Telegraph Harbour Seaplane Base (YBQ)

Thetis Island, CA 🇨🇦 Seaplane Base Scheduled Service

ICAO

YBQ

IATA

YBQ

Elevation

- ft

Region

CA-BC

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: Not available

Local Code: Not available

Location: 48.97° N, -123.664° E

Continent: North America

Type: Seaplane Base

Arrivals

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Departures

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What Travelers Say

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Online Reviews Summary

Travelers arriving at Telegraph Harbour Seaplane Base (YBQ) on Thetis Island, CA, generally express high satisfaction with the overall experience, largely due to the adjacent Telegraph Harbour Marina's welcoming atmosphere and well-maintained facilities. Reviews highlight the island's serene beauty and the convenience of seaplane access to this popular Gulf Islands destination.

What Travelers Love

Friendly and Welcoming Environment: Travelers consistently praise the Telegraph Harbour Marina's staff and new owners for their exceptional friendliness, hospitality, and dedication to creating a special experience for visitors.
Excellent Facilities and Cleanliness: The marina offers very clean washrooms and showers, a laundromat, and well-maintained grounds.
On-site Amenities: Visitors enjoy the cafe with fresh coffee, baked goods, and ice cream, along with a small general store offering basic food items, gifts, and marine guides. Free WiFi is also available.
Recreational Opportunities: The marina boasts expansive, park-like grounds with swings, picnic areas, barbecues, horseshoe pits, table tennis, volleyball, shuffleboard, and lawn games, making it an enjoyable stop for families and groups. It is also noted as dog-friendly.
Convenient Seaplane Access: Telegraph Harbour Seaplane Base is served by operators like Seair Seaplanes and Gulf Island Seaplanes, providing efficient connections to Vancouver and other Gulf Islands.

Common Complaints

Limited Water Supply: The marina relies on a well, leading to limited water availability, although new owners are reportedly evaluating ways to provide more reliable water.
No On-site Fuel: Some recent reviews indicate there is no fuel dock at the marina. (Note: One source contradicted this, stating there is a fuel dock, but explicit recent mentions lean towards no fuel.)
Lack of Dedicated Seaplane Terminal Information: There is a general absence of specific traveler reviews regarding dedicated seaplane terminal facilities, security wait times, or customs/immigration experiences at YBQ, suggesting a very minimal setup that relies on the adjacent marina's infrastructure.

Overall, travelers find Telegraph Harbour Seaplane Base (YBQ) to be a highly pleasant entry point to Thetis Island, primarily due to the exceptional amenities and hospitality offered by the directly adjacent Telegraph Harbour Marina. While the seaplane base itself may be basic, the comprehensive offerings of the marina make it a recommended and enjoyable destination for those seeking a relaxing island experience.

Last updated: 60 days ago

AI-Generated: Compiled from publicly available reviews. May not be current or accurate.

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Airport Routes

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Popular Flight Routes

Routes Not Available: Flight routes are only available for commercial airports. Telegraph Harbour Seaplane Base is classified as a seaplane base.

0 destinations displayed

Destination	IATA	City	Aircraft Type	Airline	Details	Route Map
Route Data Not Loaded Get fresh route data for Telegraph Harbour Seaplane Base from FlightAware API Last updated: 2 weeks, 3 days ago This will fetch real-time data including recent departures and scheduled flights

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Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Taxis

There are no licensed taxi services operating on Thetis Island. It is essential to pre-arrange transportation with your accommodation provider or arrange for a private pickup prior to arrival.

Rental Cars

No car rental agencies are located at the seaplane base or on Thetis Island. Visitors needing a vehicle must rent one on Vancouver Island and bring it over on the BC Ferries service from Chemainus.

Public Transportation

There is no public bus system or transit service on Thetis Island. The only public transport link is the BC Ferries route that connects Preedy Harbour on Thetis Island with Chemainus on Vancouver Island.

AI-Generated Content: This ground transportation information was compiled using AI from publicly available sources. Prices, schedules, and availability may change; please verify with official airport or transportation provider websites before traveling.

Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.

External Links & Resources

Official Resources

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Links verified: Nov 21, 2025

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