Vancouver Intl. Airport & Seaplane Spotting Guide

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Vancouver Intl. Airport & Seaplane Spotting Guide

Published by Bas at August 18, 2017 - last modified on September 21, 2022

Vancouver International Airport (YVR/CYVR) is the second busiest airport in Canada. The airport handles about 22 million passengers a year and is the Asian gateway to Canada. Both Air Canada and WestJet are based at Vancouver. Furthermore, there are a lot of smaller regional carriers flying to the north, like Air North and Pacific Coastal Airlines, starting from the South Terminal.

On the south side of the airport lays the Vancouver International Seaplane (CAM9) base. The Seaplane base is located on the Fraser Rivers and is a hub for Harbour Air and Seair. On busy days, the base will be swarmed by Beavers, Turbo Beavers, Otters, Twin Otters and all kinds of Cessna floatplanes.

Written by Bas Velders, Achim Walter, Jan Seba, Luciano Manara, Dana Low, Daniel Chen (Spot 14 and 15) and Stefan Bratner (last update May 2019)

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Airport Information
Runways
08L/26R	3.030m (9,940 ft)
08R/26L	3,505m (11,500 ft)
12/30	2.225m (7,300 ft)
Terminals
Main Terminal	Almost all domestic and international flights.
South Terminal	All flights of Pacific Coastal and smaller charter airlines.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed at the spots below
Car/Public Transport	A car is advisable for most spots. But there is a courtesy bus between the main and south terminals. For the 26R spots you can use the metro and exit at Templeton Station and walk to these positions.
Restrooms	In the terminals and seaplane bases.
Drinks/Food	There are a few restaurants in the vicinity. One of the best is the Flying Beaver Grill and Bar (at the Harbour Air Seaplane Terminal).
Hotels	On the east side of the airport, there are a lot of affordable hotels. The River Rock Casino is almost under the approach of 26R and you can spot and photograph the arrivals from their parking garage. The angle is not the best and it will look like that.
Season	The best weather season is from April untill Oktober. Also more charter traffic in the summer
Runway Usage
08L/26R	Mostly used for landings especially by international and long rage flights.
08R/26L	Mostly used for takoffs.

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Templeton Station Rd - Arrivals 26R

WHERE	From the terminal, drive towards the city centre (Grand McConachie Way) until you cross Templeton St. Turn left here. Turn right on Templeton Station Road and park you car along the road near the shopping centre. Walk towards the Fraser River and find a nice spot to take photos of the arriving traffic.

WHAT	Arrivals on RWY 26R only.

TIME	Almost all day long. In the summer backlit in the morning and evening.

MISC.	Everything you need is at the shopping center.

FOCAL LENGTH	100 – 250 mm.

Ferguson Rd - Arrivals 26R

WHERE	This spot is located along Ferguson Rd . Easy to reach if coming from the mall and Tempelton Rd. Park your car alongside the road once you have passed the approach path. There is a small hill which is undeveloped so it is fully covered by grass and low bushes, but it is a good place to capture the arriving planes from aside. There is small wooden gate and a path that leads to the top. From there find your prefered position. You can stay on the road too if you don´t wanna get on the hill but the angle is a little bit worse.

WHAT	Arrivals on RWY 26R only.

TIME	Late evenings in the summer only.

MISC.	Everything you need is at the shopping mall.

FOCAL LENGTH	75 – 100 mm.

Larry Berg Flight Path Park - Arrivals 26L

WHERE	From the terminal, drive towards the city centre (Grand McConachie Way) until you cross Templeton St. Turn right here. Turn left on Miller Rd and right again on Rus Baker Way. The Larry Berg Flight Path Park will be on your right hand side.

WHAT	Arrivals 26L only. The angle is pretty worse and its good for head-on shots in the evening. There is also a crash gate next to the park where you might be able to photograph the line up for 26L.

TIME	You are directly under the approach path.

MISC.	South of this location is a McDonalds (see spot #4). This is more a place to relax (with the family) and watching the aircraft passing by.

