Choosing Your Floatplane Charter Destination

Gulf Island Seaplanes offers regularly scheduled and chartered floatplane services to a number of destinations on the beautiful West Coast of British Columbia.

With countless charter destinations to choose from, Gulf Island Seaplanes is your link to bustling cities, charming towns, remote inlets and picturesque islands across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland.

At Gulf island Seaplanes we know that with so many beautiful destinations to choose from, narrowing down your destination isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of three of our most popular charter destinations to help you choose the one that suits you and your plans the most.

DeCourcy Island

Nestled alongside its larger island neighbours Gabriola and Valdez, DeCourcy Island is both beautiful and charming. Although just a few miles across the water from the busy downtown core of Nanaimo, DeCourcy feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

DeCourcy is quieter than many of the larger Gulf Islands with just 20 or so year-round residents, but the population grows significantly during the summer months. You won’t find any services on the island besides the local marina, but the locals don’t seem to mind.

A popular destination for those seeking to ‘get away from it all’, DeCourcy is the perfect spot for an off-the-grid summer retreat or a day-trip from Nanaimo. With no ferry service to DeCourcy, the only way to reach to island is by boat, water-taxi or a floatplane service with Gulf Island Seaplanes.

Hornby Island

Situated in the pristine Northern Gulf Islands, Hornby Island is a world of wonders: sandy beaches, lush forests and sunny skies await those who visit this hidden island gem.

Hornby Island is accessible via ferry from Denman Island (itself reachable by ferry from Buckley Bay Ferry Terminal on Vancouver Island) or by direct chartered floatplane service with Gulf Island Seaplanes. The latter option is much quicker and more convenient, and is ideal for those who do not need to bring a vehicle with them to the island.

Commonly referred to as ‘Little Hawaii, Tribune Bay Provincial Park is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike on Hornby. With white sand beaches and crystal-clear water, Tribune Bay earns its nickname with palm trees making way for tall cedars and Douglas firs.

Tofino

There’s some stiff competition, but Tofino may just be one of the most beautiful places on the West Coast of British Columbia. Situated within the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, Tofino is home to rare old growth rainforests, quiet inlets and a thriving culture unique to this small and laidback West Coast town.

Visitors come to Tofino for a multitude of reasons: surfing, fishing, boating, swimming, camping, storm watching, hiking and sightseeing to name just a few. Although at its busiest in the summer months, Tofino provides visitors with a unique spirit of adventure in every season.

One of the best ways to take in the beauty of this stunning corner of Vancouver Island is by chartering your own floatplane with Gulf Island Seaplanes. 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!