Nanaimo is Vancouver Island’s second-largest city, an oceanfront town with mountain views and a busy harbor, home to roughly 75,000 people. Known as the birthplace of the Nanaimo bar and famous for its annual Bathtub Race, the city works well as a coastal base for beaches, island day trips, and easy access to the rest of Vancouver Island.
The Bastion
Right in the Old City Quarter, the Bastion is one of the last remaining outposts of the Hudson’s Bay Company, a mid-19th-century tower where a midday cannon fires at noon. It’s one of the few structures of its kind still standing in North America and sits close to the harbor, making it an easy stop alongside a stroll through downtown.
Nanaimo Museum
Located in the VI Conference Centre, the museum covers Nanaimo’s history and gives a sense of what life was like for the city’s earliest settlers, including its roots as a coal mining town.
Saysutshun (Newcastle Island)
A roughly 10-minute passenger ferry from the Nanaimo waterfront, Newcastle Island is a small, wooded island with beaches, tide pools at low tide, and a bistro serving local seafood. It’s a good half-day trip for walking trails and swimming without needing a car.
Gabriola Island
Known as the “Isle of the Arts,” Gabriola Island is a larger island near Nanaimo Harbour and a good spot to explore the region’s artisan culture, with galleries and studios scattered around the island. It’s reachable by ferry from Nanaimo.
Pipers Lagoon Park & Neck Point Park
Both are waterfront parks on Nanaimo’s coastline, known for walking trails along rocky shoreline and ocean views. They’re popular for an easy hour or two outdoors without needing to leave the city.
Departure Bay Beach
A sandy beach within the city, good for a relaxed afternoon by the water. It’s also near the ferry terminal serving routes to the mainland, so it’s a convenient stop if you’re arriving or departing by boat.
Diving and Marine Life
The waters off Nanaimo are home to colorful multihued reefs around several shipwreck sites, with sightings of octopus, sea lions, and eels, making the area a known destination for cold-water diving.
Old City Quarter & Harbourfront Walkway
The historic Old City Quarter mixes seafood restaurants and teashops around the Bastion, while the harbourfront walkway runs along the water and connects several of the downtown sights, making it easy to combine sightseeing with a walk.
Practical Tips
Nanaimo has a mild climate by Canadian standards, with beaches good for swimming in season. The city is well set up as a ferry hub, with routes to Vancouver and nearby islands, which makes it a practical base for exploring the wider Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island region.
Join The Discussion
Have you explored Nanaimo’s islands or waterfront parks? Share your favorite spots, ferry tips, or local recommendations below.
