Campbell River sits on the Island's east coast about 150 kilometres north of Nanaimo, where the road north narrows and the coast turns wild. It is the staging point for the Discovery Islands and a string of remote lodges reached only by water or air. For all that, the town itself is easy to reach: unlike most of the north Island, it has a year-round scheduled flight straight from Vancouver.
Your options from Vancouver
Pacific Coastal, direct to YBL
The headline option. Pacific Coastal Airlines flies Vancouver to Campbell River roughly twice a day, every day of the year, in about forty minutes. The airport is minutes from town, there is no Island connection to make, and it keeps running through the winter when the seaplanes stop. For most visitors this is simply the answer.
Harbour Air seaplane (new, seasonal)
Harbour Air launches a seasonal seaplane to the Campbell River waterfront in summer 2026, giving a downtown-Vancouver-to-waterfront option for the first time. It is the scenic choice when it runs, landing you right in town with no airport at either end. Like all floatplanes it flies by sight, so it is a fair-weather service, not a winter one.
Ferry plus the drive north
If you want your own car, or you are touring the Island, cross to Nanaimo by ferry and drive up. It is the only way to arrive with a vehicle and the right call if you are continuing to Strathcona Park, the north Island, or a road trip. The highway is fast and scenic; budget about an hour and three-quarters from Nanaimo.
Going beyond the road
Campbell River is where many trips switch from roads to water and air. The Discovery Islands, remote inlets, and fly-in fishing lodges are reached by charter floatplane and water taxi from here, with operators like Vancouver Island Air running to the coast. If a lodge is your destination, it will usually tell you exactly how to make the final connection from Campbell River, so get yourself to town first by the option above that suits you, then hand the last leg to them.
Which one to pick
Fly if
- You want the simplest, year-round trip: take the direct Pacific Coastal flight.
- You are visiting in summer and want the scenery: try the new seaplane.
- You are connecting onward to a lodge by charter from town.
Drive if
- You need your own car, or are travelling with a pet or a lot of gear.
- You are touring the Island and Campbell River is one stop of several.
- You are continuing into Strathcona Park or further north.
The short answer
The far end of the Island, but an easy flight from the city.
Where to next
Read up on the option you are leaning toward, or see how the crossings compare.