A Great Helicopter Tour From Campbell River On Vancouver Island
On our stay in Campbell River, we had an amazing helicopter tour from Campbell River on Vancouver Island. We booked a 45 minute flight with 49 North Helicopters located at the Campbell River Airport (YBL). Our flight took us out over the Discovery Islands on Desolation Sound. It was a perfect day to take in the stunning views below.
Booking A Helicopter Tour
David surprised me with a helicopter tour for our wedding anniversary when we stayed for a few days in Campbell River on our getaway to Vancouver Island. He texted back and forth with 49 North Helicopters to set this up as a surprise. The weather kept him guessing until he was sure the weather would be perfect to finalize the plans.
49 North Helicopters had a couple of different helicopter tours from Campbell River to choose from. A short 20 minute tour went over the Campbell River coastline. The helicopter tour over the Discovery Islands on Desolation Sound was a longer trip of 45 minutes. For this tour, there were options to add beach stops or a picnic stop. There was a 45 minute tour to fly over the Comox Glacier. Or a longer 90 minute tour over the glaciers on the BC Coast Mountains. For the glacier helicopter tours, we could also pay to land for a photo shoot or picnic stop.
After considering the options and other things we have experienced, David booked the 45 minute Discovery Islands helicopter tour from Campbell River.
Setting Out On Our Helicopter Adventure
After we spent time exploring around Campbell River, David gave me directions to get back to our hotel. I was driving because David was still recovering from a broken foot after our adventures in Egypt. It did not take me long to realize he had some other destination in mind. And when we passed the sign for the Campbell River airport, I had a very good guess about what he planned.
We parked at 49 North Helicopters and checked out the field of helicopters. We loved taking helicopter tours when we travelled and had so many great flight memories. Our helicopter trip in Sedona in Arizona took us through the great canyons. On the Big Island in Hawaii, we travelled all around the coastal region. Our views over the Iguazu Falls in South America added a stunning perspective to our visit. So much so that could not resist a helicopter tour over Victoria Falls in Africa. So I was excited when I knew what the surprise was!
After we went inside, we got checked in and met our pilot Axel. Axel went through a thorough safety briefing before we got into the R44 Raven three passenger light helicopter. I loved the smaller helicopter with huge windows. And loved that we had the helicopter all to ourselves.
We were so thrilled to head off for an amazing helicopter tour from Campbell River on Vancouver Island.
Along The Coast At Campbell River
Axel took off and skimmed the trees as he left the field. We immediately got a great view down the coast from Campbell River.
When we returned, we got a different view of the city of Campbell River over the mouth of the actual Campbell River. The large marina was below us.
We looked for the distinctive Campbell River Golf Course and the Naturally Pacific Resort where we stayed for this visit. It was very cool to see if from above.
We were glad we got some views over the city on our helicopter tour from Campbell River.
Out Over Discovery Islands On Desolation Sound
British Columbia’s Inside Passage is a protected marine route that stretches from just north of Campbell River between Port Hardy on Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert. This Inside Passage is a popular route for smaller cruise vessels transiting to and from Alaska. Every night on our stay in Campbell River we saw cruise ships as they passed through the Discovery Passage to or from the Inside Passage.
The views from above were simply stunning as we headed out over Quadra Island and explored the Discovery Islands on Desolation Sound. We saw the 3 main islands – Quadra, Cortes and Redonda. In the distance we saw the mountains on the mainland in British Columbia.
We loved the amazing vistas we got over the Discovery Islands on Desolation Sound when we flew on the helicopter tour from Campbell River.
Amazing Views Below
As we flew, we looked down over amazing sights. We saw coves filled with boats anchored to enjoy the area. We even saw groups of kayaks moving along the shores. Looking down we saw crystal clear waters. And vowed one day to explore the area by boat to enjoy the waters up close.
We got our first close up look at oyster aquaculture farming when we drove up the coast from Nanaimo to Campbell River. From the air, we got different views of these pens.
At one point, Axel circled in and showed us his favourite waterfall near Teakerne Arm Provincial Park on West Redonda Island. It was a beautiful sight from the air.
The many views we saw on our helicopter tour from Campbell River delighted us. We were sad when our booked trip was over.
Amazing Sights On A Helicopter Tour From Campbell River
Axel pointed us back towards Campbell River. We flew in over the tree tops and landed softly back on the field.
We were delighted with the amazing sights we got on our helicopter tour from Campbell River on Vancouver Island. It was great to see the channel, multiple islands and mountains in the distance as we flew. Close up views of the islands and waterways below were lovely. The trip certainly teased us to explore more one day. This adventure was certainly a highlight on our visit to Campbell River. And worth a trip north when we explored more of Vancouver Island on this trip.
Did you enjoy a helicopter tour from Campbell River on Vancouver Island? Did you do the same route we did or some other great flight?
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