Hawaii Duck Tours| Fun by Land and Sea

“Quack Quack,” I blew into the neon plastic duck call around my neck as we pulled out onto Ala Moana Blvd. in a flashy amphibious vessel for a ninety minute street/ocean tour of Waikiki and it’s surrounding waters. I wondered to myself how I had gotten roped into participating in what I imagined to be a cheesy tourist trap. “Well, there’s nothing to lose,” I told myself.  “It’s another beautiful day in paradise and the skies are primed for an amazing sunset. I might as well make the most of it.” So, I settled into my seat to take in the scenery and enjoy the breeze as we chugged down the street in our open air boat on wheels.

People prepare to board the amphibian vehicle that will take them on a street tour of Waikiki and then drive into the ocean for a tour of the surrounding waters. (Honolulu Vibes photo by Ronen Zilberman)

I was immediately impressed with the easy smiles and friendly enthusiasm of Captain Ricky as he threw shakas and made duck calls to the mobs of pedestrians along the busy Waikiki main drag of Kalakaua Avenue.  His co-pilot – a stuffed shark head – flashed toothy grins from the shotgun position in the truck cab. Passer-byes returned the waves and smiles as our bright yellow duck boat rolled past.

As we trolled the streets of Waikiki our dedicated tour guide, Celeste Capenter, brought the history of the area alive as she wove together stories of cultural folklore with fun facts and landmarks.  Even as an Oahu resident of 25 years I have to admit that I learned many things I didn’t know as Celeste and Ricky shared interesting stories and details about Waikiki.

Captain Ricky’s first mate smiles for the camera. (Honolulu Vibes photo by Ronen Zilberman)

While on the tour I spoke with Howard and Myrna Snitowsky, a couple visiting from Orange County, California, who had done the tour a year ago and were back for more. When I asked why they came back to do the tour for a second time they replied, “This is the best bang for your buck! We’re back because it’s a fun ride, you get to go all around town, and the sunset on the ocean is really nice.  These guys are genuine and the tour is very good.”

Hawaii Duck Tours passengers are treated to a sunset rainbow over Waikiki on a sunset tour. (Honolulu Vibes photo by Ronen Zilberman)

(I had to agree with them on all accounts, at $25-$45 a head for a 90min. tour the prices are very reasonable, the hosts are a pleasure, and you get to experience the fun of both land and sea in one tour.) It’s no wonder that guests enjoy the ride so much when you hear how much their tour guide Celeste enjoys her job, “I love meeting the people, it’s so much fun.  Everytime we do the tour I see people smiling, I see them enjoying themselves and it reminds me how special the aina (land) is here. I absolutely love it!”

Celeste Carpenter narrates a sunset expedition for Hawaii Duck Tours. (Honolulu Vibes photo by Ronen Zilberman)

After completing the land portion of our ride we braced ourselves for the big moment.  Duck calls filled the air broadcasting the excitement of passengers, as truck transformed to boat and we drove straight into the waters of the Ala Wai boat harbor.  As we made our way through the channel into open seas for the approaching sunset we found ourselves in a bustling ocean-scape. Surfers caught perfect waves against the backdrop of Diamond Head Crater. We heard the calls of oarsmen counting strokes, as crews of outrigger canoes raced past us bodies pumping in unison.  No doubt aware of our cameras fixated on their movements; however,  they paid us no mind, heads bent forward in focused concentration.

An outrigger canoe passes alongside a Hawaii Duck Tours boat almost close enough to touch during a sunset excursion through the Ala Wai boat harbor. (Honolulu Vibes photo by Ronen Zilberman)

We continued on our journey watching the sky turn the warm shades of a tropical Mai Tai drink.  A rain shower blew across the shoreline in the distance creating a sunset rainbow for our viewing pleasure. Sailboats dotted the horizon against the setting sun as we counted down the last seconds of the day.

We slowly redirected our course back towards the now twinkling towers of the city. As we motored back to land something Capt. Ricky had said earlier replayed in my mind, “Maybe we’re a little goofy but when people act childlike it’s wonderful!  What you put into your experience you get back. If you laugh, enjoy, and get into what you’re doing you’re going to have a great vacation!”

Howard Snitowsky enjoy the view of Honolulu from the ocean. The Orange County, California based couple returned to do the Hawaii Duck Tour again after enjoying it on a previous visit to Oahu. (Honolulu Vibes photo by Ronen Zilberman)

A beautiful observation for life in general! I couldn’t help but laugh at my earlier reservations about the tour.  I hadn’t expected to gain such delightful insight from Hawaii Duck Tours – that familiar places can be enjoyed anew when you come with an open mind and playful spirit, that we can get so much more out of our experiences when we lighten up and let ourselves get silly. I genuinely wished I had brought my own family on the tour when they were visiting.  “Next time, I’ll be sure to bring them for a duck tour,”  I thought as I smiled to myself.  I took a deep breath of the fresh salt air as the night descended softly upon us and let out a resounding “QUACK, QUACK!”

Our kids have fun with the complimentary duck calls from our trip with Hawaii Duck Tours. (Honolulu Vibes photo by Ronen Zilberman)

Special Notes:

This is a great tour for the whole family! If you’re prone to sea sickness it’s a gentle ride – no big waves or churning seas and you won’t get wet. This also makes it a great ride for photographers and camera buffs.  Great views of the island that you can’t get on land.  Kids will love the duck calls, complimentary for all passengers.

If you want to book a tour online you must do so 48hrs. in advance. For booking with less advance notice you’ll need to call-in to book your tour.  Check their website to view the different tour options:

 hawaiiducktours.com  

Epic sunset over the Pacific as seen on a Hawaii Duck Tours sunset excursion. (Honolulu Vibes photo by Ronen Zilberman)

by Erica McMillan