The Waterfront Duck Co. - Cape Town has a bus-boat!
Is it a boat? Is it a bus? It’s both! Cape Town has its first amphibious vehicle (that I’m aware of) in the form of The Waterfront Duck Co.’s unique bus-boat!
It launched on 6 Aug and we were there to Sharonicle the event, going on what was probably its second trip ever! (They could only fit so many media people on the first.)
The opening event took place at The Radisson Red, in the Silo District of the V&A Waterfront with tourism partners, media and V&A Waterfront management present. They even served us special bright yellow cocktails to match the bus/boat.
What to Expect from the Waterfront Duck Co.
The Waterfront Duck Co. combines the excitement of a bus trip with the thrill of a boat ride.
Guests will board the vehicle near the boat bus station outside the Silo Hotel in the Silo District. It will then embark on a journey through the Waterfront and surrounding area taking in sights of the city from its roads, before driving into the water and floating through the V&A Waterfront area. So if you can’t choose between a bus ride and a boat ride, now you don’t have to!
Guests will board the vehicle near the boat bus station outside the Silo Hotel in the Silo District. It will then embark on a journey through the Waterfront and surrounding area taking in sights of the city from its roads, before driving into the water and floating through the V&A Waterfront area. So if you can’t choose between a bus ride and a boat ride, now you don’t have to!
The 36-seater amphibious vehicle was built by Seahorse Amphibious and imported from the UK. It will be joined by a second amphibious duck vehicle in the coming months. Fun fact: Most duck species mate for life so it seems right that there should be a pair. (…I can’t speak for amphibians though.)
Fueled by Passion
My favourite thing about the launch event was hearing Keith Lindsay, the managing director of the Waterfront Duck Co., talk about how he came up with the idea on the Boston Duck on a trip to the USA. He also spoke about all the many hurdles he had to overcome and the red tape he had to cross to make this a reality, and a legal one at that. Naming the first boat after his own daughter, it seemed like a profoundly personal business endeavour and it was heartwarming to see someone achieve a dream that has clearly been a long time in the making. |
| Keith Lindsay telling his story |
We were driven/steered by Quack-tain Ronnie and “Con-duck-tor Dan” provided insightful commentary on the surrounding attractions. So, if the boat/bus trip isn’t fun enough (and it is) it also opens up a wealth of opportunity for ducking terrible puns and duck-related dad jokes.
Here's a little preview of what you can look forward to:
The Waterfront Duck Co. trips will operate daily, offering multiple departure times. Tickets can be purchased online at theduckco.co.za or at the Silo District Kiosk at the V&A Waterfront.
Other things to do nearby:
- For a full range of things to do in the area, read this post on things to do in the vicinity of the Cape Town Cruise Port.
- You can go on a sunset kayaking adventure.
- See the fish at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
- Also nearby is the Hotel Sky with its adrenaline-inducing Sky-Hi Ride.
- And if you're looking for more quirky and unusual things to do in Cape Town, we have plenty of ideas:
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