Helicopter and floatplane tours offer spectacular views and delicious craft beer.
Travelling to visit breweries is always fun, whether it’s by car (with a designated driver of course), by bicycle, or even just walking between tasting rooms in the same neighbourhood. But what about flying in a helicopter or floatplane?! That definitely takes brewery touring to another level.
Two small British Columbia-based airlines offer unique craft beer experience packages that take their passengers on a custom tour by air combined with craft beer tastings and/or brewery visits at the destination.
If you’re looking for something different to try this fall or winter, you might want to add this to your list. These tours also make excellent gifts for beer lovers, so keep that in mind as you start thinking about the upcoming holiday season.
Elevate your BC Beer Experience with SKY Helicopters’ West Coast Craft Beer Flight
SKY Helicopters offers a 20-minute helicopter flight from the Pitt Meadows Airport through the pristine Coast Mountains before landing in the backcountry where guests get to sample a flight of BC craft beers. The package tour is called the West Coast Craft Beer Flight.
On the way, passengers are treated to panoramic views of old-growth forests, Coast Mountain vistas, and alpine lakes.
These one-of-a-kind tours are available daily from the Pitt Meadows Airport and are also available from the Vancouver Harbour Heliport.
Take to the Air with Sunshine Coast Air’s Brewery Tour Packages
Sunshine Coast Air offers two separate beer-themed packages: Flights to Flights Ale & Air Tours on the Sunshine Coast; and Craft Brews & Views on Vancouver Island.
Flights to Flights Ale & Air Tours
From Sunshine Coast Air in partnership with Sunshine Coast Art Tours
This exclusive five-hour beverage tour includes visits to three tasting rooms, a 25-minute flight over Sechelt Inlet, historical commentary, a delicious one-hour lunch, and snacks throughout. Let Sunshine Coast Art Tours show you and your crew all the stops while enjoying the incredible beauty of the Sunshine Coast.
Passengers are picked up in a deluxe 12-seater van at your designated location or at the Langdale Ferry Terminal if they have walked on from Horseshoe Bay. They are taken on a scenic drive to Sunshine Coast Air for a 25-minute seaplane tour of Sechelt Inlet. Then, they visit three breweries with stops for lunch and snacks before being delivered back to their original pick-up locations.
Flights are also available from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast and Powell River.
Craft Brews & Views
From Sunshine Coast Air in partnership with Explore Vancouver Island
Two newly offered tours based out of Nanaimo take passengers on a guided tour through three breweries and a distillery, indulging in some of the island’s ever-growing craft beer and spirits scene. Between stops, experience some of the unique characteristics of the area while taking in the breathtaking views of the Salish Sea and surrounding beauty.
The Craft Brews & Views tours are available for the Cowichan Valley and mid-Island regions. They include a scenic tour by air with Sunshine Coast Air followed by a shuttle bus tour to three breweries and a distillery for some good drinks and conversation with friends.
Know before you go
Practice safe and respectful travelling as you explore the communities in our wild backyard that are open to visitors and make sure to be a considerate craft beer consumer while you’re out and about.
