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Ride the Ducks of Seattle

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Ride the Ducks of Seattle - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Seattle Duck Tours

Duck tours & tickets, seattle ride the ducks tour.

Voted Best City Tour of Seattle for more than a decade! Climb aboard for a lively land and water tour around the city, complete with your USCG certified

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Sunset cruises.

Sunset brings the peace of a day's end and excitement for the night to come - see it all on a sunset cruise.

Your guide to Seattle

Even for its size, Seattle is easy to get around. The Metro Transit buses are an extremely reliable and convenient way to get about town. You can also use the Link Light Rail that goes from the airport to downtown and areas beyond. There's also the option of taxi cabs and rideshare services. The choice is entirely up to you.

You may have heard a little rumor about Seattle being, well, kind of rainy. Unfortunately, we can't deny this, but we can tell you when to visit to get this fabulous city at its dryest. June through September is your best bet, and these months also offer the warmest daytime temperatures, as much as 75 F or more. October sees the cold set in and the rain get more frequent, and this fairly uninspiring weather carries on through winter.

Seattle has great dining and nightlife scenes, so you'll need to pack a healthy apetite and a lot of energy. In more literal terms, though, we recommend you bring the following:

• A good book: With its many bars, breweries and coffee shops, Seattle offers endless opportunities for sitting, reading and just chilling.
• Team colors: Join locals at a sporting match, whether it be for the Seahawks, Mariners, Sounders, Storm or one of the other beloved Seattle teams.
• Hiking boots: Seattle is within easy reach of many very picturesque hiking roots. And thanks to Discovery Park, you needn't leave the city to hike.

Getting to Seattle

Seattle Packages

This Pacific Northwest town may have its roots in the logging industry, but this trend-setting town has popularized everything from Grunge music to the spread of our coffee-obsessed culture.

Seattle Hotels

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The world is better on the water. Let your travels continue beyond the shoreline with the fantastic boat tours on offer.

Family-Friendly

Vacationing is a great way to bring the family closer together. Make the most of your time with activities that everyone will enjoy.

Make special memories with special people while enjoying the romantic side to travel.

Concerts & Shows

Make your trip extra special with a concert or show. When it comes to entertainment, they should always have a place on the itinerary.

Day trips keep it simple and exciting while traveling. See all the best parts of a place by joining in on some great bite-sized excursions.

Sights & Landmarks

Tick off some bucket-list-worthy sights and landmarks near you and fill your photo album with great snaps.

Food & Drink

Sightseeing alone won't satisfy your cultural palate. Great food and drink will make a good trip even better.

Night Activities

With sundown comes a whole new side to an area. Find the best places and activities to check out at night.

Outdoor Activities

Make the great outdoors even greater with these activities. Get in touch with nature and add some adrenaline wherever you are.

Spas & Wellness

A vacation within a vacation - indulge in some respite wherever you are.

It's always nice to wander around and get lost in a place - until you're actually lost. Tours take the mystery out of travel and bring you right to the action.

Fun & Games

There's always room for fun and games on any vacation. To get the endorphins going, find the good times near you.

Get your fill of culture, arts or history with a fantastic museum primed to impress.

Animals, Nature & Parks

For the world at its most spectacular, Mother Nature does it best. Head outdoors to find a whole new appreciation for nature and animals on your travels.

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Return home with more than just memories - add some knowledgeable tips and tricks gained from classes and workshops.

Bring home more than photos with a successful shopping venture.

Ride the Ducks of Seattle

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Ride the Ducks of Seattle - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Scenic Cruises and Boat Tours in Seattle

Many Seattle visitors choose to take in the local sights on a scenic cruise or boat tour . Seattle is a watery place, situated on the shores of Puget Sound , with Lake Union smack in the middle and long Lake Washington on the east side. The Lake Washington Ship Canal connects the Sound to the lakes, allowing boat travel from one to another. Boating and water recreation of all kinds are popular local past times.

Taking in Seattle sights and scenery from the water is a fun and relaxing option. Here are my recommendations for scenic cruises and boat tours in Seattle.

