Victoria Inner Harbour Airport - Spotting Guide

Victoria Inner Harbour Airport – Spotting Guide

February 21, 2022 - last modified on December 5, 2023

Victoria Inner Harbour Airport (IATA: YWH, ICAO: CYWH) is an airport for water planes only and is located right at the waterfront of Downtown Victoria, BC. Currently there are two airlines operating from Victoria. The local Harbour Air offers schedule flights to Vancouver Harbour and various smaller locations in the region plus sightseeing and charter flights. Kenmore Air is the second operator, offering daily flights to Seattle. Harbour Air’s link to Vancouver Harbour Water Airport is Canada’s busiest air route by number of weekly flights. Due to COVID-19 pandemice, the services have been temporarily suspended!

Due to its closeness to Downtown Victora, spotting around YWH is pretty easy as you can walk to every location, all of which offer unforgettable views.

Written by Thomas Ingendorn. Last update: Summer 2021

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
–	There is no designated runway
Terminals	One terminal handling all flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed at any spot.
Car/Public Transport	Not needed as you can easily walk to the spots from Downtown Victoria.
Drinks/Food	Directly available at spot 1 or in Downtown.
Hotels	There are plenty of hotels around the harbour with nice views of the action on the water.
Season	We recommend to go there in the summer months. Not just because of the weather only but more movements are taking place in this season.
Runway Usage
General Info	In general the planes either approach from the south or from the north by following the water. At the graphic describes the situation pretty good.

	Spot #1 – Seaplane Terminal
WHERE	The first spot is right at downtown VIctora at Wharf St where the seaplane terminal is situated. It is at the Inner Harbour which is pretty easy to find. The best option for taking pictures is to go to a dock a bit south of the seaplane terminal. But in general you can stand everywhere around the terminal, even from the higher Wharf St.

WHAT	You can photograph the traffic to and from the floating docks.

TIME	Depends a bit on the angle but the best time is in the morning hours.

MISC.	Everything you need is just around the corner. Restaurants, Hotels, Supermarkets etc..

FOCAL LENGTH	100-160mm

	Spot #2 – David Foster Way
WHERE	There is some kind of ‘boardwalk’ around a hotel called Inn at Laurel Point. This spot is also very easy to reach from downtown. Just walk to the ferry terminals and after you have passed it you will see the hotel infront of you. Now you can walk the path down to the water. Now find your prefered postion along the David Foster Way. If you approach by car park along Belleville St..

WHAT	This is the best location as you won`t miss a single movement. All planes will pass by on their way from the terminal to the runway and vice versa. Seaplanes parked at the floating docks in the far distance can be seen as well.

TIME	You can stand here for almost the whole day. Only in the summer it will be backlit in the evening.

MISC.	A nice place with some trees and benches to relax. The hotel itself offers rooms with a nice view of the water action. Everything else can be found in the nearby downtown.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-160mm

	Spot #3 – Songhees Point
WHERE	Songhees Point is some kind of a rock hill which is a popular spot for tourists as you have a nice view of the harbour and the skyline of Downton Victoria from here. It is once again pretty easy to reach from Downton. Cross the Inner Harbour on the Johnson Street Bridge and then go down to the water and walk until the Songhees Point. Parking is available directly at the location.

WHAT	A very nice location if the seaplanes approaching from the north and banking right. But also all planes will pass by on their way from the terminal to the runway and vice versa.

TIME	Banking/approach shots can be made from afternoon. Seaplanes in the water can be photographed in the evening hours during the summer months.

MISC.	Here are just some benches to sit down and watch the beautiful scenery.

FOCAL LENGTH	100-160mm