7 Best Seaplane Tours in Victoria, BC A Local’s Guide
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Are you looking for some exciting adventures in Victoria, Canada?
You’ve come to the right place, as these are the best seaplane tours in Victoria, BC.
Victoria, BC is my hometown, and is a gorgeous place to spend a day, a weekend or a month. One of the most thrilling ways to experience the city and its beauty is from above on a seaplane ride.
The views of Victoria are inspiring from the snow capped Olympic Mountains in the distance, to the capital cityscape and vibrant Inner Harbour. Not to mention the Strait of Juan de Fuca coastline.
It’s a memorable experience you won’t forget. Capture the city’s panoramic beauty in your memory and camera roll alike.
With so many choices of Victoria Seaplane Tours, it can be hard to know which one to pick.
These recommendations will help!
I’ve put together a list of your 7 best options for Victoria Seaplane Tours around Victoria, including sightseeing tours from Vancouver that also include Butchart Gardens or Whale Watching. Plus even a helicopter tour idea.
Ready for an adventure? Let’s go!
Top 3 Picks: Best Seaplane Tours Victoria
#1 TOP PICK
SEAPLANE TOUR
✔️ 20 min in air
✔️ Epic views: city, & coastline
✔️ Small group (5 max)
#2 PICK
EXTENDED SEAPLANE TOUR
✔️ 30 min in air
✔️ Everyone gets a window seat
✔️ Shuttle back to hotel
#3 PICK
VICTORIA TO VANCOUVER SEAPLANE
✔️ 35 min of thrilling views
✔️ Leaves daily, each hour
✔️ Lands close to Vancouver attractions
Top 7 Best Victoria Seaplane Tours
Victoria is a wonderful destination for families, couples, friends and solo adventurers.
Whether your planning on spending a long weekend in Victoria, a day trip or longer, adding a seaplane tour will be a thrilling thing to do.
1. Victoria Panorama Seaplane Tour
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 30 min | ✅ Book it!
This Victoria Seaplane Tour will have you soaring over downtown Victoria, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and into your memories forever.
With 20 minutes in the air, this thrilling ride will give you plenty of photo opportunities. If you’re lucky, you may even get to see a pod of killer whales or humpback whales.
⭐️ “What a view. Excellent flight. Definitely going to recommend this to my friends and relatives.”
– ATUL ⭐️ Victoria Seaplane Tour review ⭐️
Best part, everybody gets a window seat!
This tour is great value for your money.
Note: As there’s a high volume of traffic in this busy port, the pilots are not able to provide commentary, as they must stay in contact with the Air Traffic Control at all times.
When travellling with children, infants must sit on your lap. Sea plane tours are also one of the many activities in Victoria in winter you can do.
BEST FOR: Epic Photo Ops (& all ages)!
Leaves from: Inner Harbour Victoria, BC Canada
Size: Max 5 passengers per plane
Wheelchair Accessible: No
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR
2. Victoria: Extended Panoramic Tour by Seaplane
⭐️ RATING: 4.9/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 45 min | ✅ Book it!
This Extended Panoramic Tour by Seaplane from Victoria, Canada is one the the most stunning and unforgettable experiences. Which is why it is the best seaplane tour in Victoria, BC (and the most popular).
Hop aboard at their Inner Harbour Victoria Seaplane Terminal, and you’ll soon be soaring over the Juan de Fuca Strait.
⭐️ “The views from this flight were excellent and memorable. Everyone gets excellent views coming and going. We even saw whales.”
– Tony ⭐️ Extended Panoramic Seaplane Tour review ⭐️
During your 30 minute flight you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of Victoria’s picturesque landscapes and the rugged grandeur of the Olympic Mountains in the distance.
And if luck is on your side, you may even spot majestic killer whales breaching the surface of the Pacific.
They’ll even drive you you back to your hotel on their shuttle bus after your adventure.
Note: Due to the high volume of traffic in this busy port, the pilots are not able to provide commentary, as they must stay in contact with the Air Traffic Control.
This epic seaplane tour is for up to 5 people and children under 2 years fly free.
BEST FOR: All Ages!
