The Port of Los Angeles is welcomed an unusual visitor Wednesday — the world's biggest bath toy.

An 18-metre tall rubber duck sailed into port Wednesday to kick off the Tall Ships Festival LA. It will remain in the harbour through Sunday.

Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman debuted the duck in 2007 and versions of it have been seen around the world in places including China, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

A festival spokesman says the duck is just one of the features of the week long event that comes to LA every three years.