DUCKtours RC 004 / Photo Credit: Dimpsy
There is always an exemption to every rule and to everything in this world. Every duck quacks but there's one that doesn't but will give you a splashing unique land and water adventure. One of the must do's in Singapore that I may suggest for first set-footers of the country is the DUCKtours or the originally known as the "Wacky Duck Tours". Join me in my amphibious adventure as I explore the wonders of Singapore in a splashy and quacky way.
DUCKtours on Board / Video Credit: WorldTravel via Youtube
On the Duck, there is a Ducktainer on board who narrates or discuss the importance of the history of every landmark that the Duck passed during the course of cruising. Audio commentary is available in five different languages: English, Bahasa Indonesia, Mandarin, Korean and Japanese
WHAT IS DUCKtours?
DUCKtours on Dock / Photo Credit: Dimpsy
Singapore's tourism award-winning themed attraction and the first amphibious attraction in Asia. An hour of amphibious splashing fun tour using a refurbished World War II Vietnam WarCraft that sails through the perimeter of Marina Bay and drives around the city to check out the famous attractions of Singapore. It's a unique tour adventure of introducing and knowing Singapore's best historic attractions and landmarks in a different perspective than the usual city bus tours or guided tours. Just for a change and for experience, you know. :)
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS?
Here's how you can avail the tickets for DUCKtours and there are three options that you can choose from at your convenience.
THROUGH ONLINE BOOKING
The most convenient way of purchasing the ticket is by visiting the Ducktours web site: www.singaporeducktours.com. You just to follow some instructions and fill in the form provided on the site for the completion of the online booking. Pay through your credit card via PayPal and make the reservations 3 days prior to the intended tour date especially if you're not based in Singapore.
THROUGH PHONE BOOKING
For locals and overseas tourists, you can contact this number +65 6338-6877 or you can keep in touch by sending text messages to these apps WhatsApp / WeChat / Viber for the confirmation of your time slots and make payments before checking-in for your scheduled tour at the Duck & HiPPO Hub.
THROUGH COUNTER HUBS
This applies to the option of purchasing the welcome to Sunny Singapore! If you want to go for this option, you can directly visit any of the hubs and have an on-site purchase of your ticket. There are 10 authorized hubs that are listed in here.
HOW MUCH IS THE TICKET RATES?
Prices for the tickets are categorized according to age:
a. for infants aging 2 years and below that is S$10
b. for a child aging from 3 years old to 12 years old, that is S$33
c. for adults 13 years old and above it's S$43.
NOTE:
Seat's sold to infants are counted and can't be sold to another guest as a requirement to count the heads on board even if the infant is on maternal's lap due to the approved limit for the total number of guests while on board.
DEPARTURE SCHEDULES
Duration of the tour is approximately 60 minutes and will depart at Suntec Mall where the hub is situated and rides will depart hourly from 10 am to 6 pm from Mondays to Sundays.
HOW TO GET TO SUNTEC CITY CONVENTION CENTRE
The Ducktours hub is located at #01-330 in Suntec City Convention Centre.
1. Drop off is at taxi stand C25 just outside H&M boutique if you're using a taxi.
2. Go to Esplanade MRT (CC) Exit A if you are from any of the MRT stations.
3. Bus numbers 36, 70M, 111, 133, 133A, 162M, 97, 106, 700A, 857, 502, 518 will disembark at a public bus stop 02151.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
1. Tours are conducted daily in English and at 4:30 pm tour departure there is Mandarin guide available.
2. Ducktours is not accessible for Persons With Disabilities in a wheelchair.
3. Guests are advised to check-in 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time.
4. Present your e-Receipt/s to the staff in exchange for your tickets.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DUCKtours
This hour-long adventure will kick off with a city tour of the historic Civic District before it splashes to the bay and wags its tail like a duck does. Once aboard at the refurbished amphibious vessel the duck will now depart from Suntec City and drives you around to check on the key attractions of Singapore.
FOUNTAIN OF WEALTH
Fountain of Wealth / Photo Credit: Dimpsy
The first attraction that you can see once the amphibious vessel departs from Suntec City. Located in one of Singapore's largest shopping malls which is the Suntec City Mall. Considered to be the largest fountain in the world as listed by the Guinness Book of Records in 1998. This fountain is also named as Good Luck.
