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Ride The Ducks Seattle Sightseeing Tour

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Today I went on a “ Ride The Ducks Seattle ” Sightseeing Tour in Seattle. It was a different, fun way to explore a new city, and I have enjoyed it pretty much.

It is definitely one of the best things to do in Seattle .

The Ducks, originally called DUKW, are actually amphibious landing crafts used by the US army during World War II.

They were designed to transport cargo from ships at sea to the mainland. Read more about the history here .

The tour started at Westlake Center, from where we headed to Lake Union and crossed the Aurora Bridge, where we enjoyed a beautiful view of Mount Rainier and Lake Union.

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My personal highlight was when we splashed into Lake Union, where we had a breathtaking view of Seattle ‘s skyline.

After half an hour, we were back on the mainland and continued our way, passing by the famous Space Needle and Seattle’s Waterfront.

The tour continued through the Historic District and ended again in Seattle Downtown.

Riding The Ducks is a party on wheels… that floats! Our guide was cracking jokes throughout the whole tour and playing music clips.

He encouraged us to sing, dance, and wave at pedestrians. It is definitely a cool activity with a group of fun people who are into that kind of tour.

Useful Information

Length of the tour: 90 minutes (One hour on land and about half an hour in the water)

Start of the tour: Seattle Center or Westlake Center

Adults – $29 + taxes

Children (3 to 12) – $18 + taxes

Infants (0 to 2) – $1 + taxes

Disclaimer: I was provided with the tickets to take the “Ride The Ducks Tour” in Seattle. No other compensation has been provided. My opinion, as always, is solely my own. I have enjoyed this tour and think it’s a nice and different way to explore Seattle .  

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• About the Author

Tim Kroeger is a seasoned professional in International Tourism Management, specializing in Luxury Adventure Travel , Luxury Hotel Reviews , and Tourism in Costa Rica .

Expertises: International Tourism Management, Tourism in Costa Rica, International tourism advertising, Adventure travel, Luxury Adventure Travel

7 responses to “Ride The Ducks Seattle Sightseeing Tour”

So looking forward to riding the ducks should I make it to Seattle someday!

That is funny that you went and did this. I have seen them in Chicago and San Francisco but never went for a ride. Now I am thinking I will take the plunge…got to be good for a laugh.

Looks like a fine ride. We had a similar one in Toronto but it's disappeared. Maybe it sprung a leak ….

Excellent, we have a similar one in Dublin – the Viking Splash Tours. Really great fun, everyone dresses up as a Viking and roars at bewildered passers by :)

That boat on wheels looks wicked! Never been to Seattle, but maybe it's a thing to try when I'm there.

Ah I saw these when I was in Seattle last week, but felt it might make me feel like too much of a toursit, so I didn't do it. Great to know I missed something good :)

I believe tour guides can make or break a tour. I love tour guides who can entertain a crowd. Lucky you got one :)

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• Local Business

Despite Seattle’s history with Ride the Ducks, tour company plans new fleet of tourist vehicles that go on land, water

John Malouf knows that Seattle may not be keen on the idea of someone launching another fleet of amphibious vehicles on its waters and roadways.

It was just six years ago that a Ride the Ducks of Seattle vehicle loaded with tourists broke an axle and crashed into a bus filled with international students, killing five people and injuring 60. Millions were paid out to victims and their families , resulting in the tour company closing and filing for bankruptcy in April of last year.

“I know your history well,” Malouf said of the crash, and the legal journey that followed.

Still, Malouf thinks this is a prime spot to launch his Seattle Splash Tours , an “amphibious adventure” scheduled to open this summer, offering 90-minute rides on land and water in Hydra-Terra vehicles built for tourism by Cool Amphibious Manufacturers International.

“This is a completely different amphibian, built for tours,” said Malouf, who has been running Alaska Amphibious Tours in Ketchikan, Alaska, for the last 20 years.

 “It really comes down to safety.”

Unlike the Ducks vehicles — some of which were built in the 1940s and ’50s for use in the military, and maintained for decades — Seattle Splash Tours will use newer vehicles made with modern parts. The oldest vehicle in his fleet is 20 years old, he said, and the aluminum hull is filled with Coast Guard-approved buoyancy foam, “which is a huge advantage.”

“You can’t sink ‘em,” he said. “They are positively buoyant.”

His vehicles have “proven performance” in 16 countries, and he called them “the safest amphibious vehicles for tourism.”

His tour company has had one death in its history: In 2004, a pedestrian walked in front of a vehicle and was killed . Investigators found the company was not at fault.

Malouf has received a two-month permit from Seattle’s Department of Parks and Recreation to launch the vehicles at the Sunnyside Avenue North boat ramp, where the Ducks used to launch, and where he hopes good times will begin again. 

“We feel there is a bit of a vacuum there,” Malouf said of Seattle, a city he got to know well as a harvest diver. “There is a good market there. Seattle is a great tourist destination, and it has taken a hit in the last couple of years.

“It could use a little splash and fun.”

Where the Ducks tours had a more comedic tone — “Captains” at the wheel with funny names and crazy hats, punning and playing loud music — the Splash tours will be more informative, but still a good time, he said.

“We like to have fun,” Malouf said. “I think Ride the Ducks had huge local sponsorship, and after the accident, they had a hard time getting through that.

“We’re going to stand on our own,” he continued. “We’re a different company and do things the way we like to do it. And safety is our priority, coming in.”

