Tourism Nanaimo | Your Guide to Exploring Nanaimo, BC

Skip the predictable. Break Spring, Nanaimo Style.

Nanaimo isnʼt about pool loungers or packed itineraries. Itʼs about memories that stick – muddy boots, cold-water courage, sunsets that stop you in your springy tracks.

Three women sit at a picnic table at a busy outdoor summer market. One playfully sticks out her tongue toward her friend while another smiles and gestures toward the camera.

WHY NANAIMO?

Attracting pathfinders, creators and independent thinkers, drawn to places with character and edge.

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Downtown

Nanaimo’s downtown is a lively, character-filled hub where local flavour, creativity, and coastal energy come together. Stroll the waterfront through Maffeo Sutton Park and along the Harbourfront Walkway, hop over to Saysutshun, catch live entertainment after dark, and browse unique shops lining Commercial Street.

South

Where residential Nanaimo first took root, South Nanaimo blends original character homes with modern touches, plenty of green space, and an eclectic, lived-in feel. Explore lakeside trails at Colliery Dam, family-friendly parks, and ancient carvings at Petroglyph Park before settling in at a local neighbourhood spot.

Central

Central Nanaimo brings together classic waterfront living, sandy beaches, forested trails, and some of the region’s top mountain biking terrain for a true outdoor playground. Spend your day beach-hopping, paddling Westwood Lake, or taking in sweeping views from Sugar Loaf or Te’tuxwtun (Mount Benson).

Stadium

Nanaimo’s Stadium District is home to a diverse selection of indoor and outdoor sporting venues for both para- and able-bodied sport, creating a hub for year-round competition, training, and recreation. From multi-use fields and arenas to accessible facilities designed for all levels of play, it’s a place where sport and community come together.

Old Quarter

Sitting just steps from downtown, The Old City Quarter is where heritage charm meets a distinctly local, independent spirit. Once Nanaimo’s economic centre, it’s now a go-to for one-of-a-kind shopping, vibrant storefronts, and a mix of experiences that invite you to browse, linger, and maybe stay a little longer than planned.

Saysutshun

Steep yourself in cultural experiences, historical landmarks and unspoiled nature on Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park). With 22km of trails to explore, sandy beaches to relax on, colourful sea life clinging to the rocky shorelines and a resident Racoon family (including rare albino Racoon), Saysutshun invites you to leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind.

Protection island

Protection Island is a small, primarily residential island just minutes from Nanaimo, offering a peaceful, car-free escape with coastal views and a 4km loop trail to explore. Rich in history and local character, it’s best experienced at a slower pace, with a stop at Dinghy Dock Pub for skyline views you won’t forget.

Gabriola Island

Just a 20-minute ferry from Nanaimo, Gabriola Island offers a creative, easygoing escape shaped by deep Indigenous history, a thriving arts community, and a landscape that feels anything but ordinary. From sandstone formations and forested trails to local markets, studios, and festivals, it’s the kind of place that invites you to explore, slow down, and stay a little longer.

Cedar

Cedar offers a slower pace just south of the city, where a quaint village centre meets rolling farmland, artisan studios, and scenic backroads perfect for exploring. Explore the Cedar Market, stretch your legs at Hemer Provincial Park, and settle into a countryside rhythm that feels a little more off the beaten path.

North

North Nanaimo blends everyday convenience with easy access to the outdoors, where shopping, residential life, and natural escapes all sit side by side. From sandy beaches and coastal viewpoints at Pipers Lagoon Park and Neck Point Park to the forested trails of Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park, it’s a place where you can browse, explore, and recharge all in one trip.

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