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

If you're starting your trip in Richmond, you're starting in the right place. Our 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

Our 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

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

Fly directly into Ganges Harbour, the heart of Salt Spring 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

The Sunshine Coast without the ferry. 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.

Powell River

Skip the two-ferry haul up the Sunshine Coast. Our direct flight from Richmond gets you to Powell River in a fraction of the time, with coastline views the whole way. What used to be a full travel day is now just a quick flight.

Tofino Harbour 

In the summer season, fly 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.

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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Frequently asked questions

Where is the Harbour Air terminal in Richmond? 

Our Richmond (YVR South) Seaplane Terminal is at 4760 Inglis Drive, Richmond, BC, on the Fraser River near Vancouver International Airport's South Terminal.

What destinations does Harbour Air fly to from Richmond? 

From Richmond (YVR South), Harbour Air offers scheduled seaplane flights to Victoria Harbour, Nanaimo Harbour, Salt Spring Island (Ganges), Sechelt, Powell River, and Tofino Harbour. 

How do I get from YVR's main terminal to the Harbour Air seaplane terminal? 

A complimentary daily shuttle runs between our seaplane terminal and YVR's main international terminal.

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

A Harbour Air seaplane from Richmond (YVR South) directly to Victoria's Inner Harbour, taking about 35 minutes. This is significantly faster door to door than BC Ferries, which requires a 95-minute crossing plus travel to and from the terminals.

How long is the flight from Richmond to Nanaimo? 

About 20 minutes, landing right in downtown Nanaimo's harbour.

How can I get from Richmond to Nanaimo quickly? 

The fastest option is a Harbour Air seaplane from Richmond (YVR South) directly to Nanaimo Harbour, which takes about 20 minutes. The alternative would be BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to Duke Point (a roughly two-hour crossing, plus driving and terminal time on both ends). Door to door from Richmond, the seaplane is the quickest choice.

Can I connect from an international flight to a Harbour Air flight? 

Yes. Our Richmond base sits beside YVR, making it a convenient connection point for travelers arriving on international or domestic flights.