That’s why we’re very proud to be Sustainable Tourism Bronze Certified with GreenStep Solutions. Awarded after a comprehensive sustainability assessment last summer, this distinction demonstrates our commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and sustainable practices in the tourism and aviation industries.

The GreenStep certification process involves an in-depth evaluation of a company’s operations, including its waste management practices, energy efficiency measures, community support and much more. Gulf Island Seaplanes has implemented a a range of sustainable practices to earn this recognition.

We support local organizations and communities alike to promote responsible tourism and preserve the region’s natural and cultural heritage. We also support local businesses whenever possible, helping to contribute to the economic well-being of the communities we serve.

In 2022, we partnered with the Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiative, an Indigenous-led carbon offsets project designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support local Indigenous communities and to protect this critical and irreplaceable ecosystem for future generations. By purchasing carbon credits through this initiative, we’re able to to reduce our carbon footprint and provide meaningful support for Indigenous-led environmental stewardship efforts here on the West Coast.

Achieving Sustainable Tourism Bronze Certification represents a new milestone for our team at Gulf Island Seaplanes, but we aren’t done yet. We’re constantly working to improve our sustainability practices, and we look forward to reaching new heights with GreenStep in the months and years to come.

At Gulf Island Seaplanes we offer 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, we are your link to bustling cities, charming towns, remote inlets and picturesque islands across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland.

The post Gulf Island Seaplanes Awarded Sustainable Tourism Bronze Certification appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

One of the unique services we offer during this special time of year is the efficient movement of cargo. Imagine getting your Christmas gifts delivered swiftly and seamlessly, thanks to our fast and reliable floatplane services. Whether it’s precious presents for your loved ones or holiday essentials, we’ve got you covered.

During the busy Christmas season, our flights might fill up quickly. If you find a fully booked flight, don’t fret! Reach out to our Silva Bay base at  250-247-9992 or info@gulfislandseaplanes.com and we’ll explore the possibility of adding another flight to accommodate your travel plans. Your convenience is our priority, especially during this (sometimes hectic!) time of year.

We’re incredibly thankful to our passengers over the years who always think of us during the holiday season. It warms our hearts to have received cards, baked goods, chocolates, wine, gift baskets, and even artwork for our office. Your generosity fuels our team and enhances the holiday spirit at Gulf Island Seaplanes.

One of our cherished traditions is designing our own Christmas card every year, featuring new and familiar faces from our dedicated team. These cards are flown between our bases and head office, ensuring that every team member can sign each one. Many of our frequent fliers eagerly anticipate receiving these unique cards, none more so than Tatianna, our youngest Christmas card recipient.

Looking for the perfect gift? Consider the gift of flight! Gulf Island Seaplanes offers personalized gift certificates for scheduled or scenic flights. It’s a unique and memorable way to share the joy of travel with your loved ones. Additionally, we have stylish hats and t-shirts available for purchase – the ideal accessories for aviation enthusiasts or anyone wanting to showcase their Gulf Island Seaplanes experience.

As we prepare for the festive season, Gulf Island Seaplanes is committed to making your holiday travel and gifting experiences truly special. Let’s soar into the holidays together, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Happy holidays from Gulf Island Seaplanes!

At Gulf Island Seaplanes we offer 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, we are your link to bustling cities, charming towns, remote inlets and picturesque islands across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland.

The post Celebrating the Holidays with Gulf Island Seaplanes appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

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 way to soak in the views in all directions than from the air. A scenic floatplane flight out of downtown Vancouver presents an unparalleled opportunity to witness the city’s iconic skyline and its surrounding mountains, forests, and waterways in all their glory. As you take off from the shimmering waters of Vancouver Harbour, you’ll feel a surge of excitement as the cityscape gradually gives way to sprawling vistas of untamed wilderness.

Join us aboard one of our scenic floatplane flights from the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre in Downtown Vancouver for an experience you won’t soon forget. Every seat aboard our iconic De Havilland Beaver seaplanes is a window seat, meaning you’ll enjoy a view of all that Vancouver has to offer throughout your entire flight.

