Nanaimo:
- Discover Nanaimo
Provides extensive connections to the Nanaimo area, plus news, weather and local activities.
Website
- The Bungy Zone
Nanaimo - Call Toll Free: 1-800-668-7771
Experience the ultimate high - 143 feet that is !! from the ONLY legal bridge site in North America 100% custom designed for Bungy Jumping!
Dive straight down from 143 feet, only to be returned 3/4 that height to fall again and again in the classic BUNGY style of jumping. Or try the Ultimate Swing, known as one of the "most terrifying rides" in North America with speeds up to 140 km/h.
Website
- Nanaimo Community Hatchery
Beck Road, Nanaimo
Turn left onto Beck Road (@ Cassidy Inn) and follows signs to chinook, chum & coho salmon hatchery.
Open Year Round
- Nanaimo Lakes
Nanaimo Lakes Road; fishing, camping and wildlife viewing. Access via Nanaimo Lakes Road, 20 km west of the Island Highway and Thatcher Road. Consists of a chain of four lakes .
- Petroglyph Provincial Park
Trails to native rock carvings believed to be over 10,000 years old.
More Info
- Nanaimo Centennial Museum
100 Cameron Street, Nanaimo (adjacent to Piper's Park)
753-1821
Open Daily: May to September
Human and natural history of Nanaimo and area. Includes a coal mine, pioneer town, Chinese gallery and a reconstructed miner's cottage in Piper's Park.
Website
- The Bastion
Corner of Bastion & Front Streets, Downtown Nanaimo
Open Daily: July to September 1st
Part of the Hudson Bay Company's original fort from 1850 - 1880, the Bastion offers a collection of memorabilia and archives from that period.
Website
- Swylana Lagoon Park
Waterfront, Downtown Nanaimo
Canada's first man-made tidal lagoon, featuring a swimming area, playground and picnic grounds.
- Morrell Wildlife Sanctuary
Nanaimo Lakes Road at Dogwood
Eleven km of walking trails, interpretive walks, beaver habitats, Pacific Coast forests. Nature centre is open weekends and daily in July & August.
Website
- Nanaimo Art Gallery & Exhibition Centre
Located at Malaspina College
900-5th Street, Nanaimo
Website
- Pacific Biological Station
Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo
One of the largest fisheries research centres in Canada. Visitors Welcome.
Website
- Port Theatre
The theatre is a focal point for residents and visitors alike, offering a broad range of cultural events designed to meet many diverse interests and needs. Programs involve local groups as well as touring attractions and provide access to events for families, seniors, youths and adults, thereby enriching the overall quality of life in the region.
A landmark on the city's waterfront, The Port Theatre also serves as an important meeting place for a wide variety of community events, business seminars and educational conferences. By the year 2003, it is projected that over 250 events will be held in the theatre each year attracting over 125,000 people.
Website
- Vancouver Island Symphony
The Vancouver Island Symphony is currently in its Tenth Season as one of Canada's youngest symphony orchestras. The Vancouver Island Symphony is based is Nanaimo, British Columbia on Vancouver Island and serves the Central Vancouver Island region with patrons coming from Duncan, Chemainus, Ladysmith, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Gabriola Island and Nanaimo. The VIS performs at The Port Theatre, which is located in downtown Nanaimo on the waterfront.
Website
- Newcastle Island Provincial Marine Park
Catch foot passenger ferry from Swylana Lagoon Park in central Nanaimo several times daily from early May to mid-October. The Island has quite a history, including the years between 1931 and 1955, when The Canadian Pacific Railways purchased the island and operated it as a pleasure resort, building a dance pavilion, tea house and other facilities. The pavilion, located near the ferry dock, has now been restored and is used for cultural entertainment, displays, a restaurant and equipment rental. The remains of the sandstone quarry can also still be seen.
The 336-hectare park offers an island shoreline dominated by steep sandstone cliffs and ledges, punctuated by beaches. Caves and caverns exist along the shoreline and provide a marked contrast to the interior of the island, studded with Douglas fir, arbutus, Garry oak and dogwood trees. Visitors can spend the day walking, hiking or cycling along an extensive trail system, or take 2-1/2 hours off to walk around the island (8 km). Swimming, picnicking and wildlife viewing are favourite pastimes on Newcastle Island. The tidal stream is a favourite feeding ground for raccoon and river otter.
