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If you’re ready to explore Vancouver and the surrounding area by air, you’ve come to the right place!
Vancouver is known for its iconic seaplanes that take off and land on the water. As locals, we think this is an experience that shouldn’t be missed. You can take a scenic seaplane flight over the city, or use it as a neat way to get to another destination.
There are tons of Vancouver seaplane tours, so we’ve narrowed down the absolute best ones below!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour

Don’t have time to read the full article?
You can’t go wrong booking this scenic 20-minute flight over Vancouver and the surrounding area! See iconic landmarks, mountains, and the harbor from above.
This tour is VERY popular and you can check out the 900+ reviews and book right here.
Tip: Reserve this tour early to guarantee your spot and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- The BEST Vancouver Seaplane Tours
- Do you need to book your seaplane ride in advance?
- Is a seaplane tour in Vancouver worth it?
- Other Things to do while you're in Vancouver
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Where to Stay in Vancouver, Canada
- Renting a Car in British Columbia
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
The BEST Vancouver Seaplane Tours
1. 20-minute Scenic Flight


If you’re short on time and only in Vancouver for a couple of days or are exploring on a budget, this 20-minute scenic seaplane tour is the perfect option!
We loved the aerial views of the city’s beautiful skyline, Pacific Ocean, and mountain peaks in the distance. Seeing the city’s iconic landmarks such as Canada Place, the Lions Gate Bridge, and Granville Island from the sky was such a unique perspective that gave us more appreciation for this sprawling city.
While 20 minutes may not seem like long, it actually felt longer once we were up in the air. We didn’t feel rushed and the spectacular views the entire time were well worth it. Plus, it was the first time I had taken off and landed on the water, which was actually so neat and not scary at all!
Flights run throughout the day for $186 CAD.
Read the hundreds of 5-star reviews and secure your spot here!
2. 45-minute Scenic Flight

If you want to spend longer in the air and see even more of Vancouver, then this 45-minute tour is a great option for you!
Not only will you see Vancouver from the sky, but you’ll also fly over the Coast Mountains to witness the backcountry beauty of British Columbia.
The best part of this tour, in my opinion, was flying over Howe Sound. This is a stunning network of fjords and islands that have been named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and are best appreciated from the air!
We think this tour is a great option if you don’t have long to spend in Vancouver and want to see as much as possible. For the bucket list experience you get, the price is quite reasonable at $268 CAD.
Book your extended scenic flight here and you can pay later!
3. Vancouver to Victoria One-Way Flight

If your next stop after Vancouver is Victoria, then why not take a seaplane to get there?
This one-way flight takes just over half an hour and will take you all the way to Victoria! The best part is that you’ll get to see some incredible scenery on the way, including Stanley Park, the Gulf Islands, and British Columbia’s parliament buildings. It’s the perfect way to both bid farewell to Vancouver and say hello to Victoria.
Driving to Victoria takes around 4 hours with traffic and the ferry crossing. That’s time that could be spent enjoying Victoria instead! That’s why we think this seaplane tour is the perfect option for those who want to check out Victoria, but are short on time or don’t want to deal with the hassle of driving there.
For a one-way ticket from Vancouver to Victoria it costs $324 CAD, which includes a baggage allowance of up to 20 lbs (9 kg) per passenger.
If you’d like to take a seaplane flight back from Victoria to Vancouver as well, it costs $308 CAD and you can book your spot online here.
Click here to book your scenic seaplane flight from Vancouver to Victoria!
Related Read: Once you’re in Victoria, don’t miss the best tours in Victoria including whale watching, world-famous gardens, and castles!
4. Roundtrip Whistler Seaplane Day Trip