We offer three different options for your next scenic floatplane adventure, ideal for tourists with a packed itinerary or longtime locals looking to see their city like never before.

Short Hopper – 20 minutes

Perfect for those on a tight travel schedule, our Short Hopper flights are a great way to soak in the main sights of Vancouver from the skies.

On this 20-minute trip (10 minutes of flight-time), you’ll soar above popular Vancouver sights like Stanley Park, Kitsilano, False Creek, the Lions Gate Bridge as well as parts of North and West Vancouver. Not requiring a long time commitment, our Short Hopper scenic flights also serve as a wonderful introduction to flying onboard a floatplane – a must for every visitor to the West Coast!

Flight paths are approximate and may vary depending on local weather conditions. Please note that our Short Hopper scenic flights require a minimum of two (2) passengers in order to operate. 

Vancouver Vista – 30 minutes

With views of the city, the Strait of Georgia, the Sunshine Coast and beautiful Bowen Island, our Vancouver Vista tours offer a birds-eye view of some of the very best that the West Coast has to offer.

After takeoff from Vancouver Harbour, you’ll soar above the same views that our Short Hopper scenic flights offer, but with the added sights of Bowen Island, Keats Island, as well as the picturesque ferry harbours of Langdale and Horseshoe Bay. With more time spent in the air than our Short Hopper flights, our 30-minute (20 minutes of flight-time) Vancouver Vista tours are a great way to explore more of the West Coast beyond the city limits.

Flight paths are approximate and may vary depending on local weather conditions. Please note that our Vancouver Vista scenic flights require a minimum of three (3) passengers in order to operate. 

Vancouver Vista Plus – 45 minutes

Our longest seaplane tour, our Vancouver Vista Plus flights are the ultimate experience for those looking to soak in views of majestic coastal mountains, ancient old-growth rainforests and stunning alpine glaciers.

As with our two other scenic tour options, your flight begins and ends at the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre in Downtown Vancouver. Soon after takeoff, you’ll head north across Burrard Inlet following the famous Sea-to-Sky Highway towards the beautifully situated town of Squamish. Turning back in a wide loop, you’ll fly directly over the lofty Coast Mountains, Capilano and the Lion’s Gate Bridge before enjoying a birds-eye tour of Kitsilano, False Creek and downtown. Lasting 45 minutes (35 minutes of flight time) you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make memories that’ll last a lifetime.

Flight paths are approximate and may vary depending on local weather conditions. Please note that our Vancouver Vista Plus scenic flights require a minimum of three (3) passengers in order to operate. 

Booking & Extra Information

Booking your scenic floatplane flight is a breeze – call us at 250-247-9992 or email us at info@gulfislandseaplanes.com today! We will require a credit card to hold your reservation as well as the ID of the prospective passengers in your booking.

When checking in, we require passengers to be present 20 minutes before their tour so that we can send them out on time. Passengers can request specific seats as well like the co-pilot seat or if they feel more comfortable in another seat then they can also request that. Once everyone is checked in we’ll walk you and all other passengers down to the aircraft where you’ll receive a briefing as well as any information on the aircraft and route they’re going on.

Please note: Routes may be modified or cancelled depending on weather conditions.

Depending on local weather conditions, we may have to modify the selected route of your scenic floatplane tour or reschedule it to a later time and/or date.

Please also note that since we book scenic flights based on demand, if there’s space in the day available where there aren’t any regularly scheduled flights going out then we’ll usually insert a scenic flight every hour on the hour. This gives pilots breaks in between flights and allows them to rest before returning to the cockpit.

These scenic tours are operated on a first come, first serve basis which means that whoever books a particular timeslot first gets to choose which scenic flight tour they will be doing. On occasion where the passenger requirement isn’t met (see above disclaimers) we will book them in for the shorter scenic flight option that their party sizes qualifies them for until additional passenger(s) book the flight.

At Gulf Island Seaplanes we offer 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, we are your link to bustling cities, charming towns, remote inlets and picturesque islands across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland.