Leaves from: Inner Harbour, Victoria, BC
Size: Max 5 passengers
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR
3. Victoria to Vancouver Seaplane Flight
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ✅ Book it!
This Victoria to Vancouver Seaplane Flight is the best of both worlds. Amazing aerial views of downtown Victoria & Vancouver, the Empress Hotel, Gulf Islands, Stanley Park and so much more.
If Victoria and Vancouver are on your bucket list, then this seaplane tour is for you!
Hop aboard your seaplane in Victoria’s Inner Harbour for this thrilling 35 minute ride over the Salish Sea to Coal Harbour, Vancouver, near Canada Place.
⭐️ “The best experience ever! Great pilots flying. First time for our kids and they loved it! Would do it again.”
– Wallace ⭐️ Victoria to Vancouver Seaplane Flight review ⭐️
With their super flexible schedule year round (leaving daily every hour from morning to evening), picking your time will be easy.
BEST FOR: Victoria & Vancouver Bucket list adventures!
Leaves from: Inner Harbour, Victoria
Size: Max 14 passengers
Wheelchair Accessible: No
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR
4. Victoria Tour by Helicopter and Seaplane
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours | ✅ Book it!
This Vancouver to Victoria Tour by Helicopter and Seaplane is the perfect way to spend a day in Victoria. Don’t waste your time in transit, or in ferry lineups.
Start your day by being picked up from your Vancouver hotel and get whisked away to the lounge and helipad.
Grab some complimentary snacks and coffee in the comfortable lounge, while you wait for your flight.
Enjoy amazing views of Vancouver, the coast, Gulf Islands, and the Straight of Georgia on your way over to Victoria from the helicopter. Before arriving downtown, right within walking distance of all the action.
⭐️ “The view was amazing and so worth the trip over and the staff was very helpful and the service was top notched. Would go again.”
– RUSSELL ⭐️ Victoria Helicopter and Seaplane Tour review ⭐️
You’ll have about 6.5 hours to tour the city, Butchart Gardens, Parliament Buildings, and Inner Harbour, before flying back to Vancouver by seaplane.
Make sure to bring a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking all day.
After a long day, sit back and relax as you are dropped back off at your hotel.
If you are travelling with kids, infants must sit on your lap.
BEST FOR: Quick & easy Victoria day trip!
Leaves from: Your hotel in Vancouver, BC
Size: Max 14 passengers
Wheelchair Accessible: No
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR
Victoria Seaplane Tours from Vancouver
In addition to Seaplane Tours over Victoria, there are a number of fun tours from Vancouver.
Many of which include a seaplane ride over the Georgia Strait, and then access to the most popular tourist attractions in Victoria like Butchart Gardens and whale watching.
While Victoria can be done on a day if you are tight on time, we recommend at least a 3 day Victoria vacation, to really see what this area is all about.
Longer if you have it, as there are many amazing day trips from Victoria you can take for hiking, attractions, gigantic trees, sweet islands and more.
5. Seaplane Flight to Victoria and Whale Watching Cruise
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 10 hours | ✅ Book it!
If you are looking for an awe-inspiring tour then this seaplane flight to Victoria and whale watching tour is the perfect choice for you.
A once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the thrill of flying in a seaplane over the Salish Sea, and getting up close to the magnificent orca and humpback whales.
While it is possible to see whales any time of year (how cool is that!), the best time to see them is from May into October.
On the day of your tour, check into their Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre in Coal Harbour, 30 minutes before. Then hop aboard the seaplane for an epic adventure.
⭐️ “The whole trip was incredible. Stunning flights and seeing many humpbacks and orcas, including several jumping out of the water was witnessing nature at its very best. Brilliant and knowledgeable crew on the boat made it all the more special!”
– Chris ⭐️ Victoria to Vancouver Flight & Whale watching Cruise review ⭐️
Once in Victoria you’ll be able to go on the whale watching tour you chose. Either in a covered boat (best for families with young kids, and those who get seasick), or a zodiac boat.
You’ll be heading out into Haro Strait for glimpses of orcas, humpbacks, and other marine life such as steller sea lions.
