything you bring in.
easy.
2 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; basic upper-body stamina for paddling and the ability to sit for 2 hours is helpful.
The guided paddle is approximately 2 hours and departs from the Old Pearl River Boat Launch near I-59 Exit 5A; plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
No—this trip is suitable for beginners; instructors run through basic paddling and safety before launch.
Common sightings include herons, egrets, turtles, and sometimes alligators; sightings vary with season and time of day.
Full refunds are typically available if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure; tours may also cancel for bad weather or low participation.
The waterways here were used for centuries by indigenous peoples and later by European settlers; selective logging in the 19th and 20th centuries shaped current channel patterns.
The swamp buffers coastal floods and supports diverse wetland species—stay on designated channels and avoid disturbing vegetation to minimize impact.
KoKoMo Kayaks operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.




You push off from a low, weathered launch at the Old Pearl River and the water takes you—calm, dark, and patient—threading between giant cypress that have stood through hurricanes and harvests. Spanish moss brushes your shoulder; the surface reflects a sky that the swamp seems to keep to itself.
You push off from a low, weathered launch at the Old Pearl River and the water takes you—calm, dark, and patient—threading between giant cypress that have stood through hurricanes and harvests. Spanish moss brushes your shoulder; the surface reflects a sky that the swamp seems to keep to itself.
Honey Island Swamp is one of the least-developed coastal swamps in the lower Mississippi basin. Its backwaters are slow, fed by the Pearl River and seasonal runoff, creating tannin-stained channels where cypress knees and submerged logs form the architecture of the floodplain. The area carries layers of human history too: indigenous peoples and later French and Spanish settlers used these waterways for travel and resources, and some cypress trees here are recorded on the National Register.
On this guided, two-hour paddle you’ll move through narrow trails and wider sloughs, learning about the swamp ecosystem, local folklore, and the role these backwaters play in coastal flood mitigation. Wildlife is abundant; expect wading birds, turtles sunning on logs and the occasional alligator slipping beneath the surface.
Practical guidance: tours launch near I-59 Exit 5A (Old Pearl River Boat Launch) and are small—max ~10 paddlers—suitable for beginners. Wear quick-drying layers, shoes that can get wet, and bring water, sunscreen, and a dry bag for essentials. Morning trips are cooler and bird activity is higher; late afternoon can bring insects and changing light. The operator supplies kayaks, paddles, and life jackets; basic paddling instruction is provided.
This is a low-impact, interpretive outing—move slowly, keep distance from wildlife, and pack out everything you bring in.