Yeah, I spend a lot of my time on the Island, and this seems to have become more of an issue since AC cut capacity in the west. Last month, I had a trip to YOW on a Sunday, and it was $550 cheaper to go YVR-YOW than YYJ-YVR-YOW, with the same YOW flight. I ended up booking Harbour, who are awesome, but as the OP mentioned, can sometimes be an adventure. I've had about 5 flights that I'd classify as pretty nautical this winter.

I don't know what it is with this coming weekend in particular, but everything is jammed off this rock on Sunday and Monday, both on Westjet and AC. Those Harbour Air prices above are insane...you can generally book right up to day of for less than $200. I guess spring golf trips and such, although jokes on those guys...it's freezing here this week.

It's going to be a problem that continues to get worse. Hopefully these new guys with the fast ferry from Nanaimo to DT Van can make a go of it.