Uncover Nanaimo’s layers.
It’s the many options from sea to sky that attract visitors to Nanaimo, where pedals push you over trails and the soles of your boots take you down to the base of rainforest waterfalls. And yet all will find the stillness to rejuvenate when kicking back on the beach to watch the ferry dock, or enjoying a cold handmade beverage at one of 4 craft breweries.
When you’re ready to feel the ocean air, set sail from Nanaimo’s harbour—one of Vancouver Island’s most industrious and beautiful ports—on a catamaran, fishing boat or hovercraft. It’s just one of the ways to catch a glimpse of Nanaimo’s locals—the wildlife of British Columbia who call the Salish Sea home. Get up close and personal with the harbour seals when you dive off Snake Island with a knowledgeable guide.
Top 10 Things to Do
Our ten classic must-dos while visiting Nanaimo: think biting into our signature treat or sailing down our single-track!
Plan Your Trip
Our curated itineraries will kick start your vacation planning.
Nanaimo Stories
Meet our locals & hear their stories.
What to Do
All
Activities
Art, History and Culture
Beach, Boating and Water
Festivals and Events
Gabriola Island
History, Culture, and Shopping
Island Hopping
Nanaimo Bar Trail
Outdoor Adventures
Sip and Savour
Minnoz Restaurant & Lounge
Longwood Brew Pub & Restaurant
Wheatsheaf Pub & Liquor Store
Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
Westwood Lake RV Camping & Cabins
The Shoppes at Gallery Row
Eve Olive Vegan Restaurant
Nanaimo Downtown Farmers Market
Bees Knees Community Café
Wildwood – Ecoforestry Institute Society
Lighthouse Bistro and Pub
Miracle Mile Limousine and Sight Seeing Tours
Old City Quarter Association
Kool & Child: Kool Toys & Teaching Tools!
Burnt Honey Dessert Company
City of Nanaimo Parks & Recreation
McNabs Corn Maze & Produce Farm
Kleijn Nurseries and Garden Centre
Serious Coffee Commercial Street
Fredrich’s Honey Farm & Shop
Days Inn Nanaimo Harbourview
Horne Lake Caves & Outdoor Centre
Descanso Bay Regional Park
Gabriola Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre
Newfoundland to Nanaimo Canadian Gift & Souvenir Store
Lobelia’s Lair Metaphysical Treasures
Silva Bay Kayak Adventures
Penny’s Palapa Floating Mexican Restaurant
Tracks Outdoor Adventures INC
Regional District of Nanaimo
St. Jean’s Cannery & Smokehouse
New York Style Pizza & Pasta
North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
The Bold Knight Restaurant
Brechin Lanes and Escapism Escape Rooms
Living Forest Oceanside RV & Campground
Nanaimo North Town Centre
Vancouver Island Military Museum
Waterfront Suites & Marina
Vancouver Island Symphony
Coastal Blue Adventures Ltd.
Neck Point Röming Game – Island Römer Adventures
Ride the Glide Segway Tours
Hearthstone Artisan Bakery
Vancouver Island Whale Watch – Nanaimo, BC
Silva Bay Resort & Marina
Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park
Saysutshun (Newcastle) Island
Baby Salsa Mexican Restaurant
Cheers Cowichan Tours and Transport
Island Roots Farmers’ Market
Chateau Wolff Estate Winery & Vineyard
Yonder Wood Country Store
GERTIE – Gabriola’s Community Bus
Vancouver Island Expeditions
Wild Heart Adventures Sea Kayak Tours