The post Scenic Flights from Downtown Vancouver appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

Home to dozens of First Nation communities since time immemorial, the Great Bear Rainforest supports healthy populations of salmon, wolves, cougars, grizzly bears and the famed spirit bear, a unique subspecies of the black bear found nowhere else in the world.

At Gulf Island Seaplanes we are proud to announce our new partnership with the Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiative, an Indigenous-led carbon offsets project designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support local Indigenous communities and to protect this critical and irreplaceable ecosystem for future generations. By purchasing carbon credits through this initiative, we able to to reduce our carbon footprint and provide meaningful support for Indigenous-led environmental stewardship efforts here on the West Coast.

Formed through an Atmospheric Benefit Sharing Agreement (ABSA) between the provincial government and seven participating nations of the Coast First Nations (the Nuxalk Nation, Wuikinuxv Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Kitasoo Indian Band, Heiltsuk Nation, Gitga’at First Nation and the Haida Nation), this revenue-sharing agreement gives Coastal First Nations 80 per cent of the revenue from carbon credit sales. It also provides Coastal First Nations the ability to harvest one million tonnes of ‘carbon offsets’ per year from the Great Bear Rainforest.

Like other intact tracts of coastal temperate rainforest on the western coast of Canada and the United States, the Great Bear Rainforest stores more carbon per hectare than any tropical rainforest, including the Amazon. When trees are cut as part of logging or land clearance, the carbon stored within them is released back into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

Each carbon credit purchased by participating organizations like Gulf Island Seaplanes helps further improve forestry practices across Coastal First Nation Territories, including replanting and reducing the frequency and severity of logging operations.

Please visit the Coastal First Nations website for further information about the Great Bear Initiative and to read compelling stories from member nations.

At Gulf Island Seaplanes we offer 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, we are your link to bustling cities, charming towns, remote inlets and picturesque islands across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland.

The post Gulf Island Seaplanes Partnering with the Coastal First Nations Great Bear Initiative appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

Our very own DHC-2 Beaver aircraft, registered as C-FHRT, has been given a new look that reflects our proud heritage as an Indigenous-owned airline here on the West Coast of British Columbia. This new livery is centered around our new company logo, which began use in the fall of last year. 

Our new logo also features Hagwilget Peak in the centre, a prominent peak situated just south of Hazelton in Northern British Columbia. This mountain holds a special significance to Alison Evans, the co-founder of Gulf Island Seaplanes. Including Hagwilget Peak in a logo that reflects the Indigenous-owned nature of Gulf Island Seaplanes was something she and fellow co-founder Sean Evans aspired to do for many years.

A workhorse in our fleet for years, C-FHRT is a common sight both at our base in Silva Bay on Gabriola Island, but also at many of our scheduled destinations including the floatplane terminal at Vancouver International Airport, and our two newest routes – the Thatch Pub dock at Hornby Island and the Vancouver Harbour Flight centre in downtown Vancouver.

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.

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.

In addition to our regularly scheduled routes, we also offer countless charter destinations to choose from. Bustling cities, charming towns, remote inlets and picturesque islands across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland are all yours to explore with your own charted flight.

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!

The post Introducing our New Livery appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

At Gulf Island Seaplanes we’re proud to introduce our newest scheduled route – to & from Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre in Downtown Vancouver directly to the dock at Thatch Pub on stunning Hornby Island. Click here for the latest schedule for our flights on this exciting new route.

Unlike all other floatplane services to & from Hornby Island, our flights will arrive and depart on the dock at the local’s favourite Thatch Pub instead of the beach. This means that our passengers won’t be getting their feet wet when boarding and arriving, and when the pub reopens in Summer 2023 following extensive renovations will also provide a great place to grab a drink or a bite to eat before or after a flight.

Just steps from the ferry terminal to nearby Denman Island, the dock is also a convenient choice for passengers looking to head to Hornby Island’s next-door neighbour. It’s also an affordable option, as the only added cost is a $9.50 round-trip BC Ferries ticket for foot passengers between Hornby and Denman. As a result, our new direct route to & from Downtown Vancouver is one of the most convenient ways to reach either island.

