Floatplanes
See it from the sky
San Francisco has its trolley cars, Venice has its gondolas. And Vancouver has flying Beavers and Otters!
Beavers and Otters: Canada's Beloved Float Planes
Beavers, iconic 1950s propeller float planes, buzz in and out the Strait of Georgia daily. Renowned for their rugged utility, they whisk adventurers to Victoria's Inner Harbour or to remote lakes for fishing, hunting, and camping. With short wingspans and peppy engines, these six-seaters are perfect for landing in small places. Along with the larger Otters, they are the go-to choice for thrilling flightseeing tours across Canada.
Soar over city, mountain, and ocean
Experience the city like few do, with thrilling flightseeing tours taking off from downtown. Float planes give you a birds-eye view of Vancouver’s lush local mountains and coastal islands and exclusive access to hidden gems. Companies like Harbour Air Seaplanes, Saltspring Air, Whistler Air and the Indigenous owned Gulf Island Seaplanes offer diverse tours, from city views to mountain lake picnics and action-packed excursions to Whistler and Bowen Island.
The scenic route that gets you there quicker
Not only is it a spectacular way of seeing Vancouver’s stunning scenery, taking a floatplane is also a convenient way to get around. Instead of a half-day drive and ferry ride to Victoria, a float plane gets you there in just 35 minutes, with over 35 daily departures in the summer. Or experience island life on Salt Spring or Galiano Island, less than a 30-minute flight away.