If travelling with kids, the zodiac boat whale watching tour is suitable for kids 6 years+ who are at least 4 feet tall. You will also want to bring your own snacks & water, as they won’t be provided.
BEST FOR: All ages & Adventurous folk!
Leaves from: Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre in Coal Harbour
Size: Max 14 passengers
Wheelchair Accessible: No
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR
6. Seaplane Flight to Victoria with Butchart Gardens Admission
⭐️ RATING: 5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 Day | ✅ Book it!
This easy day trip from Vancouver to Victoria by seaplane and transport with admission to Butchart Gardens is your Victoria bucket list all in one.
Start out your adventure with a 35 minute scenic flight over downtown Vancouver, the Georgia and Juan de Fuca Straits, Empress Hotel and more.
Keep a lookout for whales, and the beautiful islands below.
⭐️ “The flight check in process was simple and efficient. The flight itself was smooth with stunning views of islands. The Butchart Gardens were so colorful and beautiful. Enjoyed the entertaining bus driver’ s stories and highlights of the trip to the Gardens.”
– Wallace ⭐️ Victoria to Vancouver Seaplane & Butchart Gardens review ⭐️
Once you’ve landed in the Inner Harbour, you’ll be invited to take the narrated shuttle ride to Butchart Gardens. Learn about points of interest along the way.
Spend your time visiting the Sunken Garden, eating gelato in the Italian Garden, riding the carousel (not just for kids) and photo ops at the Ross Fountain.
You’ll still have plenty of time to explore Victoria, have tea at the Empress, or wander the oldest Chinatown in North America.
Before hopping an evening plane back to Vancouver, tired & happy at such a fun filled day.
We have a post on all the best ways to get from Vancouver to Butchart Gardens to help you plan your trip.
BEST FOR: Everyone! Check off your Victoria Bucket List in a day.
Leaves from: Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre in Coal Harbour
Size: Max 11 passengers
Wheelchair Accessible: No
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR
7. Victoria Fly ‘n Drive: Full-Day Sightseeing Trip
⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5 Stars | ⏳ TOUR LENGTH: 1 Day | ✅ Book it!
Set off from the bustling Vancouver Harbor, on this Fly ‘n Drive Sightseeing tour.
First embark on a captivating seaplane journey over the tranquil Gulf Islands.
After a scenic 35-minute flight, you’ll touch down in the heart of Victoria’s downtown Inner Harbor. Once there, the remainder of your day is yours (about 6 hours), to discover the rich treasures and natural beauty of British Columbia’s magnificent capital city.
Butchart Gardens, tea at the Empress, take the water taxi tour, and wandering the Inner Harbour watching perfomers, are just a few things you can do. More Victoria activity ideas here.
⭐️ “After a 35-minute seaplane flight, we had more than 6 hours to visit Victoria, a pretty little town. The return by bus and ferry is also scenic and comfortable. Well organized.”
– Regine ⭐️ Vancouver to Victoria Fly ‘n Drive Sightseeing tour review ⭐️
As your adventure draws to a close, you’ll board a coach bus, and head for the 90 min ride on the BC Ferries for your return voyage (total time back is about 4 hours).
Even after riding the BC Ferries hundreds of times, it’s still my favourite way on and off Vancouver Island.
This trip allows you to sail through the stunningly beautiful Active Pass, offering one last visual feast before you find yourself back in Vancouver.
BEST FOR: More budget concious travellers
Leaves from: Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre in Coal Harbour
Size: Max 11 passengers
Wheelchair Accessible: No
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR
Final Thoughts: Seaplane Tours Victoria
Each of theses seven seaplane tours Victoria offers a unique and unforgettable experience for those visiting the west coast of Canada.
Here are some kid friendly hotels in Victoria should you need accommodation too.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, the breathtaking views of the city, the coastline, and the vast expanses of the surrounding natural beauty are something that shouldn’t be missed.
From the soaring Olympic Mountains to the potential sightings of magnificent whales, and wandering the world reknowned Butchart Gardens, these tours provide a truly different perspective on my home town.
Take some time to choose the tour that best fits your schedule and interests, and prepare yourself for an awe-inspiring journey above the beautiful landscapes of Victoria, BC. Safe travels and enjoy the view!
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