Argosy Cruises

Argosy Cruises offers regularly scheduled scenic cruises that leave from Pier 55 (for Puget Sound tours), Lake Union, and Kirkland (for Lake Washington) dock locations. These narrated sightseeing cruises last from 1 to 5 hours. The longest Seattle boat tours travel the Puget Sound to Blake Island, either to Tillicum Village for a salmon dinner and Native-themed entertainment, or for one of three nature experiences. Argosy Cruises also offers a variety of seasonal and special event cruises, including the Christmas Ship Festival, dinner and brunch cruises, and mystery dinners.

Waterways Cruises

Waterways' Seattle scenic cruise itineraries combine amazing views with great food. The sleek modern yachts in the Waterways fleet offer regularly scheduled dinner cruises on Lake Washington and Lake Union. Lunch, brunch, and wine pairing evengts are among your other cruise options. A few special cruises leave from Shilshole Marina to take in the scenic Puget Sound and to travel to island destinations.

Chartered Cruises and Boat Tours in Seattle

For those looking for a more personalized or private experience, these boat charters offer personalized cruise tours.

• Enchantress Cruises: Put together your own perfect boat tour on Puget Sound, Lake Union, and/or Lake Washington on this luxurious bridge deck cruiser.
• Cedarwave : This boat charter company offers picnic cruises and themed boat tours that depart from a number of Seattle waterfront locations.

Self-drive Scenic Cruises and Boat Tours in Seattle

Not your typical boat rental, these special vessels allow you to provide your own captain for a scenic and unique boat tour of Seattle.

The Electric Boat Company : Quiet, covered, comfortable, and easy to drive, these electric boats provide a leisurely 2- to 4-hour cruise around Lake Union. Be sure to bring your own picnic!

Hot Tub Boats : Relax with friends in a hot tub that can tour around Lake Union. Two to six people can participate in your scenic cruise-soak.

Ride the Ducks of Seattle

Traveling on both land and water in amphibious vehicles, the Duck tours are fun and festive. The Ride the Duck captains will narrate and amuse you as they drive past top Seattle sights like the Space Needle, the Downtown Waterfront, Pike Place Market, and Pioneer Square. You'll also spend time on Lake Union, taking in Seattle's spectacular city skyline, Gasworks Park, and the famous house boats.

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4 dead, 2 critically injured in collision between Ride the Ducks vehicle, charter bus on Aurora Bridge

Four North Seattle College students were killed and numerous others have been injured in a collision between a Ride the Ducks tour vehicle and a charter bus on the Aurora Bridge.

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Related coverage :.

• Duck rider heard ‘Oh, no!’ before Aurora Bridge crash that killed 4
• Span’s narrow lanes a longtime safety concern
• At least 3 fatal Duck-tour accidents nationally since 1999
• Sadness in international-student community after tour-bus tragedy

Update at 11:30 p.m.:  All lanes of the Aurora Bridge reopened late Thursday night after crews cleared the roadway of wreckage.

Update at 10:55 p.m.:  One patient was discharged from Harborview Medical Center Thursday evening, hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg said in a statement. Now, 15 patients are being treated there. Two are in critical condition in intensive care. Ten victims are in serious condition in intensive care, while three victims are in satisfactory condition.

Fatal crash on Aurora Bridge

Update at 8:40 p.m.:  Crews began removing the wreckage from the Aurora Bridge Thursday evening. Police officers and other officials watched as the Duck vehicle was loaded onto a flatbed tow truck.

Update at 7:30 p.m.: A 17-member, interdisciplinary team from the National Transportation Safety Board, along with an NTSB board member, are due to arrive in Seattle Friday to begin their inquiry into the crash.

Mayor Ed Murray said the city has been in touch with the governor’s office and the U.S. State Department to assist families of the victims, expected to travel here from several countries.

Murray said he said he expects city officials, including himself, will make themselves available to meet with families of those who have been killed or injured.

The Seattle Hotel Association has offered to provide rooms for victims’ family members as they arrive in Seattle.

Murray said “This is a very very very very difficult moment for so many families in our community.”

Chief O’Toole said she understands there is a “strong need for answers . . . But it is too early at this point to draw any conclusions as to the cause of this accident.”

