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by: Elizabeth Sedway, TahoeKidsGuide.com

There is only one way to see Lake Tahoe, by land and by lake, without leaving the same comfortable seat.  Tahoe Duck Tours is the way!  Aboard this recommissioned 1945 era military land and sea vehicle, you can see and learn about the history and ecology of the Lake Tahoe area.  About halfway through the guided tour, the vehicle you're aboard, called a DUKW, splashes into Lake Tahoe for a beautiful 30 minute tour.  (The land and lake tours together take about 1.5 hours.) DUKW, the acronym from which the "Duck" in Tahoe Duck Tours is derived, stands for:   D = built in 1942, U = amphibious 2-1/2 ton truck, K = front wheel drive, and W = rear wheel drive.  (Click here for more about the history of the DUKW.)

While approximately 1,000 of these amphibius vehicles are put into service, from Boston to California's west coast, Tahoe Duck Tours is the first to introduce the land and lake tours to Lake Tahoe.  Tahoe Duck Tours is owned and operated by Shawn Kearney, a former San Francisco Restauranteur and Randy Woods, a former San Francisco and east coast ferry captain. Theirs is the first boating tour service to be introduced to Lake Tahoe in nearly a decade.  The multi-agency, multi-regulatory process to establish this type of business at the lake is nothing short of heroic. 

And established they are, setting up shop in Heavenly Village, just across from the movie theater.  The tour departs the Heavenly Village location every hour, on the hour, daily during the months of June, July and August and limited tours are available in the Spring and Fall.  Tour times vary so please call for the current schedule.  For ticket prices and reservations call:  (530) 525-7825 or click here. 

Some of our favorite aspects of the tour:

1.  Watching the vehicle we rode to the lake's edge, plunge into the lake and cruise away.

2.  Learning about the history and ecology of the Lake Tahoe area.  The DUKW Captain was very engaging and well-informed.

3.  Relaxing as we enjoyed the ride/cruise as family.