In contrast, getting to and from Hornby Island and Vancouver via the ferry can take the better part of a day. Those departing from Vancouver will have to travel to the closest terminal at either Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen, wait for and then board the two-hour long ferry terminal to Nanaimo, then spend an hour driving to Buckley Bay to take the ten-minute long ferry to Denman Island. This short ferry often involves a multiple sailing wait for passengers with vehicles during the summer months, adding to the already lengthy travel time.

After arriving on Denman, a 15 minute drive takes travelers to the eastern ferry terminal linking it to nearby Hornby Island. As with the ferry from Buckley Bay, multiple sailing waits are a frequent occurrence in the summer months. Once on board, a ten-minute long cruise takes passengers at last to Hornby Island. The return journey to Vancouver is no different, again taking the better part of a day from start to finish.

While this method of getting to or from Hornby and Vancouver is unavoidable for passengers with vehicles, those looking to travel on foot can save both time & often money with our direct scheduled flights. Residents of Hornby are able to visit Vancouver without two full days devoted to travelling there and back, and visitors are able to spend more time soaking in the sunshine at Tribune Bay Provincial Park and less time on waiting for ferries.

At Gulf Island Seaplanes we offer 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, we are your link to bustling cities, charming towns, remote inlets and picturesque islands across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland. 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 trip!

The post Direct Flights between Downtown Vancouver & Hornby Island appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

First introduced in 1948, the DHC-2 Beaver type has seen use in almost every field imaginable during its long and storied history. From crop dusting to passenger service, military liaison duties and just about everything in between, even 74 years after its introduction the Beaver remains the Swiss Army knife of the skies. Our very own DHC-2 Beaver aircraft, registered as C-FHRT, is no exception.

Built in 1958, C-FHRT was originally built as a L-20A, the military version of the DHC-2. It served for four years in various liaison and utility transport roles by the United States Army, before being re-designated as U6-A in 1962. Even now many U6-A Beavers still serve in the U.S. military, and are primarily used by U.S. Navy test pilots to tow the X-26 Frigate sailplane for test pilot school trainees.

After number of years in American military service C-FHRT eventually made its way north. Imported into Canada in 1973, C-FHRT soon began service as a floatplane, a role it has now been continuously employed in for nearly half a century. Flown by now-defunct Tyee Airways for nearly 20 years, C-FHRT undertook various routes along the Strait of Georgia and the Salish Sea. While the yellow livery it bore looked very different during that time, the duties C-FHRT performed were remarkably similar to those it does today.

The early 1990s were a difficult time in aviation, with a worldwide recession and rising fuel prices causing many major airlines like Pan Am and Eastern Airlines to cease operations. Smaller regional airlines were affected too, and after two decades of service with Tyee Airways C-FHRT found itself in the service of two new airlines in as many years.

Following brief stints with both Air Rainbow Ltd and Island Hopper Aviation Inc. out of Nanaimo during 1993, C-FHRT entered service with Air Rainbow Mid Coast out of Port McNeill in 1994. In this role C-FHRT ferried passengers and cargo between many remote destinations between northern Vancouver Island and the mainland. Floatplane service is particularly important to these communities, as many of them are only accessible by boat or floatplane-equipped aircraft.

After seven years of service in northern Vancouver Island, C-FHRT began service with Tofino Air. The aircraft then spent the next 13 years helping to connect residents of Tofino, Ucluelet and many other small communities along the western coast of Vancouver Island.

And this is where our chapter of the story begins. Acquired from Tofino Air in 2014, C-FHRT has since formed an integral part of our flight services at Gulf Island Seaplanes. One of a slowly-dwindling number of DHC-2 Beaver aircraft still using the iconic radial engine, flying with us on C-FHRT presents an opportunity to experience aviation history first-hand. And despite being built over 60 years ago, C-FHRT is every bit as reliable, hard-working and fun to fly on as it was when it was first built in 1958.

At Gulf Island Seaplanes we offer 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, we are your link to bustling cities, charming towns, remote inlets and picturesque islands across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland.

