CXH · seaplane base

Vancouver Harbour Water Aerodrome

Vancouver, Canada

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CXHseaplane base

Vancouver Harbour Water Aerodrome

Vancouver, Canada

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Routes out

Destinations

CYHC

ICAO

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Elevation

TravelerPulse profile

Downtown Vancouver's scenic harbour seaplane gateway.

Opened

1939

Location

Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver Harbour Water Aerodrome (IATA: CXH, ICAO: CYHC) is a water aerodrome situated on the southern shore of Burrard Inlet in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It serves as a base for scheduled floatplane services connecting Vancouver to destinations across coastal British Columbia, including Victoria, Nanaimo, and the Gulf Islands. The aerodrome is operated by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and functions primarily as a commercial passenger terminal for seaplane operators. Its central location makes it one of the most conveniently situated air terminals in Canada, allowing passengers to walk to hotels, the convention centre, and other downtown amenities. Harbour Air Seaplanes, one of the world's largest all-seaplane airlines, operates the majority of scheduled services from this facility. The aerodrome is also notable for its ambitious sustainability initiatives, including Harbour Air's pioneering efforts to electrify its floatplane fleet.

Terminals

The aerodrome has a compact passenger terminal building on the downtown waterfront with ticketing, waiting areas, and dockside boarding for floatplanes.

Getting to & from

The aerodrome is located steps from downtown Vancouver, accessible by foot, taxi, or public transit with no dedicated airport ground transport required.

Airlines here

Harbour Air Seaplanes is the primary carrier, with Helijet also operating rotary-wing services from the adjacent facility.

Notable facts

›Located adjacent to Canada Place and the Vancouver Convention Centre on Burrard Inlet.
›Harbour Air conducted the world's first electric commercial aircraft test flight using a modified de Havilland Beaver in December 2019.
›The aerodrome handles only floatplanes and amphibious aircraft; there are no conventional runways.
›It is one of the busiest water aerodromes in North America by passenger volume.
›The facility is managed under the jurisdiction of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.

Official website Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Where seaplanes meet the skyline above Vancouver's inner harbour

Vancouver Harbour Water Aerodrome (CXH) is a floating seaplane base situated in the heart of Vancouver's downtown waterfront, offering stunning views of the North Shore mountains and the city skyline. Operated primarily by Harbour Air Seaplanes, it has served as a vital link between Vancouver and communities across British Columbia, the Gulf Islands, and Victoria since the early days of coastal aviation. Its unique setting makes it one of the most scenically dramatic air terminals in North America.

Terminals

Harbour Air Terminal — A compact waterfront terminal serving scheduled and charter seaplane services with check-in, ticketing, and waiting areas.

Ground Transport

Taxi and rideshare pickup along Waterfront Road and Canada Place vicinity
BC Transit and TransLink bus connections near Waterfront Station
SkyTrain (Canada Line, Expo Line, Millennium Line) at Waterfront Station, a short walk away
SeaBus ferry terminal adjacent at Waterfront Station for North Vancouver connections
Car rental agencies available nearby in downtown Vancouver

Nearby Hotels

Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
Pan Pacific Vancouver
Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront
Hyatt Regency Vancouver
Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Dining

The aerodrome itself offers minimal onsite dining, but the surrounding Coal Harbour and Canada Place area is rich with waterfront restaurants, cafés, and casual eateries. Passengers can explore nearby options along the Vancouver Waterfront promenade before or after their flight. The Gastown neighbourhood, a short walk away, offers a wider range of dining from craft breweries to fine dining.

Traveller Tips

Arrive at least 20–30 minutes before departure as seaplane boarding procedures differ from conventional airline check-in.
Luggage allowances on seaplanes are strictly enforced due to weight limits — check Harbour Air's baggage policy in advance.
The seaplane flight to Victoria takes only about 35 minutes and offers spectacular aerial views of the Gulf Islands.
Waterfront Station is the closest transit hub — from there you can connect to SkyTrain, SeaBus, and multiple bus routes across metro Vancouver.

Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (1 destinations)

Airlines serving this airport

Helijet

Routes

CXH → YWHJB · S76

Aircraft operating here

Sikorsky S-761 routes

Hotels near CXH

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Where

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