Get a bird's eye view of Prince Rupert, surrounding First Nations villages, untamed wilderness and never-ending ocean waves on a flightseeing tour. Experiencing Prince Rupert and its impressive surroundings from the air helps visitors appreciate how truly isolated and wild the west coast of Northern BC is.Eagles gliding through the air are a common sight and, though not guaranteed, passengers may even glimpse views of wild goats standing stoically on mountain tops.
Seaplane and Heli-tours
Two companies within Prince Rupert offer seaplane tours. A third offers helicopter trips, but tours are limited. Both floatplane companies offer a variety of flightseeing tours. All vary in length, cost and destinations. Most require a minimum of two or three people.
The shortest and least expensive tour lasts a half-hour and takes in the general area above and around the city. It passes over a popular old-growth walking trail close to town, as well as historical sights such as former trading posts and the remnants of canneries that operated throughout the 20th century.
Another trip, about an hour long, concentrates on lighthouses that dot the West Coast. Among the structures, see white sandy beaches and sea lions.
Canada-Alaska and Wildlife Tours
A second, approximately one-hour-long tour trip heads North and visits the remote Tsimshian village of Port Simpson, where the American Military once kept supplies. The trip also includes sights of the Pearse Canal, which is half owned by Canada and half owned by the United States. Passengers see the southern part of Alaska. Another, longer flight – about four hours – goes north to Alaska's fishing and cannery town of Ketchikan. Passengers can disembark and explore the community's downtown, shop and sightsee.
Some flightseeing trips also focus on whale-watching and grizzly bear viewings, as Prince Rupert is a prime wildlife spot.
Regular Seaplane Trips
Regularly scheduled North Pacific Seaplane flights can also offer a cheaper alternative to an organized tour. NPS flies over First Nations villages, fishing lodges and logging camps and is an interesting way to see remote communities in the area and get a sense of how certain locals truly depend on planes and boats to travel in the area.