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August 18, 2017Vancouver Intl. Airport & Seaplane – Spotting Guide
- last modified on June 15, 2026
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, Luciano Manara, Dana Low, Daniel Chen (Spot 14 and 15) and Stefan Bratner. Last Update: May 2026 – Spot 5
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety |  |
| Photo Locations |  |
| Weather |  |
| 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. |
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 | Apron: 70-200mm Runway: 200-400mm |
View from the viewing deck itsself:
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. You can then either stand somewhere here on the unpaved shoulder or position yourself south of the crossing “N Service Rd” on the meadow there for a better angle.
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 |
North of N Service Rd on the unpaved shoulder:
South of the N Service Rd on the meadow:
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 26L 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 do not 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 |
Is the mound north of the airport still accessible? I went down there the weekend before last to find the fork to Ferguson Road closed after the Canada Post building. IMO, this is/was the absolute best place to photograph planes. It looked like there were a couple of people there, but I’ve no idea how to get there or where they would have parked.
Aren’t there no stopping signs for the dirt piles parking?
The Dirt Hills is by far the best spot at YVR for planespotting. I live in Vancouver, so I go every weekend and it is well worth a visit!!!
dirt hill may be gone
Terra Nova is a bit two far out.
As a local, I suggest that you go to the South Terminal Platform, the Avis lot, and the Dirt Hills. Good Luck!!!
Happy Plane spotting!
Dirt Hills is the number one spot for arrivals and the South Terminal Platform is great for departures when the runway is 08R. When it is 26L, Terra Nova is the spot to visit.
Good Luck fellow spotters!!!!!
Hi there Yesterday (august 5thj I noticed a CAF CC-138 at Vancouver Intl. Anyone able to Id ( regestration) the rare bird? Thank you
C-JALP, I think
i am wondering if anyone would know any good spots for the winter and that would be good with a 250mm lens
South Terminal
Dirt Hill, South Terminal, and Avis Lot.
Terra Nova
The porta potty at spot #15 (new Avis lot) is gone.
Always park your car at least 6 feet or 2M away from the fence.
I left a note, thanks.
-Julian
I would like to ask how tall of the ladder is needed for spot #15? Hence, can I buy a ladder from the store nearby? Thanks.
Refering to the attached photo in the guide I would say 5-6 steps to get over the barbed wire.
-Julian
you do not NEED one, you just have to put the camera in a position where the fence is not in the shot.