After the police complete their investigation, Seattle Transportation crews will inspect the bridge surface and its underside to see if it can be safely reopened, said SDOT Director Scott Kubly.

Update at 5:37 p.m.: Sixteen patients are currently being treated at Harborview Medical Center, according to spokeswoman Susan Gregg. Two are critical condition in intensive care and nine are serious in intensive care.

Four are satisfactory condition and are not in intensive care.

One patient was transferred from another hospital to Harborview and is satisfactory condition.

Two patients have been discharged from Harborview.

Update at 5:32 p.m.: Donors anxious to give blood to help victims of the Aurora Bridge crash overwhelmed Bloodworks Northwest sites in person and online Thursday, prompting officials to plea for patience.

“Scheduling a blood donation anytime during the next four to five days will help us respond to this tragedy, and replenish the local supply to meet normal patient needs,” said Dave Larsen, a spokesman for the agency.

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Dozens of people lined up outside a downtown Seattle donation site and a surge of users crashed the agency’s website after Bloodworks officials issued an urgent demand for blood earlier in the day.

Hospitals across Seattle spiked demand for blood after the crash that killed four people, left eight critically injured and dozens more hurt.

The need remains, particularly for O-positive and O-negative blood types, Larsen said. But people hoping to donate should schedule sessions online instead of showing up.

Area hospitals generally have a sufficient supply to meet the demands of such emergencies, but with so many injuries in a concentrated time and location, donors are needed to build reserves back up quickly.

For more information, visit www.bloodworksnw.org .

Update at 4:19 p.m.: A former driver for Ride the Ducks describes the drive on the Aurora Bridge:

“The Aurora Bridge in either direction is the scariest part of the trip because the lanes are so narrow and there is so much traffic,” the driver, who asked not to be named, wrote in an email. “I remember being told in training that the Duck would fit in a lane but that if you felt safer to go ahead and straddle over the line some (if the next lane was open, of course.) Most drivers stayed in the far right lanes, never passed on the bridge.

“The driver is operating a 26,000-pound vehicle that is very wide with a max of 36 lives in your hands. As you approach the Aurora Bridge from the south, you are lining up how you are going to go over the bridge (hug the concrete on the right side or cheat over to the left, straight down the lane or straddle), you are telling tourists to get out their cameras for the Kodak moment while on the bridge and you are trying to queue the music to play ‘Come Fly With Me’ by Michael Buble.

Update at 3:34 p.m.: Four people were killed and eight others were critically injured when a Ride the Ducks tour vehicle careened into a charter bus carrying international students on the Aurora Bridge late Thursday morning.

All four of the dead were students at North Seattle College. Another 20 people suffered minor injuries.

A witness described the amphibious Duck vehicle, which was headed north, swerving and hitting an SUV before colliding with and ripping out the side of the southbound bus.

“We’ve had a terrible tragedy,” Mayor Ed Murray said during a news briefing about two hours after the crash. “The thoughts and prayers of this city go out to everyone ­— the families and those impacted.”

Murray said the city will face significant transportation problems for the rest of the day, as Aurora Avenue will be closed between 39th and Denny into the evening.

The Ballard and Fremont bridges will remain closed to boat traffic, to help alleviate some of the stress. The mayor asked people to make their transportation plans around the crisis.

Seattle firefighters evaluated more than 50 people for injuries, with bleeding victims laid out on yellow tarps in a triage area.

The bus was chartered by North Seattle College to transport 45 students and employees of the school’s international program, said spokeswoman Melissa Mixon. College President Warren Brown said the passengers were part of a new-student-orientation group that was heading to Safeco Field and potentially to Pike Place Market after that.

The college has about 900 international students, many from Asia, out of a total enrollment per quarter of about 4,000, Mixon said. The bus involved in the collision is owned by Bellair Charters and Airporter .

Mixon said uninjured students were being brought back to the campus, where crisis counselors were on hand. Some of the students were also taken to  nearby Woodland Park Zoo.

Ride the Ducks’ Seattle headquarters was closed after the accident, and president Brian Tracey said he is “trying to get more information, just like you.”

“It was devastating,” he said. “All I care about is the safety of the passengers and the people who were injured on the duck.”

