Respect & Explore the Nanaimo Region

Your guide to respectfully experiencing Nanaimo, Saysutshun & Gabriola Island

Exploring the Nanaimo Region means stepping into a place where nature, culture, and community come together in ways you’ll feel long after you leave. From the shores of Saysutshun to the sandstone cliffs of Gabriola and the bustling harbourfront of Nanaimo, every trail, tide pool, and cultural space has a story. As visitors, we get to enjoy these experiences, but also share in the responsibility of protecting them.

This guide is here to help you travel respectfully and sustainably, while experiencing the very best our region has to offer. A few thoughtful choices go a long way, and together, we can ensure these lands and waters remain vibrant for generations to come.

Respecting Local Culture

Visiting Nanaimo is about more than good food, windy trails, and ocean views. It’s also a chance to experience a living culture, one that has shaped this land since time immemorial. As guests here, each of us plays a role in honouring the people and traditions that make this region what it is, and it doesn’t take much to show respect.

Cultural sites and artworks hold deep meaning for local Nations, so it’s important to explore them thoughtfully. Petroglyphs, for example, are sacred records of history and identity. While it’s exciting to witness these ancient carvings up close, photographing, tracing, or etching on them can damage the stone and disrespect their significance. The same care goes for local artifacts, no matter how small they may seem. Shells, tools, pottery fragments, and stones are part of a larger story, and the best way to preserve them is to leave everything exactly where it is. When in doubt, asking questions is always welcome. Cultural hosts, guides, and community members are often happy to share what spaces, stories, and experiences are appropriate for visitors.

Another way to support the communities who call this region home is simply through the choices you make while exploring. Shopping from local artists, dining at locally owned restaurants, and booking tours with cultural guides help ensure that the economic benefits of tourism stay in the community.

Supporting Local Communities

One of the most meaningful ways to explore is to choose businesses and experiences owned or led by local people.

Book a tour with a cultural guide
Shop from local artists and makers
Dine at restaurants serving locally sourced foods

Looking for ways to connect? Start here:

Snuneymuxw First Nation
City of Nanaimo
Find festivals, markets, live shows, community gatherings, and more through the Tourism Nanaimo Events Calendar.
Gabriola Island
Explore the Gabriola Island Events Calendar for gallery openings, artisan markets, cultural workshops, and seasonal celebrations.

Supporting Local Economic Development

Your choices as a traveller matter. From shopping small to booking cultural experiences, every dollar spent locally makes a difference. The Petroglyph Development Group helps support Snuneymuxw-owned businesses, build local employment, and grow economic opportunities rooted in culture and community.

Conserve & Protect Our Waters

On the coast, water isn’t just a resource. It’s the rhythm of life. It shapes our shoreline, feeds our forests, sustains wildlife, and keeps communities thriving. Here in Nanaimo, Gabriola Island, and Saysutshun, fresh water is precious, and protecting it ensures these places remain healthy and vibrant for generations to come.

Visitors play an important role in that stewardship. Simple choices can make a meaningful difference, especially on islands where water systems are limited. Keeping showers short, for example, helps conserve freshwater reserves that residents and visitors rely on. The same goes for laundry. If you’re only staying a night or two, skipping the extra wash is an easy way to reduce water use and lighten the load on local infrastructure.

These may feel like small habits, but collectively they protect ecosystems, support communities, and preserve the natural beauty that makes this region so special. When we treat water with care, we help ensure that the rivers keep flowing, the wells stay full, and the coast stays lush long into the future.

Sustainable Travel Practices

From our scenic walkways to our convenient bike rentals, there are plenty of ways to explore without a carbon footprint. Hop on a bus with a convenient transport pass for the duration of your stay, or catch Gertie, the friendly community bus on Gabriola Island. Prefer something more flexible? Try using a car share app for easy access to local wheels. Let’s keep things green and safe while enjoying your stay!

Stay, Play & Leave No Trace

One of the greatest gifts of exploring Nanaimo, Gabriola Island, Saysutshun, and the surrounding region is that so much of it still feels wild. Towering forests, quiet shorelines, moss-covered trails, and oceanside viewpoints create a landscape that’s worth protecting, and every visitor plays a part in keeping it that way.

Following Leave No Trace principles is one of the most meaningful ways to help. A few simple habits make a big difference:

Pack out everything you bring in – including biodegradable items like fruit peels and food scraps. Even natural waste can attract wildlife and disrupt local ecosystems.
Stick to designated trails – Veering off-path can damage plant life, widen trails, and cause erosion that takes years to repair.
Respect all posted signage – These markers protect sensitive habitats and help keep everyone safe.
Keep the volume down – Amplified sound can disturb wildlife and interrupt the serenity others came to enjoy. If you’d like music on the trail or beach, headphones are the way to go.

