A Harbour Air scenic tour provides a chance for a spectacular view of Vancouver, including highlight attractions like Stanley Park, the Lions Gate Bridge, and North Shore mountains. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
I didn’t grow up in Vancouver and I think for that reason I still find myself staggered by its beauty. That feeling of awe is at its zenith during a Harbour Air scenic tour. The North Shore mountains, Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, Howe Sound, and the city skyline are all on eagle’s-eye display as you circle the glass-towered city in a float plane. From takeoff to landing, the one-hour experience is exhilarating.
It begins at Harbour Air’s terminal, located in the same complex as the Vancouver Convention Centre, the northernmost location in the city’s downtown. The terminal mixes its check-in counters with a waiting lounge, bar and coffee shop, and retail gift store. With views of the snow-capped mountains and Burrard Inlet outside of the terminal’s floor-to-ceiling windows, it offers about as pleasant of a pre-flight experience as a passenger can find. Harbour Air is best known for its flights between Vancouver and Victoria, which occur multiple times a day, but it covers a lot of the British Columbia Lower Mainland, with flights as far west as Tofino and north to Campbell River, both on Vancouver Island. In June, it launches service from Victoria to Seattle.
Harbour Air’s scenic flight circles Vancouver for nearly an hour, giving passengers plenty of time to be awed by the west-coast marvel. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
All of the flights have special views of B.C., but the scenic tours of Vancouver highlight the city at its finest — from above, soaring in proximity to clouds and birds of prey. Passengers start their journey with a descent from the terminal to a dock, where seals can often be spotted, and make their way to an inviting float plane. Harbour Air possesses the largest all-seaplane fleet in the world, and their vessels are Canadian-built from de Havilland.
MORE VANCOUVER: Restaurants for FIFA Fans
I took the flight with my wife and son, 8-year-old Gabriel, who was glued to the window, catching sight of his favourite places in the city and getting a better understanding of the geography of his hometown. While I often wonder if he realizes how beautiful his city is compared to most others in the world, I never take Vancouver’s natural surroundings for granted. I was almost 30 before I saw snow-capped mountains of this stature and vividly remember the moment. It was an early August morning when my flight landed at Vancouver International Airport and I looked up to glimpse the sunrise over the jagged rock. I was instantly wowed.
Kids will jump for the sky when they get the chance to take flight on a Harbour Air scenic tour of Vancouver. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
The Harbour Air experience took me back to that moment and it also connected Gabriel to the landscape. He understood why the two peaks above the city are called The Lions and could see the pier of North Vancouver, where the SeaBus ferries arrive after crossing Burrard Inlet. Seeing the sports stadiums — Rogers Arena, where the NHL Canucks play, and BC Place, home to the MLS Whitecaps and seven 2026 FIFA World Cup matches – was a treat. Normally, those buildings seem like enormous edifices. But from the sky, they are dwarfed by the mountains, yet still manage to draw the eye because of the excitement for what happens inside.
View this post on Instagram
As summer approaches and parents wonder how to fill the days with novel experiences, the scenic tour — which is usually booked by tourists — offers a fun and educational outing for residents too.
Here are other family-friendly happenings in Vancouver as the weather heats up.
At Science World, “Soccer and Tech” Triumph
The “Soccer and Technology” exhibit at Science World explores the game and its superstar performances in an educational way. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
While the Harbour Air tour offers a wide view of where the World Cup action will take place, the city’s venerable educational attraction takes fans deep into the game. Science World’s glimmering silver dome, one of the icons of the Vancouver skyline, features the unique “Soccer and Technology” exhibit in conjunction with the soccer tournament. It is the first-ever display of items from the FIFA Museum to appear outside of Zurich. The showcase focuses on the evolution of the beautiful game and how we view it.
A section dedicated to the changing broadcast technology is a key part of the Science World exhibition, which runs until September 7. Fans can also play referee by interacting with the VAR replay technology that was created by Hisense for FIFA. Jerseys and memorabilia from Canadian and international stars, such as Lionel Messi, are on display. You can view how footwear has changed, understand the role microchips play in gathering statistical information about the players, and test your shooting abilities against a virtual goalkeeper.
Fans will get a kick out of the display featuring ticket prices from World Cups past, including a choice seat for the Mexico 1970 tournament that cost just $30.
A Fancy FIFA Fan Zone at Westin Bayshore
Dubbed “Bay’Score”, a new immersive experience has taken over the Grand Ballroom at the beloved Westin Bayshore in Coal Harbour. The pop-up fan zone will feature a massive LED Infinity Wall that will broadcast World Cup matches, as well as interactive games that kids will love. A kids play area, stadium-inspired food and drink, and a beer garden are part of the experience.
Access is complimentary with a food and beverage purchase, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis and a three-hour seating limit. The experience debuts June 15 to 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, then returns June 27 to July 15, with a final activation scheduled for July 19 to coincide with the tournament final, which will be played in Los Angeles. (Daily hours may vary based on match schedules and guest demand.)
The hotel is a one-stop spot for fun, immaculate views, outstanding food and drink, and a sense of relaxation on the placid Vancouver Seawall. The Bay’Score experience adds to its consistent list of activities that never fail to amplify the excitement taking place in the heart of the city.
