Written by Gina Woods

Looking for more sailing content? Check out our blogs!

Nestled amidst world-class sailing destinations in the Salish Sea, Nanaimo is a stand alone sailing destination in and of itself. Drop the anchor, and settle in for 3 days of sailing adventures, shoreline excursions, urban culinary delights and sunset views with this Ultimate Guide to Sailing in Nanaimo. 

DAY 1: Nanaimo Harbour and Saysuthsun Island 

Whether you are arriving from northern or southern waters, the Nanaimo Harbour situated in the heart of downtown Nanaimo is the best place to start your Nanaimo sailing experience. 

Tie up for the day to the docks in the Nanaimo Boat Basin with a full service marina. The Port of Nanaimo will meet all of your mariner needs with 30 amp power, a full service fuel dock, and an eco-barge with pump-out facilities. 

Once settled in at the docks, head out on foot to enjoy the Nanaimo coastline as well as downtown Nanaimo’s urban amenities. Start by walking the Harbourfront Walkway with a stop at Maffeo Sutton Park and the Swy-A-Lana Lagoon fishing pier to enjoy Nanaimo’s unique coastline views. Then head to Commercial Street in downtown Nanaimo to get a taste of some of Nanaimo’s urban culinary delights. Grab coffee at Brix and Mortar Social House and baked treats at Red’s Bakery. If you need to stock up on provisions for your onward journey, stop at Port Place Mall which is home to a grocery store, liquor store and pharmacy. 

After all that walking, refuel by enjoying lunch at one of Nanaimo’s unique seasonal dockside floating restaurants. Grab tacos at Penny’s Palapa or some local seafood at Trollers Fish and Chips. 

In the afternoon, cast off your lines and sail over to nearby Saysutshun Island to spend the night. Tie up to one of the mooring buoys or the dock with views of downtown Nanaimo and majestic Mt. Benson. Moorage fees can be paid at the Marina office or online using the QR code posted. 

Enjoy the afternoon by strolling the forested trails on the island or relaxing at one of the many beaches dotting the shoreline. 

For dinner, take your dinghy over to The Dinghy Dock Pub, Canada’s only floating pub, on Protection Island. Choose a table inside or out on the patio for sunset views of Nanaimo. 

DAY 2: The Natural Wonders of Gabriola Island’s Twin Beaches and Malaspina Galleries 

Be prepared to marvel at the natural wonders of nearby Gabriola Island on the second day of your Nanaimo sailing itinerary.

You’ll start your day by heading out from Saysutshun Island around Gallows Point on the south end of Protection Island into the open waters of the Salish Sea. Head across the water towards Gabriola Island while watching the hustle and bustle of incoming and outgoing BC Ferries ships 

and float planes as they make their way into Duke Point Ferry Terminal and the Nanaimo Harbour. Your destination is beautiful Taylor Bay and Gabriola Sands Provincial Park on the northwest tip of Gabriola Island. 

Drop anchor in the middle of the bay where you’ll find good holding and protection from the SE winds. Once settled, head to shore to enjoy the crystal clear waters and fine sand at the Twin Beaches of Gabriola Sands Provincial Park. The small isthmus of land that makes up the park has sandy beaches on either side, so choose which beach suits your fancy and relax for a while! Swim, have a picnic or go for a paddle around the bay and look for marine life in the shallows and tide pools along the shore. 

For your next adventure you will want to check the tide tables and time your visit to Malaspina Galleries with the low tide. Bring you dinghy or kayak to the south shore of Taylor Bay and find the short trail that leads to this natural wonder. Wind and water have eroded a long cave shaped like a rip curl wave along the shore. The sheer size and otherworldly shapes formed in the limestone rock is truly amazing and needs to be seen to be fully appreciated! 

Head back to your boat to enjoy a bbq dinner out on deck and watch the sunset behind the Nanaimo shoreline. 

Note: If the winds are forecast from the NW, head around the point to the opposite side of the isthmus in Pilot Bay for the night where there is more protection from a NW wind. 

DAY 3: Silva Bay – The Gabriola Art Scene and Kayaking the Flat Top Islands 

Today you will hoist the sails for a fun day-sail along the coast of Gabriola Island to the protected marinas in Silva Bay. Along the way, watch for whales and other marine mammals that frequent the area and enjoy the classic lighthouse views as you pass Entrance Island. Navigate your way through the channel between the small islands dotting the eastern tip of Gabriola Island into Silva Bay with its all-weather protection. 

Choose between Page’s Marina or Silva Bay Marina for a full service marina experience. Once you’ve tied up to the dock and checked in at the marina, head to shore to check out wares from local artists across the island at Pier Gallery Artists Collective. Find a collection of art ranging from paintings, pottery, textiles and jewelry. 

Spend the remainder of the day kayaking around the nearby Flat Top Islands. Weave your way around the small low lying islands and islets and find a gravelly beach to pull up on for a walk along the limestone shores. Look for tidepools and unique rock formations! If you don’t have an ocean going kayak, rentals are available at Page’s Marina.

End your day dockside at the marina for dinner on your boat to watch the sunset. You’ll probably get a chance to meet your boat neighbour, so pull out a chair on deck and exchange stories about your sailing adventures. You may just learn about a new sailing destination or local gems to explore! And of course, make new friends!

Whether Nanaimo marks the beginning of your sailing journey along the Vancouver Island coast, a stop along the way, or a weekend getaway destination all on its own, take the time to stop and stay for a while!