Why Visit Nanaimo?
Nanaimo is the gateway to scenic central and northern Vancouver Island, including Parksville, Courtenay, Campbell River, Port Alberni, Tofino, and Ucluelet. Nanaimo has ferry access to both Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) and Tsawwassen (Delta)
Nanaimo is Vancouver island’s second biggest city, with a population of 76,000. It lies on the Trans-Canada Highway #1 about 110 km N of Victoria, 85 km E of Port Alberni and 210 km E of Tofino on scenic Hghway 4, and up Island Highway #19: 110 km SE of Courtenay
Highway 1 from Victoria leaves Vancouver Island at the northern end of the downtown waterfront at Departure Bay to BC Ferries to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver (watch for Highway signs marking “Departure Bay and Trans-Canada Highway 1”) , and at southern end of the waterfront at Duke Point to Tsawwassen / Delta (watch highway exit for “Duke Point” and Island Highway 19). There is also a passenger-only HarbourLynx high speed ferry that leaves right from downtown, You can also catch a ferry to Gabriola Island, which lies just offshore.
The city was originally the site of five Native villages who called the gathering place “Snenymo” or “great and mighty people”. The harbour was discovered by Spanish Captain Narvaez in 1791, and was visited a year later by Captain George Vancouver. The Hudson’s Bay Company’s discovery of coal in the area in 1851 helped the town grow quickly, and in 1874 it incorporated to become BC’s third oldest municipality.
The tiny community safeguarded itself against attack by building the Bastion in Nanaimo’s boat basin. Completed in 1853, it served as a storage space, a defence arsenal, and a clerk’s office. It was used for running the township, with cannons at the ready.
Unfortunately, in the 1930s, the importance of oil led to coal’s decline. In 1911 the Japanese established a settlement on Newcastle Island that included a successful ship building factory three herring salteries and a cannery, which packed salted herring for shipment to the Orient. A spectacular and controversial fire destroyed the settlement in 1960.
By 1938 mining was replaced by logging as the major industry in the region, and a pulp and paper mill was constructed near Duke Point,and Nanaimo’s economy has since diversified evn further. Nanaimo is now known as the “Harbour City”. With two dozen parks nestled around two harbours, the city has one of the most beautiful waterfronts in the country. The heavy industries that once dominated Nanaimo’s waterfront are moving to locations away from downtown.
Festival | Date | Details |
| Chinese New Year | late January | Nanaimo District Museum |
| Nanimo Beer Festival | early April | Beban Park |
| Vancouver Island Festival for Young Audiences | mid May | various locations |
| Empire Days Celebration | late May | Swy-A-L:ana Lagoon, downtown |
| Canada Day | July 1 | Maffeo Sutton park, downtown |
| Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival | mid July | Swy-A-L:ana Lagoon, downtown |
| Bathtubs & Ballyhoo Street Fair | mid July | Commercial Street |
| Bathtub Race | late July | Nanaimo Harbour waterfront |
| Seafood Chowder Cook-off | early Aug | Pioneer Plaza |
| Vncovuer Island Exhibition | late August | Beban Park |
| Annual Casns Food Festival | early September | Old City Quarter 250-754-8787 |
| Infringing Dance Festival | mid September | various locations, downtown |
| InGST Film Festival | end October | The Bay Theatre |
| Wine Festival | end Octoer | Beban Park |
| Festival of Trees | end Nov | Beban Park |
This 4 km long walkway between Harbour Park Mall and Departure Bay Terminal gives views of Newcastle, Protection and Gabriola Islands. The walkway passes the Bastion and the Nanaimo District Museum as well as several park areas.
100 Museum Way
250-753-1821
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Discover Nanaimo^s fascinating history & modern day contributions to Canada^s West Coast in our 1,486 sq m (16,000 sq ft) museum located in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Stroll through time in our main gallery to get a sense of what life was like for Nanaimo^s earliest settlers & hear stories of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Feel what it was like below the surface in our replica Coal Mine exhibit. The museum also manages the Bastion, an original Hudson^s Bay Company outpost built in 1853.
corner of Bastion and Front Streets
250-754-1631
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The Bastion, built in 1853 as an original Hudson’s Bay Company outpost is now a museum that gives great insight into the way of life a century ago. Historic cannons are fired daily at noon throughout the summer.
around downtown
250-754-8787
The Nanaimo Courthouse was built in 1896, the Palace Hotel in 1889, and Bygone Books in the 1911-vintage Dakin Building.
in Beban Park (May-Oct), 2300 Bowen Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9T 3K7
inside the Centennial Building (Oct-May)
250-753-9900
April – October
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Nanaimo’s Only Year-Round Farmers’ Market operating every Wednesday from 3:00pm-6:00pm in Beban Par
100 Comox Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9R 3H7
(250) 756-5200
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This saltwater lagoon creates an interesting marine habitat beside this park, often used for the site of harbourside festivals. The park also has a concert pavillion, playground, and several totem poles, and stunning waterfront views.
620 Terminal Ave
1-877-GREAT-18
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Late-night casino featuring table games & slot machines, plus a restaurant & regular entertainment.
668 Centre Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 4Z4
1-866-788-6243
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Newcastle Island became a Provincial Marine Park in 1961, after the city of Nanaimo acquired the island from the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1955. Take the hourly paddlewheel passenger-ferry to the 750 acre provincial park on Newscastle Island has 18 km of trails for cycling or walking (inlcuding a 7 km trail following the shoreline). Swimming, bird watching and camping are also activities in this park.
Fares: Adults $7.00, Children & Seniors $6.00, Family (Mom, Dad, Children 12 & under) $20.00, Bikes $2.00,
Children under 4 ride free, and well-bahaved & leashed dogs ride free.
at the north end of downtown
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Along the walkway toward Fisherman’s Wharf. There is also Lighthouse Bistro, which looks like a lighthouse. Area “A” is in the inner harbour adjacent to the W.E. Mills Landing and Area “B” is in Departure Bay adjacent to the BC Ferry Departure Bay Terminal.
Hwy 19, Nanaimo C, BC
(Just off the Horne Lake Road)
(250) 474-1336
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This is a smaller day-use park with fishing (its stocked with small mouthed bass and trout), a sandy beach ideal for kayaks and canoes. No motorized craft allowed on this lake. The warm water of Spider Lake is noted for its excellent canoeing, kayaking and swimming and the park is perfect for a quiet family outing.
100 Cameron Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9R 0C8
(250) 753-3814
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This museum showcases Vancouver Island military traditions, with an impressive collection of military memorabilia and artifacts from the War of 1812 right through to Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan. Open Monday to Saturday.
