Vancouver Island Soaring Centre
Vancouver Island Soaring Centre
Vancouver Island Soaring Centre
5
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
Sightseeing tours and glider flight training in the Port Alberni Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Treat yourself to one of the most unique experiences you can find on Vancouver Island. Our Transport Canada-certified pilots will carry you aloft in a state-of-the-art two-seat glider. Seated up front, you will be surrounded by spectacular views of the Beaufort Mountains, crystal-clear freshwater lakes, ocean inlets and the rugged coastline of Vancouver Island. You’ll see the town of Port Alberni below and cruise over Sproat Lake, keeping an eye out for the massive Martin Mars waterbombers at their base below. Open from mid April until the end of September.
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Vancouver Island Soaring Centre
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
116 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Jiří M
2 contributions
Jun 2024 • Solo
Amazing experience. Soaring above the mountains with Ocean view. Climbing in the thermal with Bold Eagles doing the same thing. Very impressive skills of the pilots who are able to fly without the engine and always land first try.
Written July 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike S
Ajax, Canada1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Friends
It has been a dream of mine to experience flying since I was a young boy. I have flown in all types of aircraft including owning and briefly flying a hang-glider in 1975 but this experience was beyond expectations. Gliding is calming, exhilarating and smooth in the air. My pilot/instructor Warwick guided us to a ridge near the airport where the winds created plenty of lift to about 4500 feet, and we gently flew in the current of air for about 30 minutes. At one point we passed a bald eagle in the same thermal as us. It was quite an experience and I can now proudly say that I have "Soared with the Eagles".
Written June 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley F
Vancouver, Canada8 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
The folks at Vancouver Island Soaring Centre are amazing. They took our 11 year-old up in the glider. She loved it so much, now she wants flying lessons! Super friendly people, very safe, great prices. Highly recommend.
Written August 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Handy G
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Solo
This should be top of list for dreamers of free flight, or anyone wanting an eagle's eye view of the Alberni Valley. Great crew to make your flight safe and fun. I want to go up again next year!
Written July 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chase P
5 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
I visited Vancouver island for a 10 day solo trip and my hour long glider flight over Port Alberni was the absolute highlight of my trip. It was a beautiful drive out to the airfield where I met Andrezj the owner who gave me the breakdown of his operation and what to expect that day. He introduced me to Chris my glider pilot for the day. Andrezj would be flying the tow plane. Chris was an awesome pilot and great guy. He really wanted me to get the most out of my flight and once comfortable he really showed what the glider could do. So much fun!! The views were even better that I could of imagined. Chris had some info of the surrounding sights and some cool stories. He answered all my weird questions and explained how the thermal pockets worked and I could tell he really enjoys what he does. I felt absolutely safe the whole time and highly recommend to anyone who wants an experience of a lifetime from a great operation.
Written July 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
myfanwy c
8 contributions
Jul 2020
I had dreamed of experiencing a glider flight since I was 5.
I did so this week at Vancouver Island Soaring Centre. It was an incredible experience. Flying with only the sound of wind was both peaceful and exhillerating.
The pilot was very experienced and made sure I felt safe.
The owner gave very thourough explanations and instructions.
This is a must for an experience.
I did so this week at Vancouver Island Soaring Centre. It was an incredible experience. Flying with only the sound of wind was both peaceful and exhillerating.
The pilot was very experienced and made sure I felt safe.
The owner gave very thourough explanations and instructions.
This is a must for an experience.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
801sfot
Nanaimo, Canada18 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
Vancouver Island is an incredibly beautiful place and is even more spectacular when soaring above like an eagle. The experience of catching an updraft and riding it was definitely bird like. Keith was an excellent pilot and let me try my hand at taking the controls. I felt very safe, as the owner and staff are experienced pilots who LOVE what they do. You can feel their enthusiasm. A great time being a tourist in my own backyard.
Written July 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darin_22
Nanaimo, Canada1 contribution
May 2018 • Family
Iv'e had this gem of an experience on my bucket list for a while. I finally found the perfect time to experience this adventure when my son turned 16. I signed us both up for a 1 hour flight. He got to go first citing birthday rules. The crew prepared us well in the pre flight orientation, and in no time he soared away into the blue abyss. I had i big smile on my face as he climbed higher and higher thinking he will never forget this experience. When he landed perfectly he had the biggest smile he couldn't wipe off his face. He got to soar with an eagle off the wing. The sky was overcast and i worried we wouldn't have the best views but we found holes in the clouds and soared around the edges of the clouds a very surreal experience. The views are amazing from the blue turquoise color of Sproat lake to the hidden mountain lakes. Thanks our pilot Cole and Andrez we had a day we will never forget.
Written May 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hugs20
Victoria, Canada30 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Last summer I had another wonderful adventure, flying as a passenger in the PWU-6 sailplane in Port Alberni, at the airport. So much fun .. I love being in the air .. so very peaceful to be up in the sky ..soaring over the countryside and the mountains.
Written November 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valery H
St. Petersburg, FL4 contributions
Sept 2015 • Family
this was the one thing my son wanted to do on our visit to BC. Coming from Florida, the landscape was so different and with the leaves changing, the opportunity seemed perfect. we researched this activity and this company came out tops. the views were stupendous and they had an eagle fly along with them. worth the time and cost!
Written September 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NoName2210
Nanaimo, Canada
How many people can ride in the glider?
I wanted to get this as a 50th birthday present for my husband & wanted to see if my son could go up with him.
Thank you
Laurie
Written April 2, 2016
There is only enough room for the pilot and one passenger, however, someone will be on the ground the whole time and will answer any questions and talk of past glider experiences. Both my mother and I went for a flight and I found that my time on the ground to be just as interesting and informative as the flight itself.
Written July 4, 2016
Hi,
We are staying in the city for 4 days. Is it far for us to get there? Do I have to buy the tickets in advance? 3 ticket: on adult and 2 kids, ages 11 and 13. How much?
Thank you,
Mark
Written August 19, 2015
AndrzejRoznowski
Nanaimo, Canada
Hi Mark,
We are located 8 miles west from the city of Port Alberni at the Alberni Valley Regional Airport. we offer three different flights: 15' 30' and 1 hour long, the prices are: $125.00, $195.00 and $265.00 for more information please call
us at 250-667-3591
You do not have to buy the tickets in advance.
Kind regards,
Andrzej Roznowski CFI
owner/operator VISC Ltd.
Written August 19, 2015
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