From Vancouver: Day Trip in Whistler by Seaplane

About This Experience

Harbour Air flies you from Vancouver to Whistler and back on the same day, trading the drive up Highway 99 for about 45 minutes in a seaplane each way. Both flights are bundled into one booking, so there is nothing to arrange for the return. Leaving Vancouver you climb over the Lions Gate Bridge and the city's coastline, then follow the Coast Mountains north over the forests that surround Whistler.

The plane lands on Green Lake, the glacial-fed turquoise lake a short distance from the Whistler and Blackcomb resorts, just north of the village. A free shuttle bus runs you from the lake to the heart of Whistler Village in about 15 minutes, then brings you back to the lake in time for the return flight. No car, parking or bus ticket is needed once you land in Whistler.

The day in Whistler is self-guided. Hike, rent a bike, shop or sit on a patio; nothing is scheduled between the two flights, and the trip lasts about 8 hours from start to finish. Meals and any activities are yours to arrange and pay for, and there is no guide on the ground, so it suits travelers who already know what they want to do in Whistler or are happy to wander.

At the end of the day the shuttle takes you back to Green Lake for a safety briefing and the flight home to Harbour Air's terminal in Vancouver. Plan the start carefully: arrive at the terminal at least 40 minutes before departure and check in no later than 20 minutes before, or you cannot board and the fare is not refunded. Passengers 18 and over need government-issued ID.

Highlights

• Take off over the Lions Gate Bridge and Vancouver's coastline
• Coast Mountains and forest from the air, with no highway traffic
• Land on turquoise, glacial-fed Green Lake near Whistler and Blackcomb
• A full self-guided day for hiking, biking, shopping or relaxing
• The Vancouver–Whistler route seen from above, in both directions

What's Included

• ✓ Round-trip seaplane flights between Vancouver and Whistler
• ✓ Shuttle bus between Green Lake and Whistler Village, about 15 minutes each way
• ✓ Safety briefing before the flight
• ✓ Child fare for children aged 2 to 11
• ✓ Full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead

Not Included

• Parking at the terminal
• Meals
• Activities in Whistler (the day is self-guided)

What to Bring

• Passport or government-issued photo ID
• A warm layer for Whistler
• Camera for the flight
• Money for meals and activities

Good to Know & Caveats

• The day lasts about 8 hours, with roughly 40 to 45 minutes in the air each way.
• Passengers 18 and older need one valid government-issued photo ID, or two pieces of government ID without a photo.
• Arrive at the terminal at least 40 minutes before departure and finish check-in 20 minutes before. If you miss the check-in cutoff you cannot board and the fare is not refunded.
• All passengers must be able to move independently. Mobility aids can be used to reach the aircraft, but you must board and leave it with little or no assistance.
• The child fare applies to children aged 2 to 11 on the day of departure.
• The listing does not state an operating season; check the booking calendar for your date.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Meeting Point

Check in at Harbour Air's terminal in Vancouver at least 40 minutes before departure. There is no hotel pickup, and terminal parking is not included.