nivsy

Hi. Planning a visit to Canada next year. First leg of the journey is Vancouver and I would be grateful for any thoughts on what would be good worthwhile and VFM seaplane trip. I have seen a number of options on the net but any experiences to be shared would be great.

Nivsy

Rollingthunder

No seaplanes but lots of floatplanes. Get thee down to Coal Harbour for senics.

Cpt. Underpants

Try West Coast Air and Harbour Air (I think they may have merged into a single airline). Twotters, Otters and Beavers (sounds like a line for a Peeler Joint). They operate out of Richmond - CYVR South Side - to downtown Victoria.

There's also Helijet for a memorable trip over to the island in an S-76 which also lands near downtown Victoria. They leave from near the Pan Pacific Hotel in downtown Vancouver.

Saltspring Air also operates from Fulford Harbour to Coal Harbour (Vancouver side) in C185's and Beavers on floats.

All regularly charge about $100 each way but they do give airline rates - bring your ID. The Helijet service is excellent but their load factors are high (provincial seat of government is in Victoria, walking distance from Helijets terminal).

Enjoy. It's brilliant. Best place on earth.

nivsy

Many thanks for the replies. Looking forward to it and it will be the first trip to Canada to which adds to the excitement!

Nivsy

Pilot DAR

Don't let Rollingthunder phase you nivsy. In Canada we must have "seaplanes" as those endorsed to fly them have "seaplane" ratings. A "floatplane" rating is not offered.

Though I cannot easily find a strict definition, it is common to interpret that a "floatplane" is a landplane with two floats replacing the wheel landing gear. A "seaplane" is a flying boat (often amphibious). They are both flown under the same license rating in Canada, though are somewhat different to fly.

Around BC, you will certainly find floatplanes more common, though seaplanes can be found too. Lake Amphibians, Seabees, and Grumman Goose are operated there, among others.

If you're headed toward Ontario, PM me.

India Four Two

nivsy,

Don't bother with the S76. In my opinion, your best option is a Harbour Air scheduled flight from Vancouver Harbour (Coal Harbour) to Victoria Harbour. An amazing experience. Don't forget your camera.

Ejector

For your information, Coal Habour is downtown in the CBD

India Four Two

Ejector,

Thanks, I should have mentioned that - Coal Harbour is in downtown Vancouver, not at YVR, the international airport.

Over 50,000 movements a year, the 8th busiest airport in Canada! Also, the tallest ATC tower in the world at 466', on top of an office building.

I see West Coast Air also does the Vancouver-Victoria route using Twin Otters.

PS The main reason not to fly in the S76 (apart from the fact that it is not a floatplane) is that it has to fly very high, because of the noise. The floatplanes, on the other hand, fly quite low and you get a spectacular view of the Gulf Islands

GROUNDHOG

Agree re Harbour Air, what a friendly efficient airline they are, could teach a few others across the globe a lesson or two. I am sitting in Nanaimo now as a regular visitor and have flown HA a number of times but there are lots of choices when you get to YVR.

Spectacular too as well if you can get across to Tofino and fly with Atleo who do charters and will tailor make a trip for you. The greatest flight in my life was flying with them around the glacier then landing on a small remote lake followed by whale watching and flying over an old catalina which has crashed many years ago.

A trip sadly tinged with later news, RIP Damon and thanks for an unforgettable experience.

nivsy

Thanks everone. Going to check out the Harbour Air site. Is this the same Harbour Air (or connected) to the Harbour Air that fly out of Malta Harbour? Used them a couple of years ago and it was a great trip.

Nivsy

kernowbird

In September we returned direct to YVR from Nanimo on a turbine otter, allowing us an extra day on the island, and an easy trip to the airport. It was only the early low cloud that caused us any worries, but the skipper stopped the climb at 200 feet until we cleared the harbour, and then cruised at 500 feet across to the mainland. Even Mrs K-B was grinning!
At Tofino, you can catch the "mail run" with Tofino Air I think it is, sounds like a great trip around the local settlements, but as it was raining cats and dogs (100mm in the day) had to miss that one.
The Martin Mars are off the water at Sproat Lake now as the fire fighting season is over. Therefore visits are no longer possible, you will just have to go back next summer to see them!

Planemike

Nivsy..........

Yes, connected, the aircaft and crew are from Canada. The aircraft is Maltese registered 9H-AFA. I enjoyed a trip on the Otter last year, brilliant !!!

Planemike

ChrisVJ

I could give yopu a SEAPLANE trip around Vancouver (well, more of a lake plane really) but you'd have to bring your own bicycle clips (there's a lot of pedalling.)

Loki

Thoroughly enjoyed my trip from Vancouver to Victoria with Harbour Air a few years back.....




I did like their operation, informal, but very professional. There was an operator at nanaimo on the island called Baxter Aviation with a fleet of about 9 Beavers....someone told me they have since gone bust, but perhaps if they were bought out by another company, they still offer some interesting trips.

GROUNDHOG

OOOH a Harbour Air Otter just flew past the window how odd - brilliant airline love them, friendly efficient and reliable. If you are in Tofino recommend Atleo River Air Services, they seem cheaper than most over there to do a little charter.... now I shall try to add a piccy - here goes.....failed....

nivsy

Come on Groundhog.....try down loading that pic again.......

Glen177RG

Hi,
You might want to check out VanCity Seaplanes.
Get in touch with Pete, He runs a tight ship, and has few different birds.
Why not build some actual float time instead of just looking out the window? Just sayin...
Seaplane Charters and Sightseeing in Vancouver, BC

Loki

This just came up on my recommended list on you tube..

airbusoieng

Try Saltspring Air. They have a Beaver flight from downtown Vancouver- Coal Harbour to a place called Granite Falls, let you walk around and then return.

Sorry haven't done it.

Have fun.

'India-Mike

I flew with HA August 2010. 45 min trip from the harbour. I think they offered 30 and 60 min trips too. I'm fairly sure they were flown with Otters and Beavers but I specifically wanted a Beaver flight. Just out and back to the west on a scenic trip then a return over the city. Excellent value for money (paid by cc so when I got home discovered I'd benefitted from a good exchange rate!

Loved it so much went back to Pat Bay this year and got a float rating of my own. Magic fun in a magical part of the world. Enjoy