Downtown Vancouver's scenic seaplane gateway on Burrard Inlet.
Opened
1939
Location
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver Harbour Water Aerodrome (IATA: CXH, ICAO: CYHC) is a water aerodrome located in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, situated on the north shore of Burrard Inlet near Canada Place. It serves as a key hub for float plane operations connecting Vancouver to destinations across coastal British Columbia and the Gulf Islands.
The aerodrome is primarily used by Harbour Air Seaplanes, one of the largest all-seaplane airlines in the world, offering scheduled service to Victoria, Nanaimo, Salt Spring Island, and other coastal communities. Seair Seaplanes has also operated services from this location.
Because it is a water aerodrome, there are no conventional runways; aircraft take off and land directly on the water. Its central downtown location makes it one of the most conveniently situated air terminals in Canada, offering passengers stunning views of the North Shore mountains and the Vancouver skyline.
Terminals
The aerodrome features a modest passenger terminal building on the downtown waterfront with ticketing, waiting areas, and docking facilities for float planes.
Getting to & from
The aerodrome is located in downtown Vancouver adjacent to Canada Place, making it walkable from the city centre and accessible via public transit, taxi, and ride-share services.
Airlines here
Harbour Air Seaplanes is the dominant carrier, with Seair Seaplanes also historically operating scheduled and charter services from the aerodrome.
Notable facts
- ›Located on Burrard Inlet directly adjacent to the Vancouver Convention Centre and Canada Place.
- ›Harbour Air Seaplanes, based here, is one of the world's largest all-seaplane airlines.
- ›No conventional runways exist; all operations are conducted on water.
- ›Harbour Air announced plans to electrify its fleet, conducting a pioneering test flight of an electric seaplane in 2019.
- ›The aerodrome provides one of the fastest connections between downtown Vancouver and downtown Victoria, typically around 35 minutes flight time.
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 Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
