FLOAT PLANE (SEA PLANE) TRANSPORTATION IN VANCOUVER
Vancouver is a unique city in many respects, and one of the things that makes it unique is its regularly scheduled float plane or sea plane service between Vancouver and the surrounding communities. You can fly by float plane (seaplane) between Vancouver and Victoria, Nanaimo, Whistler, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast.
You can also fly between Vancouver International Airport’s South Terminal and Victoria, Nanaimo and Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast.
Float planes provide not only the fastest and the most efficient mode of transportation between Vancouver or Vancouver airport (Richmond) and nearby island destinations but also the most scenic. You’ll see Vancouver and Victoria from the air, the Burrard Inlet, Strait of Georgia, Gulf Islands and North Shore Mountains and lakes. These are spectacular trips, as much about sightseeing as transportation.
Flights leave more than 20 times daily. Planes leave from downtown Coal Harbour, five minutes from the Vancouver Convention Centre. In Victoria, they depart from Victoria’s Inner Harbour, only 5 minutes from the Empress Hotel. Vancouver International Airport is 15 minutes from the South Terminal and a courtesy shuttle service is available to and from the South Terminal. To access the shuttle, proceed to the Courtesy Phone Board in the Arrivals terminal where you can request a shuttle pick up.
VANCOUVER FLOAT PLANE TOURS
Vancouver Panorama Tours - Three Panorama tours are available: 10 minute, 20 minute and 35 minute. These tours give you a chance to see the city and surrounding water and wilderness from the air. There is no better way to appreciate Vancouver’s incredible location, balanced between the water and the wilds, than to experience by float plane. Flights are available daily year round, weather permitting.
Victoria Fly and Ferry- This all day package is really perfect. You take off from Vancouver’s downtown harbour by float plane for a 30 minute flight to downtown Victoria. You’ll land in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, just 5 minutes from the Empress Hotel. Flights leave Vancouver for Victoria every 20-30 minutes in the morning and you can fly when you want. Once you’ve had a chance to explore Victoria and visit the Butchart Gardens (optional), go whale watching (optional) or enjoy high tea at the Empress (optional), you will board a bus in Victoria for the 40 minute drive to the ferry terminal at Swartz Bay and your return to downtown Vancouver. Buffet dinner (optional) is available on the ferry. This package is also available with flights in both directions.
Alpine Lakes & Glaciers – This 1.25 hour tour includes a 30 minute flight to a hidden alpine lake on Mt. Manquam (8450 feet) with a landing on the lake and 15 minutes to explore. Or, if you want to spend an hour at the lake, order the picnic lunch and make this a truly memorable experience.
Horseshoe Bay Fly and Dine – This evening adventure begins at 6 or 7:00 PM, depending on the season. It includes a 20 minute Panorama flight. However, instead of taking off and landing in the downtown Vancouver harbour, you will be dropped off at Horseshoe Bay, a spectacular, isolated marina full of intereting water craft and ferries that travel between Horseshoe Bay and Bowen Island and between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. After your plane lands and taxis to the float plane doc, you will walk to the Boathouse marina side restaurant for a three course dinner. After dinner a limousine will be waiting to take you back to downtown Vancouver, a thirty minute ride.
Zodiac Fly and Dine- This 5 hour afternoon experience (beginning between 12:00 – 3:00 PM, depending on the season) includes pick up at your hotel, transportation to Horseshoe Bay, a 30 minute scenic drive from downtown. When you reach Horseshoe Bay, you will dress in Expedition suits for your two hour guided nature tour by Zodiac, a 12 person inflatable, open boat. At the conclusion of the tour, you’ll shed your expedition suit and stroll to the Boathouse restaurant for an early three course dinner including your choice of appetizer, entree and dessert. After dinner, you’ll get back to downtown Vancouver via a 20 minute Panorama float plane tour. Because float planes fly by sight and not by instruments, you will be back in downtown Vancouver before dark.
For reservations, call 604-990-9299 or 1-800-913-9207, Email or Book Online Now