These small actions help ensure the forests stay lush, the beaches stay clean, and the quiet magic of our region remains intact for future visitors. Leave only footprints, take only memories, and help keep Nanaimo’s natural spaces thriving for generations to come.

The Road Less Travelled

Sure, the popular spots get the spotlight, but some of the best memories in the Nanaimo Region are found where the crowds aren’t. Tucked-away beaches, quiet coves, mossy forest trails, and lesser-known viewpoints offer space to breathe, explore, and connect with nature at your own pace. Whether you’re wandering Gabriola’s sandstone shoreline, paddling around Saysutshun, or hiking in Nanaimo’s backwoods, there’s a whole world beyond the main attractions.

Choosing these lesser-known places is more than just peaceful; it’s protective. When visitors spread out across the region, it helps:

Reduce overcrowding at sensitive natural sites
Protect fragile ecosystems from overuse
Support small, local businesses that may sit outside the busy downtown core

If you’re not sure where to start, the Nanaimo Visitor Centre is your best adventure partner. Staff can recommend trails, viewpoints, beaches, and quiet corners based on tides, weather conditions, accessibility, and your preferred activity level. Swing by, ask questions, and let the locals point you toward something extraordinary that might not be everybody’s first stop.

Respect the Wild

From eagles circling overhead to harbour seals sunning on the rocks, the Nanaimo Region is teeming with wildlife. Whether you’re exploring the forests, beaches, or open ocean, every encounter is a reminder that we’re sharing space with creatures who call this place home. Protecting them starts with watching responsibly.

Wildlife Watching 101

The best wildlife encounters are the ones that don’t disturb the animals at all.

Observe from a distance – binoculars and zoom lenses allow for incredible views without getting too close.
No feeding or interacting – human food can make animals sick, change their behaviour, and put both people and wildlife at risk. The most respectful thing we can do is let wild things stay wild.

Protect & Report

Learning about the species that live here, especially those that are threatened or at risk, helps us understand how to protect their habitats. If you come across an animal that appears injured or in distress, don’t approach it. Instead, contact local wildlife response teams who know how to help safely:

On Gabriola Island, reach out to GROWLS (Gabriola Rescue of Wildlife Society).
In Nanaimo or on Saysutshun, call the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington for advice before acting.

Protecting Our Oceans

Beneath the surface of Nanaimo’s waterfront lies an entire world of life. Kelp forests, starfish, shellfish beds, fish nurseries, and migrating whales. These ecosystems are delicate, interconnected, and easily damaged without careful stewardship.

Ocean Etiquette

Avoid touching marine life, corals, or tidal critters. Even a gentle tap can harm sensitive species.
Use reef-safe sunscreen to keep chemicals out of the water and preserve underwater habitats.

Boating Practices

From kayaks to sailboats to small motorcraft, every vessel has a responsibility to protect the ocean:

Follow marked marine routes to avoid damaging seabeds and fragile ecosystems.
Give whales and marine mammals space. Keep a safe distance to reduce stress and minimize disruption to their feeding and migration patterns.

When we treat the land, sea, and animals with care, we help ensure this region’s wild beauty thrives for locals, for visitors, and for the generations who will explore it next.

Key Contacts & Safety Tips

Whether you’re heading out for a coastal hike, a backcountry adventure, or a quiet day exploring around town, it’s important to be prepared. Pack the essentials, plan ahead, and bring tools like a map, compass, or GPS if you’re venturing beyond marked trails. Cell service can be limited in some areas, so having backup navigation offers extra peace of mind.

If something goes wrong, knowing who to call can make all the difference:

Emergency Services

Dial 911 for immediate assistance in the event of an emergency.

Park Rangers

For concerns in provincial parks or protected areas, contact BC Parks.
1.800.689.9025 | ParkInfo@gov.bc.ca

Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP)

To report environmental violations, wildlife harassment, or illegal dumping, contact RAPP.
1.877.952.7277

Visitor Centres

Need local advice, trail conditions, or want to report an incident? The Nanaimo Visitor Centre team is here to help.
- 250.751.1556 | info@tourismnanaimo.com
On Gabriola Island? The Gabriola Island Visitor Centre Team can assist.
- 250.247.9332

For more information on respectful travel, cultural practices, events, and visitor resources throughout the region, visit:

With preparation, care, and a little local knowledge, your visit will be both memorable and safe for you, and for the places you explore.

Travelling respectfully doesn’t require perfection, just awareness, curiosity, and a willingness to care for the places we adventure through. Whether you’re supporting local businesses, packing out your picnic, giving wildlife space, or learning about the culture that’s been here since time immemorial, every action makes a difference.

By exploring responsibly, you’re helping to protect the beauty, history, and community that make Nanaimo, Saysutshun, and Gabriola Island so special. So get outside, wander with intention, and leave this place just as incredible as you found it, maybe even better.

We’re grateful you’re here. Enjoy your stay, travel kindly, and come back soon.