Nanaimo, BC, Canada
Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Nanaimo

Nanaimo is located on central Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. It is a full service destination for marine travel and highway travel when exploring the island. The waterfront community, also referred to as the "Harbour City", is a popular adventure destination for many activities and adventures.

Some of the more popular activities enjoyed when visiting Nanaimo include boating, sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, hiking, golfing, cycling, mountain biking, wind surfing, canoeing, off roading, camping and birdwatching. Many activities can be enjoyed year round as Nanaimo rarely sees any snow fall.

There are marinas and boat launches located up and down the coast. The beautiful scenery and availability of marine services attracts many to the region for sailing, kayaking, fishing and boating. Some stay to fish for salmon and halibut while others may want to explore the nearby islands, passages and reefs.

Because Nanaimo is situated on the inside passage of the island fronting the Strait of Georgia it is an ideal environment for waterfront parks. All the ocean parks are well maintained, provide fantastic scenery and have picnic sites and hiking trails. Some of the more visited marine parks in the region include Neck Point, Pipers Lagoon and Newcastle Island.

Just off the coast of Nanaimo are a few island destinations like Newcastle. Each offers a different experience and provides different services. Protection and Newcastle Islands are accessed by small pedestrian-only ferries. Both islands are explored on foot. Gabriola Island is more developed and is accessed by a vehicle ferry.

Nanaimo is a major transportation route for the island. Duke Point Ferry Terminal - servicing the mainland - and the Nanaimo Airport are located south of the community. Departure Bay Ferry Terminal - servicing the mainland and Sunshine Coast - is located in the heart of Nanaimo. And both Highway #1 and Highway #19A travel through Nanaimo.

The downtown core of Nanaimo and the north end shopping district of Nanaimo are very different. Downtown is historic and holds a nautical past. There are small shops and specialty stores lining the streets. Many businesses housed in older buildings - some with historic value like the Port Theatre, District Museum, Art Gallery and Bastion Square. While on the north end there are strip malls, shopping centres and big box stores.

Nanaimo has all the services important to travelers like accommodations, banks, restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, tours, guides, marinas, gas stations, internet, laundromat, post office, campgrounds and shopping.