The 13 Best Seaplane Flights in Vancouver

1.Vancouver: Scenic Panorama Seaplane Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,395 reviews · 30 min · from $130Our pick

Fly from Harbour Air’s Coal Harbour terminal beside Canada Place for a 30-minute scenic seaplane trip, including about 20 minutes in the air. Expect views of Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, BC Place, Science World, Lighthouse Park, and the Coast Mountains. Bring ID, arrive 40 minutes early, and ask about a cockpit seat.

“Great experience with the seaplane tour overall. I got lucky and was assigned to sit in the cockpit next to the pilot so I had great views and even got to listen in on the air traffic control comms. It was a cloudy day which was the only bummer since the day before was perfect weather but the views were still great over the water and city even if the tops of the mountains were covered. No commentary from the pilot since he’s busy flying but he was a nice guy. Would recommend if you want to see Vancouver from above and want to try flying in a seaplane.”

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2.Vancouver Panorama Scenic Seaplane Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,109 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $134

Take off from Canada Place with Harbour Air for a small-group seaplane flight over Vancouver, Stanley Park, English Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Bowen Island, and the North Shore Mountains. You get about 20 minutes in the air, with the full experience lasting roughly 30 minutes. Flights carry up to 14 people.

“It was a great new experience, they are organized on time. not extremely exciting i will not do one more trip. I appreciate it, probably smaller plane will have a real feel of the trip”

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3.Vancouver: Scenic Panorama Seaplane Tour & Suspension Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 569 reviews · 4 hours · from $191

Fly for about 20 to 30 minutes from Coal Harbour over Vancouver, Stanley Park, English Bay, BC Place, and the North Shore. Then use the downtown shuttle to explore Capilano Suspension Bridge Park at your own pace, including the bridge, Treetop Walkway, and Cliffwalk.

“This was a great experience and I highly recommend it! The price was right for 2 excursions. My seaplane tour had to be rebooked (due to low visibility during my scheduled time) and the person at the desk was very helpful and got me on a later tour time. Very easy to book and find. Free water and coffee while you wait! Shuttle to Capilano Park was very convenient as well.”

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4.Vancouver: Extended Scenic Panorama Seaplane Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 484 reviews · 45 min · from $198

Take Harbour Air’s 45-minute Extended Scenic Panorama flight from Coal Harbour, including about 35 minutes in the air. You’ll pass Vancouver’s skyline, Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, Howe Sound islands, mountain peaks, BC Place, and Science World. The flight is scenic rather than fully narrated, so bring ID, arrive 40 minutes early, and keep your camera ready.

“It was quite rainy and cloudy that day, but still an awesome way to see views of the city and experience something new. There were only 4 passengers and the pilot, so everything was on a more intimate level. I would recommend going when the weather is a bit better, however unpredictable in Vancouver! :)”

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5.Vancouver to Victoria Seaplane Adventure & Return via Bus & Ferry

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 354 reviews · 9 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $309

Choose your Vancouver departure time, check in at Canada Place, and fly 35 minutes by Harbour Air seaplane to Victoria. Explore the Inner Harbour, Chinatown, Oak Bay, or Butchart Gardens on your own, then return by coach and BC Ferries. The return takes about 4.5 hours and ends near the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

“A long day out but well worth it. The sea plane flight was noisy but the views over Vancouver Island were amazing. Victoria itself was beautiful with some beautiful and historic architecture. The coach and ferry return to Vancouver was long but we got another perspective on Vancouver Island. A really great day.”

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6.Panorama Scenic Seaplane Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 271 reviews · from $137

Take off from Victoria’s Inner Harbour with Harbour Air for a 30-minute Panorama Seaplane Tour, including about 20 minutes in the air. Look for the Empress Hotel, Mount Douglas, Elk Lake, Saanich Peninsula, James and Sidney Islands, and Finlayson Arm. Pilot Max has earned praise for smooth, professional flying.

“We really enjoyed the tour a bunch. It's been a bucket list of mine, for years, to fly on a sea plane. I'd definitely come back and do it again.”