In February 2019, after a four-month civil trial, a King County jury awarded the victims of the crash $123 million. The jury determined that Ride the Ducks International — the Branson, Missouri-based manufacturer of the Duck amphibious vehicle — bore 67% to 70% of the responsibility for the crash; and that Ride the Ducks of Seattle was 30% to 33% at fault. Awards to each of the 40 plaintiffs ranged from $40,000 to $25 million.

After the crash, the state Utilities and Transportation Commission, which regulates commercial charter buses and tourist vehicles statewide, suspended the local company from operating its 20 tourist vehicles and also found that Ducks Seattle had 463 safety violations.

Last year, four U.S. senators introduced the Duck Boat Safety Enhancement Act, after a 2018 duck boat accident in which 17 people were killed on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri.

The bill passed the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and is expected to be considered by the full Senate this year.

If passed, the law would reinforce National Transportation Safety Board recommendations, requiring the use of life jackets and equipping all operating duck boats to be more buoyant in case of emergency flooding. The law would also require the logging of safety actions; annual safety training for crew members; and the consideration of safety recommendations in previous incident reports.

Ride the Ducks left Seattle for good last July, when the 19 remaining vehicles were put up for auction , and sold for between $5,000 and $45,000; the higher bid was for a vehicle painted with the University of Washington colors and logo.

“They exceeded the best expectations we had,” said Colin Murphy, of the James G. Murphy Company, which handled the weeklong auction. “And we didn’t have a clue what they would go for, because they aren’t really for sale on the open market.”

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The vehicles were sold to mostly private owners, from Mount Vernon in Skagit County to New York, Maine and Florida.

“They landed everywhere,” Murphy said, adding the Ducks portable ticket office sold for $4,500.

Malouf has no set start date for selling tickets. But he expects a little pushback, considering what has happened here, and in other parts of the country where amphibious vehicles were involved in accidents.

“Of course, there is going to be resistance,” he said. “There are always going to be haters. But you just keep a smile on and keep on trucking.”

And floating. That, too.

Best Ways to Tour Seattle: Ride the Ducks of Seattle

Whether you’ve lived in Seattle for years or are only in town for a few days, the Ride the Ducks of Seattle is a great way to get outside, breathe some fresh air, and see all that Seattle has to offer.

In this post, we’ll explore what Ride the Ducks of Seattle are, how they can give you a unique perspective into the Emerald City, and how Starline’s limo service can help make the experience even more enjoyable.

What are “Ducks?”

Ducks (originally named DUKW by the Army) are WWII-era military amphibious vehicles that effortlessly roll along the ground, but also double as a boat. In fact, when it’s time to transition from land to water, Ducks simply roll in or out.

While these vehicles were originally intended to transport cargo and personnel from ships at sea to land, they now can transport you to Seattle destinations in a whole new fun and exciting way!

What is the Ride the Ducks of Seattle Tour?

Loved by locals and tourists alike, Seattle Duck Tours give you and your family the opportunity to experience all the hottest areas of Seattle, including the Waterfront, Pike Place Market, the downtown shopping district, and even Lake Union.

All Duck tours are guided by Coast Guard certified captains known for their upbeat personalities, intimate knowledge of Seattle, and wacky sense of humor.

Each Seattle Duck Tour lasts about 90 minutes, and covers approximately 20 miles. Throughout the tour you’ll be energized by music, challenged by Seattle-based trivia, and entertained by lighthearted jokes. For full route information, please click here .

Ride the Ducks of Seattle Tips

Here are some quick tips you can use to make your Seattle Duck Tour as awesome as possible:

• Peak season for Seattle Duck Tours is July and August, which means that it’s generally a good idea to purchase tickets in advance in order to reserve your seat—especially on weekends.
• As mentioned above, Seattle Duck Tours are located at the Seattle and Westlake Centers, which are ideally situated by some of the city’s most popular destinations, including the Space Needle, Monorail, and more. This means that you and your family can enjoy a wide variety of activities before and after your Duck Tour.
• Even during the beautiful Seattle summer, there are times when it can become chilly. As a result, it’s generally a good idea to bring a jacket or light blanket along with you. However, the company claims that you won’t get wet during your tour, so there’s no need to bring a poncho or a change of clothes.
• If you’re celebrating a special event (e.g. birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc.), be sure to let customer service know when you’re picking up your tickets, and expect a fun surprise during your tour!
• There are no bathrooms onboard the ducks, so the company always recommends that you “go before you go.”
• If you’re especially tall, you may want to avoid sitting directly behind the Captain, as these seats feature less legroom.

How Can Starline Help You Enjoy the Ducks of Seattle?

Although Seattle Duck Tours are offered 362 days per year, they depart from the Seattle Center and Westlake Center, both of which are located in very congested areas of downtown.

As such, Starline Town Car & Limousine can  pick you up from your hotel — or, if you’re local — directly from your home, giving you the ability to enjoy your Duck Tour without having to worry about parking, and in as hassle free a manner as possible.

Are You Ready to Experience Seattle Duck Tours in Comfort?

Whether it’s just you or your whole family; winter or summer; rain or shine, our Seattle limousine service can make the experience as hassle-free as possible. Our diverse fleet of  vehicles and industry leading customer service ensure that you’ll always be comfortable, and that you’ll always arrive on time.

When you’re ready to focus on having fun, whether it’s at a Seattle Duck Tour or anything else around town, instead of worrying about how you’ll get there, give Starline a call today at (206) 261-1191.

Welcome to Ride the Duck of Seattle!

If you are looking for places that provide honest reviews, guides, tips & tricks to level up your boat, you are at the right place. So, the journey to the sea can be much fun when equipped with the best accessories for your boats. Understanding such requirements, we hope to make sure that your trips are enjoyable, memorable, and, most importantly, safe!

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