Whistler is a charming ski village located north of Vancouver. If you’re short on time but still want to visit, then taking a seaplane is the perfect way to make the most of a Whistler day trip!
This seaplane tour includes a 35-minute seaplane flight to and from Whistler, with around 7 hours of free time in Whistler, so you can explore this charming mountain town as you please! We recommend going on the Peak 2 Peak gondola, hitting up some of the delicious restaurants, or even going ziplining. There is so much to do in Whistler, you won’t be bored I promise!
We love that the company includes a free shuttle into town once you land on the lake in Whistler. They also have bikes available if you’d rather ride into town, which is a nice option on a sunny day.
At $521 CAD, this tour isn’t exactly cheap but if you’ve got room in your budget, it makes for a wonderful day out – plus, taking a seaplane is a million times cooler than driving!
If you’re ready to see Whistler in style, book this full-day tour here!
5. Vancouver to Tofino One-Way Flight

Tofino is a small town located on Vancouver Island’s west coast and it’s famed for its surfer-friendly beaches and wild coastline. If you’re looking to escape the city and immerse yourself in nature, then this seaplane flight is the perfect option.
Honestly, traveling from Vancouver to Tofino can be a huge hassle and requires a lot of organization. But when you cruise over in a float plane, you can sit back and enjoy the view. You’ll fly for about an hour over Stanley Park, the Strait of Georgia, and Pacific Rim National Park before landing in Tofino.
This tour only includes the flight to Tofino, so you’ll need to book your return separately (you can book your return seaplane to Vancouver here). This way, you can choose how long you want to spend in the surfer’s paradise – I’d recommend at least two days to explore all the fun things to do in Tofino!
This one-way seaplane flight from Vancouver to Tofino costs $380 CAD.
Secure your scenic transport to Tofino online in advance here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Related Read: For another top attraction, be sure to visit the Vancouver Aquarium!
Do you need to book your seaplane ride in advance?

If you’re visiting Vancouver in the summer, then you definitely need to reserve your Vancouver floatplane in advance. They book up fast!
The good news is that when you book a tour through Viator, you can change your booking as many times as you want until 24 hours beforehand. You can also cancel and get a full refund. So if your plans do change, you’re covered!
We actually did this multiple times to ensure that we got the best weather when we did our seaplane tour. We originally booked our Vancouver seaplane tour for a Thursday but then changed it twice in order to get a sunny day. And in the end, it was so worth it!
Is a seaplane tour in Vancouver worth it?

Yes, a Vancouver seaplane tour is TOTALLY worth it. It was one of our favorite experiences in the city.
And judging by the number of people doing it, we’re not the only ones who think so!
Vancouver is an absolutely gorgeous city and there’s nothing like soaring over it on a beautiful sunny day. The views are simply stunning and it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
So, what are you waiting for? Book our favorite seaplane tour in Vancouver here now!
Other Things to do while you’re in Vancouver

