Amphibious Tour and Royal Albert Dock Splashdown Liverpool

The splashdown into the Royal Albert Dock

The moment most people remember is the splashdown, when the amphibious vehicle drives down a slipway and enters the dock, turning from a road vehicle into a boat. The Royal Albert Dock was opened in 1846 and is a complex of brick warehouses and cast-iron columns on the Mersey waterfront. It is one of the best-known sights in the city.

Being on the water gives you a view of the dock buildings that you cannot get from the quayside. People searching for the amphibious tour in Liverpool or the Albert Dock boat trip are usually looking for exactly this experience. The splashdown is short, fun and good for photographs, so keep your camera ready but stay seated.

Liverpool by road: landmarks and the city centre

Before the water, the tour drives through the city with live commentary. The exact route can vary with traffic and events, but the drive typically passes buildings and streets connected to the city's maritime and cultural history. Liverpool is the city of the Beatles, of a major port that shaped trade and migration, and of two great cathedrals.

The guide points out the sights and tells stories along the way, with a light, humorous style that keeps children interested. A Liverpool sightseeing tour by amphibious vehicle is a good first orientation if it is your first day in the city, because it helps you decide which places to return to on foot afterwards.

The waterfront and the Mersey

Liverpool's waterfront is one of the most recognisable in Britain, with the Three Graces, three grand early twentieth-century buildings at the Pier Head, including the Royal Liver Building with its famous Liver Birds. The docks that line the river once handled a large share of Britain's trade, and many of the old warehouses are now museums, restaurants and galleries.

The tour gives you the setting and the story behind these buildings without needing to walk long distances. Waterfront views are best in dry weather, but the vehicle runs in most conditions, so dress for the weather. If you are wondering what to see in Liverpool in one hour, this tour is an entertaining place to begin.

Planning your amphibious tour

The tour lasts one hour and starts from a meeting point in central Liverpool, whose exact location appears on your voucher. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure. Departures run through the day, with times from about 10:45 to 15:40, so choose a slot in the booking panel that fits your plans.

Food and drinks are not allowed on the vehicle, and smoking is not permitted. The vehicle is not suitable for wheelchair users. Check the weather and dress in layers, because the ride is partly open. Age categories, including child, senior and student fares, are shown in the panel, so the whole family or group can book together.