Getting Here: How to Fly to the Southern Gulf Islands
Did you know you can get to the Southern Gulf Islands in just 30 minutes and avoid the stress of ferry traffic and long waits?
Scheduled daily floatplane service is available from Vancouver to Salt Spring, with additional flights to Pender, Galiano, Mayne, and Saturna Island during the busy summer months. Not to mention the endless possibilities offered by the many local charter services.
Flying to Salt Spring and the rest of the islands is a memorable, convenient, and surprisingly affordable alternative to the long ferry ride (especially during the off-season).
If you’re looking for a new way to reach the islands (or just want to skip the ferry congestion), here’s everything you need to know about flying to the Southern Gulf Islands.
Who flies to the Southern Gulf Islands?
With no public airport, you won’t find the typical Canadian airlines like Air Canada or WestJet landing on the Southern Gulf Islands. Instead, the airlines that fly to the likes of Salt Spring or Pender come in the floatplane variety.
Scheduled Flights
At the time of writing, two companies offer regular service to one or more Southern Gulf Islands. This means daily or weekly flights, which you share with others, and which can be booked online:
Charter Options
There are also a handful of companies offering private charter services here. It’s the perfect option if the regularly scheduled flight times and destinations don’t work for you, if you’re traveling with a group, or if you prefer the discretion of having a flight all to yourself.
Flight Times & Schedules for the Southern Gulf Islands
To get the most accurate flight times for your next Gulf Island adventure, check the current schedules posted by Harbour Air and SeaAir. These are the only two companies offering scheduled services.
And remember, these routes are prone to change, especially with the seasons. More daily flights (and destinations) are added during the busy summer months.
At the time of writing:
- Harbour Air offers daily scheduled flights from Richmond (near YVR) and downtown Vancouver to Salt Spring Island.
- SeaAir offers daily flights from Richmond (YVR) and downtown Vancouver to Salt Spring, with possible scheduled trips during the busy season from Richmond (YVR) to Galiano, Mayne, Saturna, Pender, and Thetis (contact them for more information).
Again, if you don’t see a scheduled flight that works with your trip plans, don’t hesitate to reach out to the operator to book a charter service at a time that works for you.
Arriving from Further Afield? Airports near the Southern Gulf Islands
For anyone who’s flying here from outside the area, the first leg of your trip will arrive at one of the larger regional airports.
Once you’ve landed, you’ll still need to make your way to the nearest ferry or floatplane terminal to make the rest of the way here.
Nanaimo (YCD)
Located mid-Vancouver Island, this is closest to Salt Spring Island. You’ll need to catch the Crofton-Vesuvius ferry (multiple sailings daily) or book a chartered float plane to your final destination.
Vancouver (YVR)
Located in Richmond, this is the largest airport in British Columbia with global service. From here, it’s a quick 10-minute trip to the nearby SeaAir and Harbour Air floatplane terminals, with Harbour Air offering a free shuttle from the terminal. From there, you can fly direct with scheduled or charter flights to all of the Southern Gulf Islands.
Victoria (YYJ)
The Victoria International Airport is on Vancouver Island. From here, you will need to make your way to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal to catch a ferry to your destination, or a Vancouver-Island-based floatplane terminal for a privately chartered flight.
Never taken a floatplane before? Here’s what to expect:
Taking off from the busy downtown Vancouver terminal to watch the island’s topography unfold before you, before splashing down in Ganges Harbour, feels like such an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
And in many ways, flying on a floatplane does feel different from a conventional airline flight, from the check-in process to the in-flight experience.
Rapid, Low-Barrier Check-Ins
You won’t have to arrive for check-in two to four hours before takeoff, like at a regular terminal. Instead, most floatplane operators recommend arriving just 45 minutes before your scheduled departure. You’ll need your ticket, your ID, and luggage, and there’s no need to dump your liquids. Check your ticket in advance for specific instructions.
Friendly, Local Service
From the check-in staff to the pilot, the type of customer service you’ll experience on board a local seaplane is almost unheard of in this day and age.
Think: free refreshments in the waiting lounge, conversations with the pilot, and staff happy to offer local recommendations. Chances are, you’ll even have a great conversation with your fellow passengers.
Incredible Aerial Views
Taking a floatplane means you’re usually flying under the clouds and close enough to the ground to pick out details you wouldn’t usually get to experience from the stratosphere. The topography from up here is unforgettable, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of JPod, the local orca group, hunting the Salish Sea.
Weather Cancellations
From floatplanes to jumbo jets, all flights are prone to cancellations due to inclement weather. But if you travel enough on a floatplane, you’ll find they are particularly precautionary.
While rainy weather doesn’t necessarily mean a cancellation, high winds and poor visibility (fog) may delay or cancel your service. Each operator has its own cancellation policy, but they are generally quite generous (priority rescheduling, a full refund, or a credit).
Turbulence
Yes, a smaller plane flying at a lower altitude means a bit more bounce during the flight than you might experience on a larger aircraft. While a bit unnerving for the uninitiated, this is all part of the adventure of taking a seaplane. Floatplane pilots and the dock staff are trained to navigate these skies and waters, and operators will always make the right call if the weather conditions make it unsafe to fly.
Luggage Allowances
Another fun fact about seaplanes is that luggage allowances are almost entirely based on weight. Check your ticket and pack accordingly! For example, Harbour Air’s cheapest tickets include just 10lbs per person. But generally, operators offer the option to pay for overweight luggage at a reasonable rate (subject to availability).
A faster connection to your Southern Gulf Islands Adventure
Flying to the Southern Gulf Islands is the most convenient way to kick off your island getaway. Whether you’re here for a quick weekend escape or a longer island retreat, floatplane travel offers a memorable and easy way to begin your next adventure.