SINGAPORE FLYER
Singapore Flyer / Photo Credit: Dimpsy
Now ranked at number two but was once tagged as the world's tallest Ferris wheel before the rise of High Roller in Las Vegas. Officially opened on April 15, 2008 with 28 air-conditioned capsules that can accomodate to 28 passengers comprises a three-storey terminal building. The flyer is an observation wheel that stands at 165 meters (541 ft.) high, perfect for the breathtaking panoramic view of Singapore. By land or by water, both are possible for viewing.
Singapore Flyer Ride by Lee Claxton via Youtube
Here is a video from Lee Claxton on Singapore Flyer where you can see a walkthrough of the atrium and other activities you can do aside from having a great 30 minutes ride on the observation wheel which is awesome and never had that in my 2 weeks vacay. Hopefully, I can experience the awesomeness of this ride soon.
ART SCIENCE MUSEUM
Art Science Museum / Photo Credit: Dimpsy
The world's first Art Science Museum where the architectural design is said to be in a form similar to a lotus flower. Known as "The Welcoming Hand of Singapore" that has a round base in the middle with 10 extensions that are referred to as "fingers" which denotes different gallery spaces sporting skylights at the fingertips to illuminate the curved interior walls.
MARINA BAY SANDS
Marina Bay Sands / Photo Credit: Dimpsy
A five-star hotel that was billed as the most expensive standalone casino property. It has 2,561 rooms with signature attractions like, Sky Park that has a capacity of 3,900 people and the most famous infinity swimming pool that is set on top of the world's largest public cantilevered platform that shaped like a boat.
MERLION
Merlion / Photo Credit: Dimpsy
A mythical creature with a lion's head and the body of a fish is Singapore's famous icon. "Mer" stands for sea and "lion" represents the country's original name Singapura which means "lion city". The best thing about the DUCKtours is that you can have an up-close selfie with the Merlion.
ESPLANADE
Esplanade / Photo Credit: Dimpsy
Because of its thorny roof, this 60,000 square meters performing arts center is famous for its "durian" look-alike theatre and a concert hall. Located in Marina Bay closer to the mouth of Singapore River. The roof of the Esplanade is made of Aluminium sunshades. Aside from the performing venues, there is a public library located on the third floor of Esplanade the first public library in Singapore devoted to the performing arts.
GARDENS BY THE BAY
Super Grove Tree at Marina Bay / Photo Credit: Dimpsy
As you sail through the bay, you can pass by at the Gardens by the Bay where the Avatar-inspired Super Tree Grove can be seen together with the twin conservatories -- Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.
HELIX BRIDGE
Helix Bridge at Night / Photo Credit: Green Tulip via Pinterest
A bridge that won the 'World's Best Transport Building' award at the World Architecture Festival Awards in 2010 that links Marina Center and Marina South in Marina Bay area. It has four viewing platform sites that provide a stunning view of Singapore skyline and events that usually take place within Marina Bay. Series of lights will light up at night to highlight the double helix structure together with the intentional left handed DNA-like design with letters c and g, a and t that can be seen in the bridge are also lit up in red and green representing the four bases of DNA: c - cytosine, g - guanine, a - adenine and t - thymine. It even garnered an award at The Left Handed DNA Hall of Fame in 2010.
WADDLE BACK TO LAND
After the waterfront view cruise, the journey will continue as the duck waddle back to the land and pass through the Civic District where you can see the steps of the Old Supreme Court, the War Memorial Park before the tour ends at the loop at Suntec City.
So the DUCK has waddle its way back to land and dock. It was one unique amphibious ride experience on a WWII military vessel. You may find it redundant seeing the same attractions, however, changing life's perspectives will definitely change life's experiences.
S A I L O N !
This blog is created and written by Dimpsy for Bitlanders.
the world is full of wonders for me to wander.
single wanderess
Singapore related blogs that you might want to read:
A Must See and Do in Singapore Zoo
A Walk in the Wild at Singapore Zoo - Part II
A Walk in the Wild at Singapore Zoo - Part I