The distinctive, six-wheeled amphibious vehicles are a common sight around Seattle, particularly in summer. They transport tourists on what’s described as a “party on wheels,” with singalongs and a route that includes Pioneer Square, the Seattle waterfront and a plunge into Lake Union.

A woman who witnessed the crash said two SUVs were also involved. “It’s really bad,” she said.

Jesse Christenson, 32, of Portland, also watched the crash unfold. “The Duck boat was 100 yards in front of me, the first car in front of me,” she said. “What I saw was the Duck boat had its blinker on, trying to get into the left lane. Then all of a sudden the Duck boat turned sharper to the left.”

Christenson said she initially thought the amphibious vehicle had a blowout, but that when she walked up to the vehicle after the crash, it looked like it had some sort of “vehicle malfunction.”

“It looked like the wheel on the Duck bus broke off,” she said. “There was a wheel assembly in the road.”

Brad Volm, 23, of Philadelphia, was driving one of the SUVs involved in the crash, and described red fluid leaking from the Duck’s front left tire.

Another driver swerved to avoid the Duck and bus and Volm crashed head-on into that other vehicle, he said.

“It all happened so fast,” said Volm, who was on a cross-country trip with his friend Bradley Sawhill. “I got out of my car and there were bodies just everywhere. People laying in the street.”

Christenson called 911.

“The scene was pretty gruesome,” he said.

Bellair issued a statement Thursday afternoon that read, in part, “We are devastated and heartbroken by the fatalities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones of the deceased.”

The bus and its driver were based out of Federal Way. The driver was physically OK but struggling to grapple with the aftermath of the crash, said Richard Johnson, general manager of Bellair Charters.

“It is so sad, for the families involved,” Johnson told the Bellingham Herald. “We need prayer.”

After staffers from the renowned Canlis ran out onto the bridge to help immediately after the accident, the restaurant canceled dinner service and opened its doors to first-responders.

“We’re just a good spot for a cup of coffee and a restroom and lunch,” said co-owner Mark Canlis. “It’s pretty much the natural thing to do. Chef just made some sandwiches for those who are kind of just wandering in. We’re taking care of them the best we can.”

Chef Brady Williams added, “We’re hosting the police and firefighters, and doing whatever we can do.”

It’s Canlis’ first unplanned closure since opening in 1950. The restaurant, located just off the south end of the Aurora Bridge, is considered among the best in Seattle.

Update at 3:28 p.m.: State safety officials in Washington who oversee motor carriers opened an investigation Thursday into the crash.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), which regulates Bellair Charters and Ride the Ducks of Seattle,  will inspect vehicle and driver records related to the crash to determine if the companies complied with state and federal safety regulations.

Bellair Charters, based in Ferndale, Whatcom County,  was last inspected by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in 2013 and received a satisfactory rating, according to the UTC.

The company’s overall safety record in the past two years appears to be good, according to federal records.

The UTC conducted a comprehensive safety inspection of Ride the Ducks’ fleet, including driver qualifications, employee drug and alcohol testing and vehicle-maintenance records in December 2012, issuing a satisfactory rating to the company, the agency said.

UTC inspectors will issue a preliminary report once the investigation is completed.

Update at 2:24 p.m.: All four people killed in Thursday’s crash were students at North Seattle College.

Ron Chow, a representative of the Chinese consulate, said after speaking with hospital and North Seattle College officials, confirmed that all four bus passengers who died were students.

In all, 48 students from six countries were involved, Chow said. He wasn’t sure how many of them are Chinese.

College President Warren Brown said the bus riders were part of a new-student-orientation group that was heading to Safeco Field and potentially to Pike Place Market afterward.

Update at 2:21 p.m.: Bloodworks Northwest is issuing an urgent demand for blood donors to replenish local supplies depleted Thursday by a massive fatal accident on the Aurora Bridge. “We got a call for 15 STAT O-negative units at Harborview,” said Dave Larsen, a spokesman for the regional blood center.

In addition to Harborview Medical Center, a level-1 trauma center, other area hospitals were also issuing requests for blood to help victims of the accident that killed at least four and critically injured at least 12 , he added.

