As already mentioned, your safest bet is to get the 12-month CAA licence in advance. (The local TC office I used ran it through their regional office which took 3 days of inter-office waffle.)

N.B. YOU CANNOT VISIT CANADA WITHOUT GETTING SOME FLOATPLANE FLYING IN!!!!

Beware though, I did the CAA floatplane endorsement back in 2003. Upon taking off from water for the first time I had the closest thing I will ever have to a religious experience, "If God put me here for anything, it is to do this!"

Absolutely changed my life. Sold up in Europe and moved here the following year, fly floats every week and skis in Winter and never looked back.

You have been warned! ;)

Fying off the water is indeed, a delightful experience. Prepare with informed expectations though, I have had to disappoint some hopeful flyers by declining float flying with them due to conditions.

In particular, any floatplane you can rent for this purpose, will not be safely operated in more than 12" waves, and that is pushing it - extra skill required. Do not expect to get sent solo in a rental float plane. If you are, there will be very strick rules as to where you can take it. The insurance companies know that you are not taking it to an airport, with all of the associated "normal" operating environment, and help.

Allow a few days, so you can pick the best for conditions. Fly very early, or very late in the day, no night flying though...

Have Fun, Pilot DAR