Gulf Island Seaplanes
Seaplanefrom $147.66
Gulf Island Seaplanes suits travellers who want an Indigenous-owned airline for a seaplane hop from YVR to Gabriola Island, and its Vancouver scenic flights have no published price yet. It flies all year from the floatplane terminal at 4640 Inglis Drive near YVR's South Terminal, with one-way adult fares to Silva Bay from $147.66 including taxes and fees.
Photo Gulf Island Seaplanes · From their own site
What they offer
| Offering | From | Duration | Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Vista scenic flightCity, mountain and ocean views from YVR. Details were still to come in October 2026. | – | 30 minutes | – |
| Vancouver Vista Plus scenic flightA longer version of Vancouver Vista. | – | 45 minutes | – |
| Scheduled flight, YVR to Silva Bay, Gabriola IslandSeniors get 10% off on the Silva Bay and Maple Bay routes when the flight isn't full. | $147.66 per adult | – | Year-round |
| Scheduled flight, YVR to Hornby Island | $279.07 per adult | – | Seasonal |
Gulf Island Seaplanes says it is proud to be an Indigenous-owned company, and its co-owner Alison Evans is from Hagwilget Village First Nation. She and Sean started the airline after the owner of Tofino Air sold the Gabriola Island to YVR route. On its home page the company describes itself as the only Indigenous-owned seaplane company on the West Coast.
The Vancouver end of every flight is the floatplane terminal at 4640 Inglis Drive, near the airport's South Terminal in Richmond. Arrive 20 minutes before departure, and the pilot checks you in. Park in the Bell Irving Street lot or one of the two Cowley Crescent lots and pay with the PayByPhone app, because the Seair Seaplanes lot is off limits. Each passenger may bring 25 lb of baggage, and extra weight costs $0.75 a pound plus GST.
Scheduled flights link YVR with Silva Bay on Gabriola, Maple Bay, DeCourcy and Thetis all year, and with Hornby Island in season. The experiences page names two scenic flights from YVR. Vancouver Vista lasts 30 minutes and Vancouver Vista Plus 45 minutes, and the page says more details are coming. Every flight depends on the weather, and a flight cancelled for weather costs you nothing.
Worth knowing
- Download the PayByPhone app before you drive to the terminal, because all three parking lots use it.
- Pack light, since each passenger's allowance is 25 lb and extra weight isn't guaranteed a seat on the same flight.
Quick answers about Gulf Island Seaplanes
Is Gulf Island Seaplanes Indigenous-owned?
Yes. Gulf Island Seaplanes says it is an Indigenous-owned company, and its co-owner Alison Evans is from Hagwilget Village First Nation.
Where does Gulf Island Seaplanes leave from in Vancouver?
Gulf Island Seaplanes flies from the YVR floatplane terminal at 4640 Inglis Drive in Richmond, near the South Terminal of Vancouver International Airport.
Does Gulf Island Seaplanes fly in winter?
Yes. Gulf Island Seaplanes runs its scheduled service between YVR and Gabriola Island all year, and every flight depends on the weather.
How much does Gulf Island Seaplanes charge?
Gulf Island Seaplanes lists Scheduled flight, YVR to Silva Bay, Gabriola Island from $147.66 per adult (2026).
Is Gulf Island Seaplanes open out of season?
Gulf Island Seaplanes: Gulf Island Seaplanes flies all year, and fog, snow and strong wind are the usual reasons a flight waits or cancels.