“They’re coming in fast and furious,” he said. “It’s just a huge demand from one event.”

There’s additional demand for blood components for victims in the crash that involved up to 50 people, including many less seriously hurt, said Dr. James AuBuchon, Bloodworks president and chief executive.

Area hospitals generally have a sufficient supply to meet the demands of such emergencies, but with so many injuries in a concentrated time and location, donors are needed to build reserves back up quickly, Larsen said.

O-negative and O-positive blood types are especially needed, officials said. Donors may make appointments as soon as possible at one of the center’s 12 sites or at a mobile drive.

Update at 2:13 p.m.: Harborview Medical Center update from spokeswoman Susan Gregg: 17 at Harborview, eight critical, eight serious, one satisfactory — of those, three are in surgery. Youngest patient is 17.  Thirty others at other hospitals with less serious injuries. A total of 47 patients.

Not expecting additional patients at Harborview.

Update at 1:54 p.m.: Warren Brown, the president of North Seattle College, said there were two buses of students and staff on the college trip, with 45 students and staff in each.  He spoke briefly at Woodland Park Zoo, where some of those people were taken after the crash.  About 25 of them were uninjured or didn’t have serious injuries and were taken back to campus. Brown  said he didn’t yet have a clear number of how many students and staff were injured.

Trinidad Alcaraz, security and EMT manager at the zoo, said the 25 people at the zoo were all young, and all were examined by the zoo’s security staff and emergency-medical technicians.  He said he believed all of them had been on the first bus.

“Some had some minor injuries, obviously shock,” he said.  “We made further recommendation that they be seen at the college and be re-evaluated.

About 30 people from the college came to pick them up and drive them back to campus, Alcaraz said.

Update at 1:45 p.m.: Brad Volm, 23, of Philadelphia, was driving north in an SUV behind a Ride the Ducks vehicle when the amphibious vehicle “swerved” and crashed into the Bellair charter bus. He said it appeared there was something wrong with the Duck’s front left tire, which had red fluid leaking from it.

Another driver swerved to avoid the Duck and the  bus and Volm crashed head-on into that other vehicle, he said.

“It all happened so fast,” said Volm, who was on a cross-country trip with his friend Bradley Sawhill. “I got out of my car and there were bodies just everywhere. People laying in the street.”

Update at 1:34 p.m.: Brian Tracey, president of Ride the Ducks, said he is “trying to get more information, just like you.”

“It was devastating,” he said. “All I care about is the safety of the passengers and the people who were injured on the Duck.”

He said the company has a good safety record. “We train and train and train and have ongoing continuing-education classes with our captains and our drivers to make sure they’re being safe all the time,” he said.

Meanwhile, 14 total patients are being treated at at Harborview Medical Center. Twelve are critical, one is serious and one is satisfactory. Injuries range from face to head.

The other 30 patients are less seriously injured and were triaged to local hospitals, including UW Medical Center and Northwest Hospital & Medical Center. Family members who might think a loved one is at Harborview, can call 206-520-5200.

Update at 1:14 p.m.: Victims and hospitals:

14 people at Harborview, 12 critical.

10 patients triaged with less serious injuries taken to other Seattle hospitals.

UW Medical Center in Seattle has five patients, all in satisfactory condition.

Northwest Hospital Seattle: Males ages 60, 24, 22, 20, 19, 17. Female age 36. All satisfactory; one more expected

Group Health says they have two patients.

Update at 1:07 p.m.: “We’ve had a terrible tragedy,” Mayor Ed Murray said during a news briefing a short time ago. “The thoughts and prayers of this city go out to everyone ­– the families and those impacted.”

Murray said the city will face significant transportation problems for the rest of the day, as Aurora Avenue will be closed between 39 th and Denny into the evening.

“The bridge will be closed for many, many hours,” Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole added.

Seattle Department of Transportation Director Scott Kubly said once firefighters are done treating patients and police finish their investigation, his crews will finish cleaning up the bridge and inspect it for damage before it can re-open.

Update at 1:04 p.m.: Forty-five students and employees from North Seattle College’s international program were traveling on the charter bus involved in the accident, said Melissa Mixon, spokeswoman for the college. Their conditions are not known at this time, she said.

