Harbour Air - Vancouver to Victoria by Seaplane
Harbour Air Seaplanes fly from Vancouver to Victoria and Kenmore Air Seaplanes Fly from Seattle to Victoria
Seaplane adventure is a famous Victoria BC tourist attraction. This should be in your list of things to do in Victoria. We love vacationing. These kind of memories are a great way to relax our brain and create something new to chat with family and friends forever.
Adventure and a Way to Get Here
There is a way you can add a very popular tourist attraction – “Seaplane adventure” to Victoria BC vacation and save time and money. This is by taking the seaplane directly to Downtown Victoria from Vancouver or Seattle to start your Victoria adventure.
Bake two Desserts in One Oven :-)
Fly directly to Victoria Downtown by a seaplane. You can get seaplane tour and a quick trip to Victoria Downtown. Combining a flight-seeing adventure with getting here to Victoria BC , is one way to save good money.
Our friends and family have taken this seaplane route on their way to Victoria. They have thanked us for this money saving tip.
Ferry Trip is Fun, but Consider the Time it Takes Too
When coming home to Victoria from Vancouver we have taken the ferry route many times. It's a fun trip but takes up a lot of our time. 2 to 3 hours of travel time between cities to ferry terminals. Add another 1 1/2 hours of the ferry ride ( total around 4 to 5 hours)… Day is over and not much room for anything. However, you can keep the ferry option opened for your return trip too.
Faster than Flying to Victoria International Airport ( YYJ)
We used to consider flying to YYJ is faster. Still, the Airport ( YYJ ) to Downtown Victoria is a 30 minute drive. But then, we discovered this nice and easy Harbour Air seaplane flight directly to Downtown.
30 Minutes You are in Downtown Victoria
Harbour Air seaplanes can fly us from Downtown Vancouver Coal Harbour or Vancouver Airport (YVR) Seaplane terminal to Downtown Victoria within 30 minutes.
Remember if you are flying to/from Vancouver International Airport (YVR), there is a complimentary shuttle that takes you to the seaplane terminal … Easy transfer.
The Downtown Seaplane terminal is in the heart of Victoria City. Any Downtown hotel is just within 5 to 10 minutes of taxi drive.
Friendly Staff
The Harbour Air's friendly staff give excellent service to their customers.
Terminals are not just boring places, you will get to see Seaplanes landings and take
offs, get complimentary snacks, newspapers and internet access.
What's the Best Seat? ... If You Have a Chance to Get It!
Our cousin flew from Vancouver to Victoria downtown. He got permission to sit next to the pilot. He says it is the best seat in the airplane. Offered to you as first-come-first-served basis. So remember to ask before you board the plane. If no one has requested it already, then you are lucky and its your seat.
Discount and Special Deals?
There are cheap tickets available. We buy these tickets online a day or two before taking flight. These are type of last minute deals called SuperSaver Webfares, available for online booking only.
Children get a discount when they are accompanied by an adult … You need to book over the phone to get discounts for children. Our daughter gets a 50% off the regular price, since she is still under 11 years old. Kids under 2 years fly free.
My small tip here … First I call to make sure plenty of seats are available for my flight. Next I buy Supersaver deal for two of us Online. Then I book my daughter's ticket over the phone 50% off ( be open and tell them this is what you are doing because it saves money – They may even give you a better option).
Luggage allowance? Important and You Should Verify Always Before Buying Tickets
We see seaplane always have different luggage allowance for domestic and International airlines. Last time requirements were 50 lbs ( 23Kg) per person when flying out of Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Victoria Downtown. A lower limit 25lb (11.5Kg) when flying out of Vancouver Downtown to Victoria Downtown. To be on the safer side, make sure to check with them before buying your tickets.
Harbour Air Tours and Charter Flights From Vancouver and Victoria
Let's say your plans are different from my suggestions and you still need to experience a Seaplane tour. There are some great tours offered from Vancouver and Victoria. These are so tempting. We like trying one of these tours in the future, and if we do I will be posting here some pictures for sure.
Some tours will fly you to a tranquil scenic locations serve you with 3 course meal are ideal for a great date night with someone special ...
Seaplane tour to the world famous Butchart Garden in Victoria is a great way to spend a full day in Victoria.
Charter tours are for you to use your imagination. Wherever there is water to land a seaplane it could be your next seaplane trip.
Harbour Air Story
Before wrapping up the page here's a little bit about their Story/History …
They established service in 1982 with 2 small seaplanes. 2010 they purchased West Coast Air another well known seaplane company.
Today it is the largest all seaplane company in the world. In 2007 the company became the first airline in North America to use Carbon neutral concept. They do this through a British Columbia based organization “Offsetters” (an organization that fund programs to take greenhouse gas off of our air). There are people who fly Harbour Air just because the fact they are carbon neutral.
In 2009 Harbour Air was included in Canada's 50 best managed companies.
We see Harbour Air still holding West Coast Air logo. When we were waiting to pick up some friends in Victoria we saw some colorful seaplanes landing ... They are all one company.
Some with their original logo
Some with West Coast Air logo
Some colorful planes too.
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