The Waterfront Duck, an all-in-one land and water tour, will launch in Cape Town this month.
‘The Duck’ is a 40-seater amphibious vehicle that transforms from a bus to a boat mid-journey.
The vehicle was built by Seahorse Amphibious in Windsor, UK, and imported into South Africa by The Waterfront Duck Company. ‘Ducks’ were originally built by The General Motors Corporation for use in World War II, but were adapted for tourism and civilian use after the war, especially in the US.
The tour starts from the Waterfront, passing Cape Town Stadium, and winds along the Atlantic Seaboard to take in some famous landmarks and scenic views. On the way, passengers will see Cape Town’s highlights and hear interesting facts and anecdotes about the Mother City. After this, the vehicle heads back to the harbour area.
From there, the vehicle splashes into the water near the Cape Grace Hotel to cruise around the V&A Marina and Harbour. The ‘ConDUCKtor’ (skipper) will then relate the history and the modern aspects of the harbour, and the passengers will also learn about the marine life and ecology of the area. Thereafter, the tour heads back up the ramp and returns to its station.
The official launch date for the amphibious passenger tours is July 31, although the company might start with a soft launch before that, regulatory approval permitting.