Uninjured students are being brought back to campus, where the college has food and crisis counselors on hand, Mixon said.

She said she wasn’t sure where the students were traveling. International students often arrive early and go through orientation before classes start, taking trips to places like the Pike Place Market and other sites around Seattle. The term begins Monday.

North Seattle College has about 900 international students out of an enrollment of about 4,000. Mixon said most of those students are from Asian countries, although she did not have an exact breakdown of nationalities.

Update at 12:55 p.m.: Update on injuries: 12 in critical condition; 20 with minor injuries.

Update at 12:51 p.m..: Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins confirms four people are now dead in the crash. “This is a terrible tragedy,” said Mayor Ed Murray.

Update at 12:41 p.m.: North Seattle College confirms 45 students were on charter bus. The school has more than 900 international students, with classes scheduled to start Monday.

Original post: Two people have been killed and nine others are in critical condition after a Ride the Ducks tour vehicle collided with a charter bus on the Aurora Bridge, Seattle police say.

The Seattle Fire Department says about 50 people were evaluated for injuries. Twelve people suffered minor injuries.

All planes on the bridge are blocked for the investigation, which is expected to take several hours.

Harbor Medical Center spokeswoman Susan Gregg said six critically injured people have been taken to that hospital, and they expect five more.

Ten others with less-serious injuries are being taken to other hospitals, she said.

Sue Stangl, spokeswoman for the Seattle Fire Department, said Harborview would receive the “tragic, trauma-type injuries” because it is the region’s trauma center. The two fatalities were aboard the bus, she said.

A triage area was set up on the bridge where medics evaluated and treated the injured.

A witness reported that the amphibious vehicle collided with the bus, ripping out the side of the bus. Two SUVs swerved to avoid the crash and were also involved, she said.

“It’s really bad,” said the woman.

Jesse Christenson, 32, of Portland, also witnessed the crash.

“The Duck boat was 100 yards in front of me, the first car in front of me. What I saw was the Duck boat had its blinker on, trying to get in the left lane. Then all of a sudden the Duck boat turned sharper into the left. I initially thought it was a blow out. The Duck boat then hit another car with a roof rack then went head on into the into oncoming tour bus,” he said.

“The scene was pretty gruesome …. There were people in shock. There were enough people helping, I just kept calling 911 but they weren’t answering,” he said.

Christenson said he first thought the Duck vehicle had a tire blowout, but after walking toward the vehicle he said it looks like there was some sort of “vehicle malfunction.”

“It looked like the wheel on the Duck bus broke off; there was a wheel assembly in front of the Duck boat.”

The bus involved in the collision is owned by Bellair Charters and Airporter . The accident was reported around 11:15 a.m.

Officials with Ride the Ducks could not be immediately reached. The company’s Seattle headquarters is closed for the time being, according to an employee.

The Duck name is derived from the designation DUKW, derived from six-wheeled vehicles used as landing craft by the U.S. military during World War II. They were designed to deliver cargo from ships at sea directly to shore, according to the company’s website .

The amphibious vehicles have been involved in several accidents, most recently in July .

The company was involved in two other collisions in recent years, in December 2010 and June 2011, when different Duck drivers rear-ended passenger vehicles at Third Avenue and Pike Street and at Aurora Avenue North and Denny Way. No one was injured, but both Duck drivers told officers they didn’t see the cars because of the height of their own vehicles, according to the collision reports.

Brian Tracey, president of Ride the Ducks, which offers tours through Seattle, said the vehicles have “cameras and mirrors all over the Ducks, and the drivers are required to take a safety class once a month.”

Seattle Times staff reporters Sandi Doughton, Christine Clarridge, Paige Cornwell, Jennifer Sullivan, Bob Young, Jack Broom, Jessica Lee, Evan Bush, Katherine Long, Steve Miletich, JoNel Aleccia and Bethany Jean Clement contributed to this post.

• ride the ducks

What is a duck boat? A look at the popular tour boats used around the country

Duck boats are a staple of the tourism industry in waterfront cities across America. From Seattle to Washington, D.C., tourists board specialized vehicles designed to drive down the street just as easily as they can navigate a harbor.

