Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Nanaimo is the second-largest city on Vancouver Island, set on the island's east coast facing the Strait of Georgia. The land is the territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, and the modern city developed from a Hudson's Bay Company post and a coal-mining boom in the nineteenth century. Today it is a regional hub and a key ferry gateway, with a harbourfront that has steadily become more inviting to visitors.
The Nanaimo Seawall follows the harbour past marinas and floatplane docks to Maffeo Sutton Park and Swy-a-lana Lagoon, a tidal pool popular with families. Above the waterfront stands the Bastion, a wooden tower built by the Hudson's Bay Company, and the Nanaimo Museum covers coal mining and Indigenous history. Departure Bay Beach is a pleasant spot to watch ferries come and go. A short passenger ferry crosses to Newcastle Island, known as Saysutshun, a car-free park with forest loops and shoreline trails, while a car ferry serves rural Gabriola Island. South of the city, Nanaimo River Regional Park offers swimming holes, and WildPlay runs bungee and adventure courses. Coombs, with its famous rooftop goats, makes an easy drive.
Nanaimo works as a starting point for exploring central Vancouver Island and suits budget-minded and outdoor travelers. Summer is ideal, and of course the local Nanaimo bar is worth tracking down.
WiserMap travel guideNanaimo British Columbia Newcastle Island and Nanaimo BarsPlan a Nanaimo trip with a historic Bastion, a harbour seawall, Newcastle Island, Gabriola ferries, outdoor thrills and the original Nanaimo bar.Read the guide
Waterfront park beside downtown with a tidal saltwater lagoon, grassy areas, a playground and the ferry dock to Saysutshun Newcastle Island. It is the busiest spot on the harbour in summer. Combine it with a walk along the seawall.
Waterfront walkway of about 4 km along Nanaimo's harbour, passing marinas, parks, cafes and float planes. It links the downtown waterfront with the Departure Bay area for a pleasant walk or run. Look out for seals and herons along the way.
Sandy family beach in the north of the city, with a promenade, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and views of the BC Ferries terminal. The water is calm and good for swimming at high tide. A cafe and ice cream shop sit across the road.
White wooden fort built by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1853, the oldest building of its kind still standing in its original location in North America. In summer a cannon firing ceremony takes place at noon. It overlooks the harbour downtown.
Museum in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre downtown, covering the Snuneymuxw First Nation, coal mining history and the city's growth. It has a re-created coal mine tunnel. Allow about an hour, and check for walking tours of the old town.
Historic neighbourhood on Fitzwilliam and Selby streets with restored heritage buildings housing boutiques, cafes, bakeries and galleries. It is a pleasant area for browsing, away from the busier waterfront. Parking is easier here than downtown.
Small park just south of the city with ancient rock carvings made by the ancestors of the Snuneymuxw people, showing animals and figures. A short trail leads to the carvings and to casts you can make rubbings from. It is best seen in low, angled light.
Car-free island park just offshore, reached by a short foot ferry in summer, with forest trails, beaches, sandstone cliffs and a campground. It is co-managed with the Snuneymuxw First Nation. A loop walk around the island takes about two to three hours.
Rocky headland and lagoon in north Nanaimo, joined to the shore by a narrow spit, with paths to viewpoints over the Strait of Georgia. It is a popular picnic and sunset spot. Old fishermen's shacks stand on the nearby shore.
Waterfront park in north Nanaimo with trails over rocky points, small pebble beaches and lookouts where seals, sea lions and birds are often seen. It is a good place for tide pooling. Trails are short, but some sections are rocky and uneven.
Adventure park south of the city, famous for its bungy jump from a bridge over the Nanaimo River, plus ziplines and treetop obstacle courses. Book online in advance, especially on summer weekends. Closed-toe shoes are required.
Riverside park southwest of the city with forest trails and river pools, popular for swimming and floating in summer. The water is cold and currents can be strong, so take care. Parking is limited on hot weekends.
No reviews yet. Been to Nanaimo? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Nanaimo? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Doug Hay, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Masterhatch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: wisley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Howard King, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Masterhatch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Aaron Warbrick, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Masterhatch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: KenWalker kgw@lunar.ca, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Masterhatch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Gerry Thomasen from Nanaimo, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Masterhatch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Hanna from Vancouver, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ymblanter, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Doug Hay, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Gerry Thomasen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: AB87, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: AB87, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: AB87, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: AB87, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Cpl. Bobbie Curtis, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Shannon LaBelle - User: (WT-shared) Minnow at wts wikivoyage, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Toriram, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Toriram, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Toriram, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ymblanter, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Gerry Thomasen from Nanaimo, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Kevin JF Martin (user Kjfmartin), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Kristina D.C. Hoeppner from Wellington, New Zealand, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Gerry Thomasen from Nanaimo, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Andie from Nanaimo, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: iwona_kellie, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Darren Kirby from Penticton, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Darren Kirby from Penticton, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Darren Kirby from Penticton, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Howard H. King, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Ymblanter, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ymblanter, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ymblanter, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
