Where can you fly from Richmond? Every Harbour Air destination from YVR South

Harbour Air flies scheduled seaplanes from its Richmond (YVR South) terminal to five BC destinations: Victoria, Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island, Sechelt, and Tofino. The terminal sits on the Fraser River right beside Vancouver International Airport, with a free shuttle to YVR's main terminal, so you can connect straight from an international flight to a seaplane without heading downtown. 

If you're starting your trip in Richmond, you're starting in the right place. Harbour Air's Richmond (YVR South) base sits right beside Vancouver International Airport, which means you can step off a long-haul flight and onto a seaplane without ever fighting your way downtown. From here, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast are all a short hop away.

A complimentary daily shuttle connects our seaplane terminal with YVR's main international terminal, so getting to us is the easy part.

Here's everywhere Harbour Air can take you from Richmond.

Where we fly from Richmond (YVR South)

Victoria Harbour

What's the fastest way to get from Richmond to Victoria?

Harbour Air's seaplane takes you from the Fraser River straight into the Inner Harbour in 35 minutes. In fall and winter, our wheeled flights connect YVR South Terminal to Victoria International in 30 minutes. BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay is the slow route: a 95-minute sailing, plus the drive to the terminal, the wait to board, and the 30-minute drive from Swartz Bay into Victoria. Door to door from Richmond, flying wins by hours.

Nanaimo Harbour

How long is the flight from Richmond to Nanaimo?

A Harbour Air seaplane gets you from Richmond to Nanaimo in about 20 minutes. It's the fastest way to get from Richmond to Nanaimo, full stop, and you'll touch down right in Nanaimo's downtown harbour.

Compare that to your other options. BC Ferries from Tsawwassen means driving to the terminal, arriving early, a roughly two-hour crossing, then getting from Duke Point into town. From Richmond, our seaplane is direct. No terminal lineups, no crossing, no detour downtown. Check in 40 minutes before your flight and you're in Nanaimo before the ferry has left the dock.

Salt Spring Island

How do I fly to Salt Spring Island from Richmond?

A Harbour Air seaplane gets you from Richmond to Salt Spring Island in about 20 minutes, flying directly into Ganges Harbour, the heart of the island. Artisan markets, seaside dining, studio tours: it's all within walking distance of the dock. A Gulf Islands getaway that starts the moment you take off.

Sechelt

How do I get to the Sunshine Coast from Richmond without the ferry?

A Harbour Air seaplane gets you to the Sunshine Coast without the ferry, about 20 minutes on a direct flight. Fly from Richmond straight into Porpoise Bay, right beside the Lighthouse Pub and a short stroll from downtown Sechelt. Beaches, trails, and coastal small-town charm, minutes after takeoff.

Tofino Harbour

Can I fly from Richmond to Tofino?

In the summer season, Harbour Air flies from Richmond straight to Tofino's harbour on the Island's wild west coast. Surf breaks, old-growth trails and Pacific storm-watching, with no ferry crossing and no long drive across the Island.

Which routes run year-round, and which are seasonal?

Most Richmond (YVR South) routes operate year-round. The Tofino route runs in the summer season, and wheeled flights to Victoria International run in fall and winter.

Can I fly from Richmond to downtown Vancouver?

Harbour Air's Richmond (YVR South) base is a departure point for Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast rather than a route into downtown Vancouver. If you're heading to downtown Vancouver Harbour, hop on our complimentary daily shuttle. It connects the Richmond terminal to YVR's main international terminal and the Canada Line SkyTrain station, a quick, easy ride straight into the downtown core.

Why fly from Richmond?

Connecting from an international flight? Our seaplane terminal is minutes from YVR's main terminal by complimentary shuttle. Coming from Richmond, Tsawwassen, or South Vancouver? You skip the drive downtown entirely. Either way, you trade highways, ferry terminals, and waiting rooms for a takeoff from the Fraser River and some of the best views in BC.

Free parking, the Flying Beaver next door for a pre-flight bite, and a schedule built around real travel days. It all adds up to the same thing: less time getting there, more time being there.

Ready to go? Book your flight today.

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