Though the exact vehicles may vary from city to city, duck boats are often refurbished DUKW vehicles used by the United States military and its allies throughout the mid-20th century. Built by General Motors , the DUKW vehicles were first deployed during World War II to transport military supplies from ships to the coast without requiring the ships to dock.

With the push of a lever, the vehicles switched from being wheel-operated to being powered by a rear-mounted propeller, and the driver steered both the wheels and the rudder using the same system. The DUKW vehicles also came equipped with a system that allowed the driver to adjust the inflation level of the tires for better flotation or tire traction.

The vehicles reportedly allowed Allied forces to move more than 3 million tons of troops and equipment around the European theater during World War II.

General Motors built more than 21,000 DUKW vehicles during World War II. Though some of them remained in military service until the 1960s, many eventually ended up with local law enforcement agencies or private tour companies.

Original Wisconsin Ducks in Wisconsin Dells, Wisc., claims to have launched the first duck tour in 1946 . Duck tours utilizing refurbished DUKW vehicles have since popped up in cities around the world.

In many cities, duck tours are independently owned and operated, often under branding like "Ride the Ducks" or "Duck Tours." Many tour companies hand out signature yellow duck lip whistles to customers wishing to quack along during the tour.

Some safety advocates have called the boats unsafe after several high-profile fatal accidents involving the vehicles over the course of the last two decades. In two accidents on the water, the boats either sank or capsized, killing more than a dozen passengers in each incident. The vehicles have also been involved in multiple fatal accidents on roadways.

"Duck boats are death traps," Andrew Duffy, an attorney whose Philadelphia law firm handled litigation related to fatal accidents involving duck boats, told the Associated Press. "They're not fit for water or land because they are half car and half boat."

Advocates claimed that different agencies have imposed varying safety requirements on the boats, the AP reported.

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CAPTAIN’S CLUB

Annual Membership Program

Do you love to Ride the Ducks? Do you bring your family and friends every time they are in town? Thank you for your loyalty! Become a member of the Captain’s Club!

You can now purchase an annual membership to join the coolest club around:

• Unlimited Duck Tours for an entire year (cannot be transferred)
• Limited Edition Quacker
• 10% discount on friends and family tickets
• 15% discount on apparel in gift shop (excluding sale items)

Only $99 plus tax!  Buy Now!

For more official rules, please click here.

FOR OUR FANS

We love our Fans! Are you excited about your upcoming trip to Seattle? Looking for the 4-1-1 on what’s going on in Seattle? Love the Ducks? We’d like to connect with you and share promotions and deals to make your visit even more enjoyable.

Pssst… looking for deals? We share them with our fans first! Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest and greatest #onaduck from Ride the Ducks of Seattle! Check out what others are saying about their experience #onaduck!

We’re thrilled to be partnering with these awesome Seattle hotels! When you book a hotel package with one of our partners, you’ll get Duck Tour tickets included!

RECENT PROMOTIONS

• Random Ducks of Kindness: Summer Edition!
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The Best Boat Tours in Seattle

Seattle Travel Guide › Boat Tours Updated: October 15, 2022 By Santorini Dave

• Best Hotels in Seattle
• Where to Stay in Seattle
• Best Seattle Tours & Things to Do

The excellent Locks Cruise by Argosy Cruises is a great way to see Seattle, the Puget Sound, and Lake Union.

