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 Vancouver International Airport, as well as Thetis, DeCourcy and Ruxton Island.

With fares starting at just $114 one-way for adults, flying with Gulf Island Seaplanes is also a surprisingly cost-effective way to explore this beautiful corner of British Columbia. We believe there’s no better way to immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery of the Southern Gulf Islands than by flying on a floatplane. Not only is it much more convenient and quicker than taking ferries, flying by floatplane lets you see views that you’ll never get from the ground.

When you fly with Gulf Island Seaplanes, you’re also part of a rich legacy of aviation history. We exclusively fly the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, an iconic aircraft that is the first image that comes to mind for many when they think of floatplanes. 

The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver has been a workhorse on the West Coast of British Columbia for over 70 years. First introduced in 1948, the DHC-2 Beaver has since gained a legendary reputation among bush pilots and aviation enthusiasts for its excellent performance, reliability and iconic appearance.

As a testament to the outstanding durability and capabilities of this aircraft, many DHC-2 Beavers are still flying today, more than 50 years after the last of the aircraft was built in 1967. At Gulf Island Seaplanes we are honoured to be able to fly this wonderful aircraft, and we plan to continue for many years to come.

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.

As part of our flight services, we also provide guests with opportunities to explore and witness the beautiful scenery and awe-inspiring wildlife of the West Coast.

To find out more the partnered experiences we offer to our clients, please visit our Experiences page.

Gabriola Island is just a short 12-minute flight away from Vancouver International Airport by seaplane, making it the ideal destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Call us toll-free at 1-800-665-2359 or email us at info@gulfislandseaplanes.com to find out how we can help plan your next adventure!