The post A Workhorse on Wings: The History of our DHC-2 Beaver Aircraft appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

De Havilland hired five engineers in 1946 to develop the new aircraft. The team came up with an all-metal design with a single-engine, incorporating all the features requested by the pilots. The de Havilland Beaver was named after the mammal since all the de Havilland Canada airplanes were named after animals.

The post De Havilland Beaver -Best Bush Plane Ever Built appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

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!

The post Exploring the Southern Gulf Islands appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

These developments will enable Silva Bay to serve as a focal point for locals and visitors across eastern Gabriola Island, an area currently without any grocery stores and under-served by restaurants. 

Silva Bay Resort & Marina is also taking steps to ensure that its current moorage services are not affected by the ongoing developments. As a result, Silva Bay Resort & Marina continues to offer long term, winter, transient and summer moorage options for customers, and aims to maintain the current marina operations and moorage prices. They will also be providing an alternative access road to the marina during the main roadway construction, and will be providing directional signage to guide all roadway users. 

With a dedicated company mission to creating outstanding experiences for their guests, the staff at Silva Bay Resort & Marina will provide highly personalized service and gracious hospitality in an informally elegant setting. As a result, a visit to Silva Bay Resort & Marina on Gabriola Island will be one not to be missed. With a unique sense of place and culture on Gabriola, the ‘Isle of the Arts’ is both an art-lover’s and nature-lover’s paradise. For more information about Silva Bay Resort & Marina please visit their website. 

Situated on the eastern corner of Gabriola, Silva Bay is the entryway to a number of other island destinations in the Georgia Strait. Silva Bay is also our main hub, and from there we offer year-round scheduled, chartered, scenic, and freight flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Gabriola Island as well as as a number of other destinations along the Strait of Georgia.

For further information on our flights, please contact us at info@gulfislandseaplanes.com, or call us at 1-250-247-9992 or toll free at 1-800-665-2359. You can also follow us on Facebook at @GulfIslandSeaplanes. We hope to see you on board soon!

The post Ongoing Developments at Silva Bay Resort & Marina appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

Let’s say you need to go from Gabriola to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in order catch a flight there to another city – a common motive for many of our passengers on our flights. If you chose to take the ferry to get to YVR in time for a 1 p.m. flight, you would have to take the 6:20 a.m. ferry from Gabriola to Nanaimo Harbour, and from there take a taxi to the Duke Point ferry terminal (approx. $50 with tip).

Once at the terminal you would board the 7:45 a.m. sailing to Tsawwassen ($18 fare), arriving there two hours later at 9:45 a.m.. From there you would need to take a taxi/rideshare app (approx. $70 with tip) to the airport, finally arriving there no earlier than 10:15 a.m.

If you choose to bring your own vehicle for the duration of your journey to YVR you will save on paying for taxis/rideshares, but will have to pay at least $60 to take your vehicle with you on the Duke Point to Tsawwassen ferry. If you bring a larger vehicles you will have to pay even more. Another thing to consider is how much it will cost to park at YVR for the duration of your trip – if you’re gone for a week it will cost about $150 to keep your car at the airport.

Foot passengers looking to save money can take public transportation between Tsawwassen and the airport, but depending on scheduling and luck this can take much longer – meaning you could risk missing your flight.

Some locals on Gabriola choose to stay in a hotel at Vancouver International Airport the night before their flights to reduce the time spent travelling in a single day. This can add upwards of $100 to the cost of travelling via ferries.

Total time and cost for taking the ferry from Gabriola to YVR:

• 4 hours minimum, ~$140 as foot passenger
• 4 hours minimum, ~$210 travelling with vehicle ($60 for ferries + $150 for one week of parking at YVR)

By contrast, travellers looking to make the exact same journey via our regularly scheduled flights save plenty of time and money. We fly direct to and from Silva Bay on Gabriola Island to the floatplane terminal at Vancouver International Airport.