Website
- Bowen Park
Enter off Comox Road, Nanaimo
This 36 hectare park situated in the centre of Nanaimo offers picnicking, hiking, waterfall, duck pond, fish ladder, a childrens' barnyard and petting zoo (July & August), totem poles, interpretive nature centre and Rhododendron Grove displaying over 350 different species, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, horseshoe pitches, a lawn bowling green and covered picnic shelters.
- Long Lake Park
Located just north of Country Club Mall. Swimming, picnicking & fishing (12 + under).
- Brannen Lake
Jinglepot and Biggs Road, Nanaimo
Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout up to 5 pounds. Private campgrounds. Take Dunster Road west of the Nanaimo Parkway to Brannen Lake.
- Lantzville
Rural community adjacent to North Nanaimo offers public beaches and swimming, picturesque views and charming village area of shops and services. Good view of sea lions in February.
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- Westwood Lake
Access from Westwood Road in Southwest Nanaimo.
Six km of trails surround the lake for hiking and cyclists in this 106 hectare park and offer plenty of opportunities to spot local wildlife. There's a boat ramp (electric motors only) and the lake is stocked with cut-throat trout, plus swimming and picnicking facilities are available at the end of the lake, near the parking lot.
Website
- Great Canadian Casino
620 Terminal Avenue, Nanaimo
753-3033
Website
- ButterTubs Marsh
Jinglepot Road, Nanaimo
Spend a few peaceful hours strolling the 4.5 km of walking trails circling this 18 hectare bird and wildlife sanctuary.
Website
- Neck Point
Access from Hammond Bay Road, Northeast Nanaimo
Visit this 14.5 hectare waterfront park for picturesque ocean views and plants in their natural habitat.
- Piper's Lagoon Park
Access from Hammond Bay Road, Northeast Nanaimo
A favorite with locals, Piper's Lagoon is built on an isthmus and includes a sandy beach for swimming, strolling and beachcombing, and an elevated rocky point with picturesque twisted oaks that invite you to stay awhile to enjoy the outstanding views.
- Cyber City Adventures
A great place for the kids - Laser tag, arcade, go-karts, mini golf & more! Located in Central Nanaimo at 1815 Bowen Road. Phone: 755-1828.
More Info
- Scuba Diving
Welcome to one of the world’s top dive destinations.
If it’s breath-taking marine life you want to encounter then scuba diving Nanaimo and Vancouver Island the place to come to. The diversity of our marine environment includes a variety of animals such as the world's largest species of octopus, playful wolfeels, sea lions, seals and thousands of different fish and invertebrates.
Website
- Calico Cat Teahouse
Just off Island Highway at Haliburton
Reservations required -- please phone 754-3865. Lunch and Dinner available. Enjoy a reading by their resident tea leaf reader.
- The Sheep Shed
Turn left onto Quennel Road, (There's a "Sheep Shed" sign to help you) and go on until you come to Giovando Rd. (and another SS sign). Turn left, and we are the first driveway on your left. (2980 Giovando Rd., Nanaimo)
This is an operating sheep farm, with traditional-style Registered Suffolk Sheep, Navajo Churro Sheep, Nubian and Cashmere Goats as well as Canada's only flock of Registered Miniature Coloured Romney Sheep ("The Wee Ones"). There is also a good variety of smaller, more pettable, critters and a Wool Shop and Gift Cottage.
Website
- Sea Kayaking Adventures
Barkeley Sound: The many beaches of the "Broken Islands" are situated on the edge of the west coast of Vancouver Island. Four days of exploration by sea kayak visit the lagoons, beaches and rainforests of Barkley Sound. From the humblest sea starfish to the amazing display of Steller Sea Lions or Gray Whale, this trip is sure to keep you spellbound.
