Gulf Island Seaplanes: Connecting Coastal Communities One Flight at a Time
A flight with Gulf Island Seaplanes is more than transportation, it's a spectacular journey across BC's coastal islands and the Georgia Strait.
Karalee Greer
Karalee Greer | Vancouver City News | June 4, 2026
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For many travellers, getting to British Columbia's Gulf Islands means navigating ferry schedules, traffic, and lengthy travel times. For others, the journey itself becomes part of the adventure.
That is the experience I had this week flying with Gulf Island Seaplanes, a Vancouver Island-based airline that has spent decades connecting coastal communities across the Georgia Strait, also referred to as the Salish Sea.
Operating from locations including Nanaimo, Gabriola Island, Silva Bay, Maple Bay, and Vancouver's South Terminal Seaplane Base, Gulf Island Seaplanes provides an alternative way to reach some of British Columbia's most scenic destinations.
Founded in 1985 by Captain Kevin Smith, the company began with a single floatplane serving the Gulf Islands. Over the years, it has grown into a regional airline connecting Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the Lower Mainland while maintaining a strong focus on customer service and community connections.
The company's story is one rooted in the realities of coastal British Columbia, where waterways often provide the fastest and most practical transportation routes between communities.
My recent flight from the YVR South Seaplane Terminal on the Fraser River to Silva Bay on Gabriola Island offered a firsthand look at why many travellers choose the seaplane experience. Unlike a traditional airport journey, I could arrive up to 20 minutes before departure time. My pilot, Joe, greeted me and weighed my bags on the scale next to the reception desk.
I was quickly immersed in an aviation experience that felt both personal and distinctly West Coast as Joe escorted us down the ramp to the plane. He loaded the luggage into the storage area and gave us our safety instructions as we clipped on our seatbelts alk the while floating on the Fraser River.
Shortly after takeoff, the urban landscape of Metro Vancouver gave way to a spectacular panorama of coastline, islands, forests, and open water. The route crossed the Strait of Georgia, offering views that few travellers experience from the ground.
Adding to the experience was an unexpected wildlife encounter.
During the flight, our pilot, Joe, spotted humpback whales and with conditions permitting, he circled the area, giving us an opportunity to safely observe the whales from above before continuing the journey to Gabriola Island. What a delight!
It was one of those uniquely British Columbia moments that transforms a simple trip into a memorable experience.
The company places considerable emphasis on safety, local knowledge, and customer service. Pilots are not only highly trained aviators but also experienced coastal navigators familiar with the weather patterns and waterways that define the region.
For island residents, Gulf Island Seaplanes provides an important transportation link. For visitors, it offers a faster and often more scenic alternative to traditional travel routes.
Tourism continues to play an important role in many Gulf Island communities, and transportation providers such as Gulf Island Seaplanes help support local businesses, accommodations, restaurants, and attractions by making the islands more accessible.
As interest in experiential travel continues to grow, the appeal of seaplane travel remains strong. Rather than simply getting from one destination to another, passengers become part of the landscape itself, experiencing the coast from a perspective few people ever see.
In a province known for its mountains, islands, and waterways, Gulf Island Seaplanes continues to provide a uniquely British Columbian way to travel, one that combines convenience, community connection, and unforgettable views.
For more information about routes, schedules, and the company's history, visit:
https://gulfislandseaplanes.com/
Karalee Greer
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karalee/
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