Daily 30-minute flights now through October 31, with fares starting at $124 one-way
||| FROM SCOTT MEIS for KENMORE AIR |||
Kenmore Air has resumed its seasonal seaplane service between Friday Harbor Marina on San Juan Island and Victoria, B.C.’s Inner Harbour, offering a quick and seamless way for islanders to cross the border from dock to downtown in 30 minutes.
Operating daily through October 31, the route offers a relaxed alternative to traditional travel: no TSA lines, no airport sprawl, and no added hassle, just a straightforward check-in and a scenic flight over the Salish Sea that lands steps from the heart of each waterfront town.
“This is international travel the way it should feel in the Northwest, quick, seamless, scenic and a great way to save precious time,” said David Gudgel, President of Kenmore Air. “You step off the dock in Friday Harbor, and 30 minutes later you’re walking Victoria’s Inner Harbour. No TSA. No airport hassle. Just an easy crossing and a front-row seat to a world-class city and steps from top-notch hotels.”
Daily Flight Schedule & Fares
- Friday Harbor Marina to Victoria Inner Harbour
Departs 11:15 a.m. | Arrives 11:45 a.m. - Victoria Inner Harbour to Friday Harbor Marina
Departs 9:45 a.m. | Arrives 10:15 a.m.
- Fares start at $124 per person, one-way
- Book Here: https://kenmoreair.com/san-juan-islands-to-victoria-bc/
International travelers should carry a valid passport and need to arrive at the Kenmore Air terminal one hour prior to flight departure time.
About Kenmore Air
Founded in 1946, Kenmore Air is the largest seaplane airline in the United States, flying over 90,000 passengers annually in its iconic de Havilland Beaver and Otter aircraft. In addition to providing scheduled flights to over 45 water-based destinations throughout the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, Kenmore Air’s wheeled aircraft operation, Kenmore Air Express, offers scheduled service between Boeing Field and the San Juans aboard modern Cessna Caravan aircraft. In addition to their scheduled service, Kenmore Air and Kenmore Air Express offer charter service to many other destinations. For more information, please visit KenmoreAir.com.
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For those who are paying attention to the science and can see through the “advertorial” facade of convenience and luxury, short-haul flights such as this one are among the worst sources of transportation-associated air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. They are even being banned by some European countries. Not to mention the noise pollution of Kenmore’s loud and dated airplane fleet, which constitutes a frequent nuisance to anyone who lives near an airport or sea plane dock.
The missing ferry to Sidney is a pain point for some, but if you care about the environment – and you probably do, if you live in San Juan County – please travel responsibly and consider the impact of your decisions beyond the ticket price.
I went over to Victoria last week. I had to take the ferry to the mainland, drive the 85 miles up to Tsawassen (and deal with the border crossing wait), then take the ferry to Vancouver Island/Swartz Bay, then drive the 20 miles to Victoria. 105 miles of driving, in a 30mph vehicle with two passengers. 1.5 gallons of gas per person for the trip, one-way.
The deHavilland Beaver carries 6 passengers, and would use ~12 gallons of fuel. 2 gallons of gas per person for the trip, one way.
The European short-haul flight ban I am aware of applies to flights where a high-speed train alternative of under 2.5 hours exists. My low-speed two-ferry-and-drive-105miles trip took considerably longer than 2.5 hours.
I’ll be using this service when it is available, even though the BC ferries I was on this last week were extremely nice compared to our WSF boats.
Further, doing some back-of-the-envelope math on how much fuel is consumed per-car for the Orcas->Anacortes run (2.5->7 gallons depending on how full the ferry is) and the Tsawassen->Swartz Bay run (3->6 gallons, again depending), you’re looking at 5.5->13 gallons of “ferry fuel” if you choose to go that way.