Discovery Expeditions, Nanaimo
Phone Toll Free: (888) 756-0099
Website
- Nanaimo Yacht Charters
SuperNatural B.C.'s inland waters provide a world class cruising experience. From the Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast and on to the magnificent Desolation Sound. Hundreds of Islands, Coves, Anchorages & Marinas will make travelling our 26000 km coast line an unforgetable experience. Nanaimo Yacht Charters & Sailing School is a small family operated charter company and boating instruction school certified by the Canadian Yachting Association.
Offering Charters to Desolation Sound and the Gulf Islands - Experience the magic of Desolation Sound or... explore the Southern Gulf Islands. Sail away with no worries. Nanaimo Yacht Charters provides skippered charters for parties of 2-6 persons. Three, five or seven day charters to the destination of your choice are available.
Harbour Cruises - Join their experienced skippers aboard a sail yacht. Their cruises are 2.5 - 3 hours, with many options available. Explore Nanaimo's harbour or sail into the Strait of Georgia.
Website
Heading North:
- Rathtrevor Provincial Park
Phone: (250) 248-3931
Located on Pacific Ocean just south of Parksville on Island Hwy. Offers sandy beaches, swimming, hiking, fully serviced campsites.
Website
- Camping Reservations
Phone: (250) 248-3931
Secure your spot at some BC Parks and Parks Canada campgrounds - reservations can be made up to 3 months in advance.
On-line Reservation Service
- Nanoose Bay Go-Karts & Family Fun Park
Located just north of Nanaimo at 1666 Island Highway, Nanoose Bay. Phone 468-9209 for more information.
- Miracle Beach Provincial Park
Just past Courtenay (east coast north of Qualicum Beach)
Several species of crabs and seabirds inhabit the shoreline in this area and almost 200 plant species have been identified.
- Horne Lake Caverns
61 km north of Nanaimo, then turn west at Horne Lake Road and travel to Park at western end of lake.
Learn about the fascinating geology and history of these amazing caverns. The Family Tour starts with a 25 minute hike to the entrance along the Karst Trail. While exploring the larger and easier passages of Riverbend Cave, visitors are treated to beautiful crystal formations and ancient fossils. There are no crawls or tight passages involved in this tour.
Also offers self-guided tours. *Take a flashlight.
Visit the Horne Lake Caverns Web Site
- Big Qualicum River Fisheries
Turn west at sign on north side of Big Qualicum River Bridge. Open daily year round, dawn to dusk. 100,000+ salmon return to hatchery annually. Offers educational displays and self-guiding tour.
- Milner Gardens
Milner Gardens and Woodland has evolved from the vision of the garden’s founders and creators, Ray and Veronica Milner. Of the total 28 hectare (70 acre) Milner Garden and Woodland property, 4 hectares (10 acres) is developed garden, 24 hectares (60 acres) is forest. The property includes a swimming pool and pool house, tennis court and cottage.
The garden lies on the sheltered eastern shore of Vancouver Island and is protected from severe weather conditions sweeping in from the Pacific Ocean by Mt. Arrowsmith to the west. It is further protected by the mild Japanese current. Summers are warm and winters are mild.
Many rooms of the house are open for public viewing including the dining room, sitting room, library and drawing room. Historical photos and artifacts are on display including mementos of visits by members of the Royal Family. The Milner House is open for viewing during regular garden hours. It is wheelchair accessible, including handicap washrooms. Located in
Qualicum Beach, which is approximately one hour north of Nanaimo, at 2179 West Island Highway.
Visit Website
- French Creek
40 km north of Nanaimo
Marina, campgrounds, fishing charters. French Creek is known for fresh seafood sold from commercial fishing boats.
- Qualicum Beach
Spend a delightful morning strolling through the many unique shops in Qualicum Beach Village, then visit the sandy beach nearby for a relaxing afternoon at the seaside.
- Old School House Gallery and Art Centre
122 Fern W. Road
Qualicum Beach
Open daily: July to mid-September & Mon. to Sat. remainder of year
This is a non-profit cultural centre where artists, painters, printmakers, carvers, weavers, jewellers, photographers, and crafts makers apply their skills. Also offers a public gallery featureing the work of local, regional and national artists.
- Little Qualicum River
51 km north of Nanaimo
Hiking, good fishing and viewing of eagles here.
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