Nanaimo, a lovely city close to the Salish Sea and facing the Coastal Mountains of mainland BC, Canada, is situated in the middle of Vancouver Island’s east coast. So, we’ll tell you about the greatest attractions and things to do in Nanaimo in this travel guide.
1. Is a trip to Nanaimo worthwhile?
The downtown area of this lovely city, which has restaurants, shops, and museums, adds to its appeal even if nature is the main attraction. Whether you are visiting Nanaimo, British Columbia, for business or pleasure, there are a few locations you simply must see.
2. What is Nanaimo, BC, famous for?
A typical West Coast village, Nanaimo offers abundant recreational opportunities and natural beauty at every turn. Nanaimo features one of Canada’s longest coastlines, and just beyond the city are mountains covered in forest.
3. Some interesting facts about Nanaimo, BC
- The Snuneymuxw are the original inhabitants of the region that is now Nanaimo.
- The current name of the city is an anglicized spelling and pronunciation of the term “Snuneymuxw.”
- The annual Nanaimo Marine Festival is held in Nanaimo.
- The Bastion was constructed in 1853 to defend the harbor and its surroundings.
- “The Harbour City” is the nickname for Nanaimo. Due to the original layout design, the city was formerly referred to as the “Hub City.”
- The crew of the Spanish ship Juan Carrasco, under the direction of Francisco de Eliza, was the first Europeans to discover Nanaimo Bay in 1791.
- The 16th of July 1941 saw a temperature of 40.6 °C (105 °F), the highest ever recorded in Nanaimo. On December 30, 1968, a temperature of 20.0 °C (4 °F) was the lowest ever recorded.
4. What are the best attractions and things to do in Nanaimo, BC?
Go on a whale-watching excursion
Taking a whale-watching trip from Nanaimo is one of the loveliest ways to enjoy a sunny day on the water. The breathtaking landscape, which features the mountains of mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island on each side of the strait, also provides an amazing backdrop for the surfacing whales.
It also means that, in contrast to whale viewing excursions on the west side of Vancouver Island, the waters in this 60-kilometer-wide section of the Strait of Georgia between Nanaimo and Vancouver are typically quiet.
Several whale species are seen, but the cruise concentrates on orcas. The group is led by a qualified guide with training in marine biology who shares information about the whales. There are many sightings, and the tour provider promises one or will give you another chance to attempt.
In order to locate pods, the operators cooperate as a team and disseminate information among the boats. Even if you don’t see any whales, this can still be a fun way to spend the day because the tour also includes seeing sea lions and harbor seals.
Walk the Harbourfront Walkway
One factor in this city’s beauty is the Harbourfront Walkway in Nanaimo. This promenade, which extends the entire length of the waterfront beneath Front Street, skirts around parks and other green spaces in some places while being suspended above the coast and ocean in others. Tourist shops, eateries with outdoor patios, docks, boats, and the seaplane base may all also be found along the Harbourfront Walkway.
Here is where whale-watching boats dock. From here, seaplanes fly tourists on 40-minute seaplane tours over the Strait of Georgia with vistas of the Sunshine Coast or to a variety of locations, including Vancouver.
Visit Downtown Nanaimo to shop and eat
The downtown section of Nanaimo has a surprisingly small-town vibe for a community of over 90,000. Along Church Street, Commercial Street, and other streets in the downtown area beyond the Harbourfront Walkway, you’ll also discover interesting boutiques and retail stores, eateries, French pastry shops, and a variety of museums and other attractions.
Besides, the best spot to be if you’re a little peckish in downtown Nanaimo. This little region is also home to approximately 20 eateries that provide food from all around the world.
Scuba dive with seals
All along the coast, harbor seals can be spotted around docks and rocks, but if you want a truly special encounter with these endearing creatures, try going for a swim with them. For these expeditions, which include taking a boat out to a rock island where a colony of harbor seals lives, you must be at least ten years old. This tour is contingent on the weather.
Besides, diving outfitters in the area offer guided tours. You must be able to swim, but no prior swimming experience is required.
Take a Beautiful Sunshine Coast Scenic Flight
Have you ever fantasized about boarding one of those float planes and taking off over the ocean? You’ll get the chance in Nanaimo. The city serves as a hub for float planes that serve the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island’s inaccessible but stunning remote regions.
You’ll fly to and from the small village of Sechelt on the regularly scheduled 20-minute Strait of Georgia Seaplane Tour. You’ll also fly over a ton of little islands on the way, take in the stunning view of the Coast Mountains clad in winter, and, with any luck, sight a few whales.