From taking off to touching down your flight will take just 20 minutes, and will provide you with a birds-eye view of some of the most spectacular scenery to be found anywhere on the West Coast. Upon arrival, a free courtesy shuttle takes you to the main terminal at YVR in just minutes. With one-way fares at just $114 for adults, you can save on both time and money by flying with us over taking the ferry.

Total time and cost for flying to/from Gabriola and YVR: 

• 30 minutes and $114 for adults (seniors save 10%)

It’s rare that the most scenic way to travel is also the most convenient and affordable, but travelling with Gulf Island Seaplanes is. Situated on the eastern corner of Gabriola, beautiful and historic Silva Bay is the home of Gulf Island Seaplanes. From Silva Bay we offer year-round scheduled and chartered flights to a number of destinations along the Salish Sea.

For further information, get in touch with our team by emailing us at info@gulfislandseaplanes.com, calling 1-250-247-9992 or toll free at 1-800-665-2359. You can also follow us on Facebook at @GulfIslandSeaplanes. We hope to see you on board soon!

The post To & From Gabriola: Flying with Gulf Island Seaplanes vs Taking BC Ferries appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.

Breathtaking chartered flights with Gulf Island Seaplanes can take you to tiny remote islands and spectacular resorts that commercial flights do not reach. Our warm and friendly staff will be ready to welcome you with a smile as you and your family, friends, or colleagues set off on a trip you won’t soon forget.

• Chartering your own seaplane service offers you conveniences that simply do not exist with commercial air services. For example, you have the unique benefit of choosing your destination. Therefore, you have more options to choose from for better accessibility. 

• Furthermore, we have aircraft based out of YVR, Nanaimo, Gabriola, and Sechelt. Indeed, chartering your own seaplane offers a selection of exciting options for both extended-stay tourists, day trippers, and companies looking to build employee relationships. Island-hopping or visiting some of the many picturesque resorts dotted along Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are just some of the countless opportunities that are available when chartering your own seaplane!

• You can reach remote and hard-to-reach destinations with ease with an experienced seaplane charter. Exploring islands in the Pacific Northwest becomes a breeze with your own private charter. Now remote places you’ve only read about are just an awe-inspiring flight away!

• We are able to accommodate pets on board our flights. Pets 25 lbs and under will be included as part of your allowable 25 lbs of luggage per passenger. Dogs may sit on owner’s lap with a dog harness (either supplied by the owner or Gulf Island Seaplanes) as well as attached to the passenger’s seatbelt. Pets weighing over 25lbs will be charged a full passenger rate. Please see our FAQ section for further details. 

• Travelers may further avoid the heartache of cancelled commercial flights due to unforeseen circumstances. An air charter service is an excellent alternative with fewer chances of cancellation due to overbooking and limited facilities.

• There are fewer options in selecting your itinerary with commercial flights. However, your own chartered aircraft can be more customized to suit your unique schedule and plans.

• Comfort is a big bonus with chartering. Commercial flights are often filled to the brim with stressed travelers. Flying privately offers a more intimate flight experience in a calmer atmosphere, especially valuable for travelers concerned about the spread of COVD-19 on crowded commercial flights. 

• Businesses benefit from our floatplane services in a variety of ways. Engineering companies, environmental researchers, government officials and more have experienced the convenience of travel when flying on one of our chartered floatplane services.

• Additionally, you save time booking a seaplane charter. Straightforward and efficient, simply phone us directly to book your flight in minutes. We cut your travel time and costs so you can be more productive.

Getting there is half the fun when you fly with your own chartered floatplane service! 

Situated on the eastern corner of Gabriola, Silva Bay is the entryway to a number of other island destinations in the Georgia Strait. Silva Bay is also our main hub, and from there we offer year-round scheduled, chartered, scenic, and freight flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Gabriola Island as well as as a number of other destinations along the Strait of Georgia.

For further information, get in touch with our friendly staff by emailing us at info@gulfislandseaplanes.com, calling 1-250-247-9992 or toll free at 1-800-665-2359. You can also follow us on Facebook at @GulfIslandSeaplanes. We hope to see you on board soon!

The post Why You Should Charter Your Own Seaplane Service appeared first on Flights to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.