FOCAL LENGTH	50 – 100 mm.

Gilbert Rd - Arrivals 26L

WHERE	Just south of spot #3. Park your car on the parking lot at the corner Gilber Rd and Russ Baker Way. There are some retail stores. No parking restrictions. You can cross the street if needed.

WHAT	Arrivals 26L only. Most 26L arrival are for small props planes and business jets during the day time. British Aerospace Avro RJ100, 4-engine jet landed a few times at 26L.

TIME	Almost all day long. In the summer backlit in the morning and evening.

MISC.	The McDonalds restaurant is a 2 minute walk.

FOCAL LENGTH	400mm lens won’t fill up those small planes. Need cropping.

South Terminal Viewing Platform - Ramps and 08L/26R

WHERE	To reach the spot #5 and #6 you can follow the signs to the South Terminal. On the right hand side of the terminal, there is a public parking lot and an elevated observation area. There is also a courtesy shuttle between the main and south terminal you can use.

WHAT	All South Terminal traffic. Departing/arriving traffic runway 08L/26R (watch out for heat haze). You can walk along the perimeter fence and photograph different kind of angles through the fence.

TIME	Almost the whole day as you can shoot different angles. Runway is backlit in the summer in the morning and evening.

MISC.	Everything you need is inside the South Terminal.

FOCAL LENGTH	80 – 200 mm for all movements on the apron. 300 – 400 mm for arriving and departing traffic.

Vancouver International Seaplane (CAM9)

WHERE	Follow the signs to the South Terminal and park on the Float Plane parking.

WHAT	All movements on the Fraser River are visible.

TIME	Depends on the angle you prefer. For planes on the rive late afternoon – sunset

MISC.	The Harbour Air Terminal also houses the Flying Beaver Bar & Grill. Also the South Terminal is nearby. There are some benches along the riverside.

FOCAL LENGTH	100 – 300 mm.

Turning area Ferguson Rd - 08L arrivals

WHERE	Driving the Ferguson Rd., pass spot #8, to the end of the airport and you see a big turning area and some trucks parking . Just stay there and start spotting.

WHAT	08L arrivals only.

TIME	Only useful in the summer in the morning.

MISC.	Everything you need is at the shopping mall.

FOCAL LENGTH	789 = 90mm; A333 = 150mm

The dirt pile - 08L/26R movements

WHERE	Coming from spot #2 follow Ferguson Rd. After the last building you’ll see severel small mounds to the left side where you can climb up to shoot over the fence as you are 3-4 meters higher. There are two good options too stay. In the morning if runway 08L is active stay at the western positions. In the evening if runway 26R is active go to the eastern point next to the Canadian Post. You can park closeto the entrance to the Canadian Post (don´t enter their property) on the side of the road and walk to the spots or park at the McDonald Beach Park which is a bit more far away. By public transports exit at Tempelton Station and walk to the locations for approximate 20-30 minutes.

WHAT	The northern taxiways are in range too.

TIME	Only useful in the summer. Best for 08L in the early morning, 26R in the evening.

MISC.	Don´t go down to the fence and Stay away for at least 2 meters. Everything you need is at the shopping mall.

FOCAL LENGTH	150 to 300mm

Miller neighbourhood Park - 26R arrivals

WHERE	This is an alternative to #1. You need a higher focal length but the angle is slightly better. Coming from Grant McConachie Way use exit to Russ Baker way. Turn right into Miller Rd and follow the street until you see the dog playground on the right. Park you car and go north until you have a postion you like. Address fpr navigation: 6800 Miller Road

WHAT	Arrivals on RWY 26R only.

TIME	Almost all day long. In the summer backlit in the morning and evening.

MISC.	Everything you need is at the shopping mall.