Recommended Seattle Tour The Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour is our favorite tour in downtown Seattle. Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour – Awesome tour of the specialty shops and top restaurants in Pike Place Market and a few surrounding streets. The 7 Best Boat Tours in Seattle 1. Argosy Cruises Seattle’s a harbor town, and one of the best ways to learn about the city (and see the skyline!) is via boat. The biggest and best boat cruise outfit in town is Argosy, and they’ve got many options to choose from: tour Seattle’s working harbor , or visit the floating homes on Lake Union – choose the 2 1/2 hour Locks Cruise for a bit of everything. Around the holidays, decked-out Argosy ships lead the annual Christmas Ships Festival . In the summer, take an excursion to Tillicum Village on Blake Island to learn about the area’s native heritage. Cruises last 1-2 hours, are narrated by professional guides, and offer snacks and beverage service, including a full bar. Book in advance, especially in the summer months. Tours depart from the downtown waterfront, Lake Union Park, or Kirkland Waterfront. Reviews 2. Ballard Kayak and Paddleboard April through October, Ballard Kayak and Paddleboard offers tandem sea kayak tours that depart from scenic Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. Paddle around the Sound observing wildlife like seals and otters, head out to Discovery Point in West Seattle, or venture through the Ballard Locks into Seattle’s Lake Union. Combine your trip with a stop at a boat-up restaurant for a clam chowder lunch. Kayak tours are good for all experience levels. Two paddleboard tours are offered: one specifically for beginners, and one that goes to Ballard. All equipment is provided. Tours depart from Shilshole Bay Marina in Ballard. Reviews 3. All Rivers and Saltwater Charters Experience a real Pacific Northwest saltwater fishing experience with knowledgeable guides and all equipment provided. All Rivers’ Seattle Salmon Fishing and Crabbing charters run from early July through September, departing from Shilshole Bay Marina in Ballard. Fish for King, Coho, and Pink Salmon, and enjoy crabbing when in-season (through Labor Day). Fishing licenses are available on-board, and water, soda, and snacks are provided. Outside of Seattle, All Rivers runs fishing charters on the Washington coast, as well as the Skykomish, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, and Cowlitz Rivers. Tours depart from Shilshole Bay Marina in Ballard. Reviews 4. Island Adventures Whale Watching This is the best whale watching tour in the northwest, offering service from the downtown Seattle waterfront October through March, when orca whale pods journey south into Puget Sound. (There is also the Friday Harbor Day Trip & Whale Watching from Seattle .) Experienced naturalists are in constant communication with other vessels, and take you right to where the whales are. The boat’s cabins are heated and comfortable, with binoculars and wildlife viewing guides available for on-board use, and hot and cold drinks and snacks available for purchase. At all other times of the year, Island Adventures charters depart from Everett , Anacortes , La Conner , and Port Angeles ; where guests can expect to see humpback, minke, and grey whales, as well as other marine wildlife. Tours depart from Pier 66 on the Seattle waterfront. Reviews 5. Sunday Ice Cream Cruise Seattle Ferry Service (a small outfit, not to be confused with the WA State Ferry System) runs this weekend boat tour year-round, departing Sundays from the dock at the Museum of History and Industry in South Lake Union. It’s a 45-minute narrated cruise around Lake Union, hitting highlights such as the Sleepless in Seattle floating home, Dale Chihuly’s lakeside glass-blowing studio, Gasworks Park, and a fantastic view of the Space Needle from the water. This tour is very family and pet-friendly, and there are a variety of snacks and drinks available for purchase on-board. Overall, a fun and inexpensive way to get out on the water. Tours depart from South Lake Union Park, near the Museum of History and Industry. Reviews 6. Alki Kayak Tours Scenic sea kayaking with the Seattle skyline as a backdrop. Paddle around Elliott Bay , or out to Alki lighthouse – Alki Kayak Tours’ experienced and friendly guides will fill you in on area history and local wildlife. Tours run March through September (daily in the summer months) and depart from Seacrest Park in West Seattle, which is easily accessible from downtown via the Water Taxi. For the most spectacular city skyline views, choose a Summer Sunset or Full Moon nighttime tour. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Tours depart from Seacrest Park in West Seattle. Reviews 7. Victoria Clipper This is the quickest, easiest, and most scenic way to get from Seattle to beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. The Victoria Clipper departs daily from Pier 69 on the downtown waterfront, with 2-3 sailings per day during the busy summer months. You can head up and back in one day, or spend the night in Victoria – the company offers packages that include hotel and admission to popular attractions like Butchart Gardens. The boats are clean and comfortable, though those folks who are prone to seasickness will want to take precautions – the ride can get a bit choppy once you’re out in open waters. Buy tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in line, and don’t forget to bring a passport. Kenmore Air also offers whale watching excursions and summer service to Friday Harbor in Washington’s San Juan Islands. Tours depart from Pier 69 on Seattle’s downtown waterfront. Reviews

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