December 11, 2023| 1

Celebrating the Holidays with Gulf Island Seaplanes

As the holiday season approaches, Gulf Island Seaplanes is gearing up to connect families and deliver Christmas cheer across our West Coast routes. With bases at Silva Bay on Gabriola Island, YVR South Terminal and the Downtown Vancouver Harbour, we carry more than just passengers – we’re here to make the festive season a little brighter for …

gulf island seaplanes chartered flights vancouver gabriola
July 10, 2023| 5

Scenic Flights from Downtown Vancouver

NOTE: Scenic flights have been placed on seasonal hiatus for the winter and will resume in Spring 2025. Nestled alongside the lofty peaks of the Coast Mountains and the Strait of Georgia, the bustling city of Vancouver is world-renowned for its glimmering skyscrapers, year-round mild climate and stunning natural beauty. And there’s no better wa …

Slider-2
April 16, 2022| 5

A Workhorse on Wings: The History of our DHC-2 Beaver Aircraft

When you think of a floatplane, chances are you’ll be thinking of a De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver. A workhorse for generations of pilots, the DHC-2 Beaver is a truly Canadian icon, and one that we’re proud to fly now and for many years to come. First introduced in 1948, the DHC-2 Beaver type has seen use in almost every field imaginab …

de havilland
February 7, 2022| 11

De Havilland Beaver -Best Bush Plane Ever Built

The de Havilland Beaver is arguably the best bush plane ever built. It is officially known as the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 MK1, conceived and built in Downsview, Ontario, Canada. The Beaver was reliable, sturdy, and able to land on short lengths of water, land, and snow. The aircraft is purpose-built and is capable of carrying heavy loads into rou …

gabriola island experiences gulf island seaplanes packages
December 16, 2021| 2

Exploring the Southern Gulf Islands

The Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia are renowned for their beauty, tranquility and abundant animal life – both on land and in the surrounding waters. Gulf Island Seaplanes is your link to the Southern Gulf Islands. We offer regularly scheduled flights between our base at Silva Bay on Gabriola Island to the floatplane terminal at Vanc …

silva bay resort & marina gulf island seaplanes
December 2, 2021| 4

Ongoing Developments at Silva Bay Resort & Marina

Silva Bay Resort & Marina is designed to be a gathering place for boaters, locals and visitors alike in this beautiful corner of Gabriola Island. Currently under development, Silva Bay Resort & Marina will feature a new 16-room luxury hotel designed with environmentally-conscious materials and landscaping. The resort will also contain a new …

gabriola island floatplane service
November 2, 2021| 3

Gabriola Island: A Year Round Destination

Situated just minutes away from the port city of Nanaimo, picturesque Gabriola Island is well known for its beautiful beaches, breathtaking views and a vibrant cultural scene reflected in its well-earned reputation as the “Isle of the Arts”.   Whether you’re visiting for the day or staying a few nights, Gabriola features a wide range of exciting act …

gulf island seaplanes chartered flights vancouver gabriola
October 29, 2021| 2

Vancouver Island Listed as a Top 10 Destination by Lonely Planet

Global travel authority Lonely Planet has unveiled its top 10 countries, cities and regions to visit next year with the release of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2022.  Best in Travel 2022 is Lonely Planet’s 17th annual collection of the world’s hottest destinations and the must-have travel experiences for the year ahead. This edition places particu …

gulf island seaplanes gabriola to vancouver international airport floatplane charters vancouver island
October 15, 2021| 3

Introducing Our New Logo

We’re very excited to introduce our new look here at Gulf Island Seaplanes – one that reflects our proud heritage as an Indigenous-owned airline here on the West Coast of British Columbia. Designed by Tom Spetter, Lead Designer at the Victoria-based digital agency Animikii Inc . , our new logo features strong local Indigenous artistic infl …

vancouver floatplane gabriola island
September 24, 2021| 2

Gulf Island Seaplanes – The Most Convenient Way to Travel!

When people think of travelling by floatplane, they usually think if scenic flights where the journey, not the destination, is the main selling point. Given the abundant beauty of the West Coast we can definitely understand why many people think this way – but at Gulf Island Seaplanes we’re proud to provide floatplane services that are …

gulf island seaplanes charters
September 1, 2021| 3

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 fer …