4 Reasons to Fly via Floatplane

 Across large stretches of the West Coast of British Columbia, roads and highways are at a premium with isolated communities and islands spread across this vast area. When it comes to travelling from place to place along the West Coast, often there only two options – to go by water or by air.

Many visitors and residents choose to travel by ferry, especially on busier routes like Vancouver to Nanaimo or Swartz Bay. Despite the widespread usage of ferry services along the West Coast, there are several advantages to travelling the other way – by air.

While there are some scheduled land-based flights between various destinations on the West Coast, the most convenient way by far to travel by air is on a floatplane. Instead of being tied to airports often located miles from your end destination, our floatplanes can land on almost any stretch of water – and there’s plenty of that here on the West Coast. 

1. Saving Time 

Perhaps the most obvious advantage of flying via floatplane over taking the ferry is time. For example, our signature route to and from Silva Bay on Gabriola Island to the floatplane terminal at Vancouver Intl. Airport takes just 15 to 20 minutes.

Going on the same route via ferry requires taking two different ferries with wait times and travel times between them – taking upwards of at least three hours. The travel time differences are even greater when travelling to more remote destinations, making going by floatplane the only convenient option. 

2. Convenience 

Another factor in favour in travelling by floatplane is convenience. Unlike land-based airlines we do not fly in and out of airports, meaning having to get to the often-inconveniently located airport several hours before your flight is not necessary. Our charted floatplane services go to an almost limitless number of destinations, meaning you aren’t tied to set airline routes. 

Our floatplane services are also much more convenient for passengers coming to and from Vancouver Intl. Airport on other flights. Unlike the ferry, our flights land just a few minutes away by a free shuttle from the main terminal of Vancouver Intl. Airport. 

3. Potential Cost Savings 

As mentioned before, our floatplane services are much more convenient for passengers coming to and from Gabriola from other flights coming in and out of Vancouver Intl. Airport. However, convenience isn’t the only benefit in this scenario – it’s also cheaper. 

A traveler arriving at Vancouver Intl. Airport from a different flight and then heading to Gabriola can simply take the free five-minute shuttle from the main terminal to the floatplane terminal, board their floatplane flight and arrive on Gabriola Island soon afterwards. The only costs involved are the $114 ticket for the floatplane flight. 

When compared to the costs of taxi/rideshare services, public transportation as well as the costs of the two ferries involved in making this same trip via ferry, the advantages of travelling by floatplane are clear. 

4. Views 

Travelling along the west coast by floatplane gives you a birds-eye-view of some of the most spectacular scenery in North America. It also lets you experience the views of rugged islands, steep mountains and hidden valleys that you can’t get from travelling on the ground or on the water. 

Gulf Island Seaplanes also provides regularly scheduled and charter services to a number of destinations on the West Coast of B.C. To find out more about booking your own chartered floatplane service, call us at 250-247-9992 or reach us by email at info@gulfislandseaplanes.com today!