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7.Vancouver to Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Butchart Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 200 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $525

Fly 35 minutes from Vancouver Harbour to Victoria, then ride by narrated bus to Butchart Gardens, with admission included. You get at least two hours in the gardens, plus free time in downtown Victoria before your return flight. Drivers such as Rob and Pam have provided especially helpful local commentary on some departures.

“This is not a “proper Viatour Tour”. It is a Harbour Air floatplane, a Grayline bus and a ticket to the gardens packaged together. There is no tour guide or Viatour representative. The instructions were dismally lacking. There is no one along the way to inform you of where things are. The Viatour itinerary was dead wrong. It said our outbound flight from Vancouver to Victoria was at 11:15 AM which meant a required 10:35 AM check-in. Fortunately I called Harbour Air directly the day before and found out the flight was at 11:00 AM. If we had followed Viatour’s itinerary (emailed to me) we would have missed the flight…”

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8.Mountains and Glaciers Tour by Seaplane

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 162 reviews · 30 min · from $190Top rated

Take off from Harbour Air’s Green Lake terminal for a 30-minute flight over Whistler Village, Garibaldi Lake, glacier-fed lakes, alpine meadows, and the Black Tusk. Pilots such as Greg and Paul have been praised for their safe, friendly service. Check in 40 minutes early and bring valid identification.

“This tour was spectacular! We got to see Garibaldi and Cheakamus lake (as well as many others) as well as Table top and the Black tusk mountain. Definitely worth it and highly recommend.”

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9.Vancouver-Victoria Day Trip by Seaplane + Whale Watching by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 142 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $546

Fly 35 minutes from downtown Vancouver to Victoria, then join a three-hour Orca Spirit whale-watching trip. Your small group may ride a covered vessel or Zodiac, with guides such as Shannon, Josh, Luke, or Liam sharing local wildlife knowledge. Round-trip flights, taxes, and sustainability fees are included.

“Plane ride was by far the best way to get to the island. We had plenty of time to experience downtown before the boat trip. Be prepared for a cold, bumpy ride, but it will be worth it. We were able to see a humpback, sealions and seals.”

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10.Vancouver to Victoria Seaplane Day Trip + Butchart Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 141 reviews · from $504

Take Harbour Air’s morning seaplane from downtown Vancouver to Victoria, then ride a narrated coach to Butchart Gardens. After exploring the 55-acre National Historic Site, return to Victoria for free time before flying back. The $504 trip saves ferry hours and combines aerial views, gardens, and city sightseeing in one May-to-October day.

“A fantastic day trip. The flights were amazing and the gardens spectacular.”

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11.Whistler Glacier Spectacular: Scenic Seaplane Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 102 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $195

Take a 30-minute floatplane flight from Whistler’s Green Lake with Harbour Air. You’ll fly above glaciers, Garibaldi Lake, alpine meadows, volcanic peaks, and Black Tusk. Flights carry up to 14 people, offer daily departure times, and return to the same terminal. Clear weather makes the biggest difference.

“Other than getting incredibly motion sick (and one of us never gets motion sick), this was SUCH a cool experience. Breathtaking views that have you marveling at the beauty around us. Totally recommend! Would post pictures, but you’ll have to see for yourself. :)”

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12.Nanaimo Seaplane tour: Strait of Georgia Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 26 reviews · 2 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $192

Fly Harbour Air from Nanaimo to Sechelt in about 20 minutes, crossing the Strait of Georgia by float plane. Enjoy one to four hours on the Sunshine Coast, then return by seaplane. You can request an immediate return or an afternoon flight, but confirm the exact schedule before booking.

“Excellent quick trip on a seaplane. A must do activity if like me you don't have seaplanes where you live. Little stop off for lunch and a few drinks before going back.”

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13.Vancouver: Victoria and Butchart Gardens by Seaplane

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 5 reviews · from $690

You’ll fly by seaplane from Vancouver to Victoria, arriving at the downtown harbour around 8:30 AM. Spend free time in Victoria, then take a scheduled shuttle with live commentary to Butchart Gardens for about two hours. Hotel or private-address pickup, garden admission, shuttle service, and return flights are included.

“Very nice service and transport from Andy to the platform, great organization and support, unique experience”

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