FOCAL LENGTH	763 = 300mm

Long Term Parking - 26R arrivals

WHERE	The location is on the YVR Value Long Term Parking. Northeast of Grant McConachie Way & Templeton St. Just follow the signs. It’s btw Spot #9 and #13 and it’s a big lot and the view is different from east to west side of the lot. If coming by metro just exit at the Templeton Station and walk on the lot.

WHAT	Best location for 26R as different angles are possible. From 90 degree till front view.

TIME	Almost all day long. In the summer backlit in the morning and evening.

MISC.	Fee for parking is $4.25 hourly. $20.50 Daily Max. The shopping mall is just around the corner.

FOCAL LENGTH	77W = 260mm

Hangars - South Terminal movements

WHERE	The position is on the opposite site of the south terminal in a corner next to some hangars. Just continue the road from spot #6 and park your car next to the fence where you have to shoot through.

WHAT	Best for aircraft coming from the runway and heading to their parking position.

TIME	Good location from afternoon till sunset.

MISC.	As usual on the ground, heat haze is an issue, especially in the summer. Everything you need within the south terminal.

FOCAL LENGTH	737 = 140mm; Beech = 110mm

Fraser River - Seaplane movements

WHERE	There is a nice location across the Fraser River where you can photograph the seaplanes. Its on the opposite site from #6. To get there continue the road from #3 and #4 southwards and cross the river. Turn the next right into Westminster and then once again right to get to the river road. There is a dyke where you find plenty of photo positions.

WHAT	All seaplane movements on the fraser river and heavy 08R departures. For seaplane movement it is better to stand more in the western side of the marked path but for the heavy departures you need to move more to the east, otherwise the planes will still be too low.

TIME	Almost all day long. In the summer backlit in the morning and evening.

MISC.	Heat haze is an issue in the summer. Nothing special nearby.

FOCAL LENGTH	Seaplanes on the river = 300-400mm; A345 departure = 350mm

Templeton St - 26R arrivals

WHERE	This is an alternative to spot #9 as you are much closer but the angle is a little bit worse. Located at Templeton St, just after the crossing with Templeton Station Rd. 20 mt. after the traffic light if coming from Templeton St or immediately on the right hand side after turning right if coming from Templeton Station Rd. Stop your car as there is plenty of space on the shoulder on the right on the unpaved road. By public transport you can easily walk from the Templeton Station.

WHAT	This is the favourite spot for locals for landing shots on 26R. Very close and very low approaching planes, mostly international, long range flights with Canadian traffic too.

TIME	Almost all day long. In the summer backlit in the morning and evening.

MISC.	The shopping mall is just around the corner. Parking is not really legal but usually cops don’t bother you there.

FOCAL LENGTH	77W = 40mm

Terra Nova Park - 26L departures

WHERE	The location is within the Terra Nova Park, which is approximate 3 kilometers westwards from spot #12. Use the way to #12 and continue on River Rd till the end. There are some offical parking lots and the park is dirctley at the water to hang out. You can position yourself all along the trail that runs along the river.

WHAT	This is not the best place for photography as you are very very far from the runway. BUT, if the conditions are good enough you can make stunning departures photos from 27R with the canadian mountains as a background.

TIME	Only usable in the winter due to massive distance and heat distortion.

MISC.	Restroom and benches are in the park.

FOCAL LENGTH	500-600mm needed if you don`t wanna crop.

Sample photo on JP. The location itself looks like this.

NEW Avis Lot - 26R arrivals/taxiway

WHERE	The new avis Lot is near mike 5 taxiway and is accessible by car from McDonald Rd. Parking on side available but stay at least 2m (6ft) away from the fence with the car. Reachable by foot if you get off at sea island center station and walk a bit. There is a fence and a gate where you can shoot thru. Otherwise huge ladder needed!

WHAT	Nearby mike 5 taxiway and 27R landing and touchdown.

TIME	Almost all day long. In the summer backlit in the morning and evening.

MISC.	There is always chance to get kicked off so it is important to tell the security your here to take photos!

FOCAL LENGTH	LH744 arrival = 150mm; AA 738 = 200mm