Besides, you will have one to four hours in Sechelt, depending on the day, to explore this charming seaside town with its seafood restaurants and unique stores. After spending time in Sechelt, you’ll experience the rush of lifting off once more as you soar through the air and fly 20 minutes back to Nanaimo, where you’ll experience the thrilling landing in the heart of the harbor.
Visit the Bastion and the Nanaimo Museum to learn about regional history
The Nanaimo Museum is one of the best attractions in the city. It is a fantastic resource for learning about local history, including the Snunéymuxw culture, the Bastion Era, the history of coal mining, and much more. The museum regularly also brings in special exhibitions from other museums throughout the nation.
The museum was established in 1967, the 100th anniversary of Canada, but in 2008 it relocated to a new location in the Vancouver Island Conference Center in the heart of Nanaimo.
The Bastion, a white wooden tower that towers above Harbourfront Walkway, is another facility run by the Nanaimo Museum. The Hudson’s Bay Company constructed this three-story fort in the middle of the 19th century. It also served as a multifunctional structure for trading, protection, and storage.
Additionally, the Bastion is open to everyone without a fee. It operates as a visitor center during this time and is open from the long weekend in May through Labor Day. Every day at 12:00, a fake cannon is also fired.
Visit Neck Point Park for a Day
Neck Point Park is a great attraction in Nanaimo for nature lovers. Popular activities in this picturesque park include strolling, picnicking, swimming, and scuba diving. The park’s lookouts occasionally provide views of orcas, sea lions, and other marine animals. This tiny peninsula’s shoreline is also walked along for just under two kilometers along a lovely walking path that passes beaches, Garry oaks, Douglas fir, and arbutus trees.
A lookout point atop a tall rock can be found at the far end, between Indian Beach and Last Beach. The tidal zone in front of the lookout is an exposed gravel sandbar at low tide that finishes on a little rock island. This “neck” is where the park gets its name. Divers can also walk in from the neck at this well-liked diving point in the park. Divers depart at Finn Beach, which is close to the parking lot.
Go to Newcastle Island by ferry
From the Harbourfront Walkway, you can view Newcastle Island off to your left as you look over Nanaimo Harbour. The nearby island, officially known as Saysutshun, the Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park, is accessible by walk-on passengers via a small ferry.
Here, history and environment coexist in the form of nature paths, beaches, the remains of a fish saltery, old sandstone quarries, and coal mine sites. With walk-in campsites that are well-liked by families seeking convenient access to nature, this location is also excellent for camping.
Pipers Lagoon Park offers beautiful scenery
Pipers Lagoon Park protrudes into the ocean just to the north of Nanaimo’s central business district, forming a unique tidal flat on the inland side and providing vistas of the Salish Sea from the outside.
Around the little peninsula are walking routes that have high points with views of the cliffs and low parts where you can descend to the water’s edge. Locals love to stroll through or unwind at the park. This can be a wonderful site to visit to get close to the water and conduct a little bit of animal viewing if you are staying in the city center.
Visit the Military Museum on Vancouver Island
The octagonal Vancouver Island Military Museum is perched high above downtown Nanaimo on a hill. Outstanding views may be had of the harbor, the ocean, and the Coastal Mountains from this vantage point. Displays provide visitors a peek into the navy, army, and air force of Canada, as well as the conflicts they have fought in and their contributions to Canadian history.
A wide variety of relics and other artifacts, such as uniforms, guns, models, medals, and other souvenirs, are displayed in the exhibits. There are plenty of volunteers willing to guide you around and answer your questions.
5. How to get to Nanaimo, BC
As you are aware, there are two methods to come to Nanaimo: by plane or by ferry, as it is situated on Vancouver Island.
By car and ferry to Nanaimo
There are two ferry routes that leave from Vancouver, British Columbia, and travel to Nanaimo, including:
- From Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (4 km north of Nanaimo): 1 hour 40 minutes.
- From Tsawwassen to Duke Point (12 km south of Nanaimo): 2 hours.
Taking a plane to Nanaimo
There is a local airport in Nanaimo with direct flights to and from Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto despite the absence of an international airport. It’s pretty convenient since the distance to downtown Nanaimo from the airport is about 10 minutes. You can simply drive, hire a taxi, or take a bus into the city from the airport.
You can fly into Nanaimo in a seaplane from Vancouver in addition to the usual commercial aircraft. This gorgeous 20-minute flight can serve as your transportation and a sightseeing excursion.
6. Transport at Nanaimo
While Vancouver Island may be easily explored on foot, downtown Nanaimo is more accessible if you have a car. You can quickly rent them online, giving you the best chance to see all the numerous attractions and travel to other well-known places like Victoria or Tofino.
Perhaps you won’t need a car if you intend to go within the city or on excursions. Canada, however, is the ideal location for a road trip.