Vancouver is a city filled with tons of things to do and see. So while you’re here, be sure not to miss some of the top attractions and activities:
- Whale Watching – Whale watching in Vancouver is the singular most popular boat tour in the city. Set off from the city on a half-day on the ocean looking for whales. If you’re lucky, you might even see Orcas (also known as Killer Whales.) This whale-watching tour is a ton of fun and the best-rated (with 4,000+ reviews!) – we loved it!
- Hiking – There are a ton of amazing hikes in and around Vancouver. Challenge yourself with the famous Grouse Grind, wander the trails near the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, or even drive towards Squamish and do The Chief.
- Eat ALL the food! – Vancouver is a foodie destination. Showcasing cuisine from all around the world in top-rated restaurants, you need to make an effort to eat out a few times. For breakfast, Jam Cafe or Medina are our go-to’s. For Asian cuisine, you can’t pass up Minami for sushi or Danbo for Ramen. You can also join this highly-rated food tour that takes you to some of the city’s best restaurants in the area of Gastown.
- Explore Kitsilano – One of our favorite areas in all of Vancouver is Kitsilano. This suburb is super trendy and has many cute stores, cafes, and restaurants that are well worth checking out. On top of that, Kitsilano Beach is one of the best beaches in Vancouver and the perfect place to relax. It’s also our favorite place to watch the sunset.
Where to Stay in Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver is one of the most popular cities in Canada. The fact is that in the summer and winter, the city books up in advance very fast! Booking your hotel or hostel well in advance is the only way to secure the best place to stay for you!
Some great hotels and hostels in Vancouver that we love are:
Hyatt Regency Vancouver – $$$
Can’t decide whether you’d prefer to stay near Stanley Park or Gastown? Well, the Hyatt Regency might just be right for you, as it’s located right between them! Rooms here enjoy gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows that help to bring in light and there is a small fridge, work desk, and toiletries in the bathroom too.
You can also conveniently enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at their beautiful Mosaic Bar and Grill just off the lobby. As you can imagine, it’s a luxury stay in a large hotel chain that is highly reviewed! So if you’re looking to celebrate something special, or just fancy taking your vacation to a whole new level, then staying here will definitely do the trick.
I’ve seen a one-night stay at the Hyatt Regency going as low as $232 CAD per night, although the rooms here on average are more around the $300-$500 CAD mark. So, for the best price, don’t forget to reserve your room in advance.
Times Square Suites – $$
For a beautiful hotel close to Stanley Park, the Times Square Hotel is a fantastic choice! It’s very hard to fault this hotel, and the location really is perfect. The fully equipped kitchens and gas fireplaces are a nice touch in all of the rooms, plus the suites have living rooms and a washer and dryer.
For being pretty affordable, it has a lot of amenities, which is just one of the reasons we love staying here! You can book a room here from $232 CAD per night, but as this is a popular stay, I recommend checking your dates and booking ahead of time to secure your preferred room type!
The Cambie Hostel Gastown – $
The Cambie Hostel is a great budget-friendly hostel that’s located right in the heart of Gastown and close to lots of bars and restaurants and attached to the hostel is a very lively bar too. The rooms are clean, although the bathrooms are a little on the small side (part of the fun when you’re staying cheap, though!).
It’s perfect for backpackers on a budget and is considerably cheaper than others offering comparable quality. A bed in a dorm here starts at around $50 CAD, and you can book a stay here through Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Didn’t find exactly what you’re looking for? Click here to browse all hotels in Vancouver!
For more info on the best areas and hotels, check out my complete guide on where to stay in Vancouver. It breaks down everything you need to know before choosing the right hotel!
Renting a Car in British Columbia

If you’re arriving in British Columbia via plane, then I can’t recommend getting a rental car enough. British Columbia is a large province, and traveling between the best places to visit in BC requires transport. Although you can use public transport on some occasions, this means your trip will not only require more time but more planning.
Car rental in Canada isn’t relatively cheap, but it’s not that expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. The cheapest car with a pick-up and drop-off in different locations is around $100 CAD per day. The price does vary though, depending on the time of year. For car rentals, I use the website Discover Cars. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used Discover Cars all over the world, including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
Another popular option is to rent a campervan or motorhome (only for the brave in winter). Using Motorhome Republic, you can search hundreds of deals across multiple companies to pick a great vehicle and the cheapest price. Having a motorhome is a stunning way to see Canada and you can often camp for free or very cheap in the most beautiful places imaginable! Read my tips on using Motorhome Republic here before you book!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!

I’m so happy you’re thinking about taking a seaplane while you’re in Vancouver. We loved our flight and it was a whole new perspective on a city we’ve visited many times. Whether you are on vacation or live here, it’s a fun adventure to help you see this beautiful part of the country.
Before you head to Vancouver, be sure to read our other West Coast blogs for more ideas and in-depth guides. You’ll find lots of tips and tricks to discover new places in this incredible part of the country.
13 Things to KNOW Before Visiting Cathedral Grove, Vancouver Island
17 Fun Things to do on Granville Island, Vancouver & Guide to Visiting
15 Things to KNOW about Visiting Lynn Canyon in Vancouver
22 BEST Places to Visit in BC, Canada – British Columbia Destinations