Travellers will soon have a way to fly from downtown Vancouver to The Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island and vice versa, as Harbour Air announces direct service between the two destinations starting this spring.
The seaplane airline says from June 12 to Sept. 15, travellers from B.C.’s mainland can board for $499 round-trip and enjoy “unparalleled access to the breathtaking floral displays and serene landscapes of this world-famous attraction.”
Harbour Air announced the new route Tuesday, saying it offers visitors “a uniquely Canadian way” to take in the B.C. coastline and the show garden in Brentwood Bay, which it calls one of the province’s “most iconic destinations.”
Bert van der Stege, CEO of Harbour Air, says the feat marks a “significant milestone,” while Butchart’s CEO Dave Cowen says his team looks forward to working with the airline for years to come.
The travel time is about 30 minutes, and access to the gardens is via The Butchart Cove wharf, according to Harbour Air. Wednesday to Sunday service will see a flight depart Vancouver Harbour at 11:30 a.m. before leaving the gardens at 2:30 p.m., allowing for about two hours of admission.
“Harbour Air’s addition of a direct flight from Vancouver to the Butchart Cove wharf is an exciting pairing of two iconic tourism experiences – a flight over B.C.’s extraordinary coast and a visit to Butchart’s world-class gardens,” added Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, in a release.
Harbour Air, around since 1982, has since expanded to a fleet of 45 aircraft with 12 scheduled destinations, including Victoria, Nanaimo, Tofino, and Comox. Butchart, meanwhile, is more than a century old and spans 55 acres.
“We can’t wait to welcome more people to the Saanich Peninsula and showcase all we have to offer,” added Popham.
Tickets went on sale Tuesday, and more information is online here.
Ethan Morneau
