Harbour Air flies from two seaplane terminals in the Vancouver area: one downtown in Coal Harbour, and one beside Vancouver International Airport in Richmond. They serve some of the same destinations but are in different cities, and turning up at the wrong one is the most avoidable mistake a seaplane passenger can make.
Short answer: if you are staying downtown or arriving by cruise ship, look at the Coal Harbour terminal first. If you are connecting from a flight at YVR, or staying in Richmond or south of the city, look at YVR South. Always match the terminal name on your booking.
Side by side
| Vancouver Harbour (Coal Harbour) | YVR South seaplane terminal (Richmond) | |
|---|---|---|
| Address | Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre, Unit #1 Burrard Landing, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver | 4760 Inglis Drive, Richmond |
| Setting | Downtown waterfront, next to Canada Place and the Vancouver Convention Centre | On the Fraser River, beside YVR's South Terminal area |
| Year-round scheduled destinations (2026 guide) | Victoria Harbour, Nanaimo Harbour, Salt Spring (Ganges) | Victoria Harbour, Nanaimo Harbour, Salt Spring (Ganges) |
| Scenic tours | Vancouver scenic tours depart here | Check the tours page |
| Suits | Downtown hotels, cruise passengers, Canada Place area | Travellers connecting at YVR, Richmond and south-of-city stays |
| On-site | Passenger lounge, gift shop and café | Next to a restaurant; complimentary airport shuttle |
Seasonal destinations change by year and by terminal. Check Harbour Air's route information for your dates.
Is YVR South the main airport terminal?
No. This is the most common confusion. Vancouver International Airport has a large Main Terminal (domestic and international) and a smaller South Terminal. Harbour Air's YVR South seaplane terminal is a separate building on the river at 4760 Inglis Drive.
To add to the confusion, Harbour Air has used a second Richmond location for wheeled (land-plane) flights to Victoria International Airport: the YVR South Terminal building at 4440 Cowley Crescent. Harbour Air's own directions note that the two are different places. Those wheeled flights operated from October 27, 2025 to March 27, 2026; future dates had not been published when we checked.
Getting to YVR South from the main airport
Harbour Air says it runs a complimentary shuttle seven days a week between the seaplane terminal and YVR's Main Terminal, departing about 10 minutes after seaplane arrivals for the trip into the airport. For the trip out to the seaplane terminal, Harbour Air's help centre points to:
- YVR's free South Terminal shuttle, with a stop a short walk from the seaplane base
- A taxi, which it estimated at about $24 and 15 minutes depending on traffic
- TransLink bus 412 between the terminal area and Bridgeport Station
How much transfer time should I allow?
We don't publish a fixed connection buffer, because it depends on whether your incoming flight is on time, whether you have checked bags, and whether you are clearing customs. Work out: your scheduled arrival, plus time to deplane and collect bags, plus the shuttle or taxi, plus the seaplane check-in cut-off (15–20 minutes before departure for Harbour Air domestic float fares, with 40 minutes recommended). Then add a margin you are comfortable with. On separate tickets, a missed connection is your responsibility, so a generous buffer or a later seaplane is the safer choice.
Getting to Coal Harbour
The downtown terminal is beside the seawall at the western edge of Canada Place. From most downtown hotels it is a walk or a short taxi ride. Waterfront Station, the hub for SkyTrain, SeaBus and the West Coast Express, is nearby. Note that the Hullo passenger ferry to Nanaimo also uses the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre, so follow signs for your operator.
Which terminal is near Canada Place?
The Coal Harbour terminal, at 1055 Canada Place. If you are disembarking a cruise, check your ship's own timing and luggage arrangements before booking a flight; see things to do near Canada Place.
Check-in location
Check in at the terminal building named on your booking, not on the dock. At Harbour Air float terminals, the recommended arrival time is at least 40 minutes before departure, and you must be fully checked in 15 or 20 minutes before departure depending on your fare. Scenic tours have a 20-minute cut-off. See your first Harbour Air flight.
Where to next
Directions and terminal hours. Harbour Air terminal information · YVR flight directions from Harbour Air (opens Harbour Air's site)
FAQs
Can I walk from my airline gate to the seaplane? No. Use the shuttle, a taxi or transit.
Do both terminals fly to Victoria? Harbour Air's 2026 route guide lists year-round Victoria Harbour flights from both.
What if my return lands at a different terminal from my outbound? That is possible. Save both addresses and plan the ground transport for each.
Sources
- Harbour Air Vancouver Harbour terminal (address, amenities)
- Harbour Air YVR flight directions (two Richmond locations; 4760 Inglis Dr vs 4440 Cowley Cres)
- Harbour Air YVR South (river) location
- Harbour Air help centre, shuttle from Richmond seaplane base (departs ~10 min after arrival)
- Harbour Air help centre, shuttle from YVR (South Terminal shuttle; taxi ~$24, 15 min)
- Harbour Air courtesy shuttles (bus 412 to Bridgeport)
- Harbour Air routes guide 2026
- Harbour Air check-in times
- YVR courtesy shuttles
- Hullo (Vancouver terminal at the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre)