- The Waterfront Duck, Cape Town’s first amphibious bus, launches today at the V&A Waterfront.
- This unique bus offers a one-hour tour, including a 30-minute sail and a 30-minute land tour.
- The project, conceived by Keith Lindsay, aims to boost tourism and the local economy.
The country’s first amphibious bus, called the ‘Waterfront Duck’, will take to the water around the V&A Waterfront harbour from today (Wednesday).
The bus, the brainchild of Keith Lindsay, owner of Waterfront Duck company, is the newest addition to Cape Town’s tourism offering.
The bright yellow-and-blue bus will offer patrons a unique one-hour land-and-sea tour. This comprises a 30-minute sail around the harbour itself followed by a 30-minute tour of parts of the Atlantic Seaboard.
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Each trip will see an on-board tour guide sharing interesting stories about the city.
The custom-built boat, named after Lindsay’s daughter Bella, was manufactured in Windsor, United Kingdom. The hull is waterproof and has sealed hydraulic axles. Lindsay said the idea was sparked following a family trip to the United States in 2008.
“They have 36 of these buses in Boston, and we just loved it. I loved the idea and thought, why not in Cape Town? I did some research and looked around the world, and it dawned on me wherever one has a story-rich and history-filled city combined with an interesting body of water [one has] the ideal venue for a duck tour.”
Long time coming
He said it took 15 years to get all his “ducks in a row”, but he finally decided to get the project running in 2018.Lindsay said the bus is currently licensed to carry 12 passengers per trip, which will increase to 36 once it is fully operational.
“We will go into the water in front of the Cape Grace Hotel, where passengers will get to explore the harbour and marina area. There are life jackets, a VHF radio and everything else a boat would need.”
Sara Prince, public-relations manager of the Waterfront Duck Company, said it also has a kiosk situated outside the Silo Hotel, where people can book a ride or via the company website.
James Vos, Mayco Member for Economic Growth, said this is an innovative business that brings a unique experience to the city.
“The Waterfront Duck not only enhances Cape Town’s appeal for both locals and visitors, but also aligns perfectly with our goals to drive tourism and economic growth. It’s wonderful to see our tourism sector continually push boundaries and create memorable experiences.”
