Uncover Nanaimo’s layers.

It’s the many options from sea to sky that attract visitors to Nanaimo, where pedals push you over trails and the soles of your boots take you down to the base of rainforest waterfalls. And yet all will find the stillness to rejuvenate when kicking back on the beach to watch the ferry dock, or enjoying a cold handmade beverage at one of 4 craft breweries.

When you’re ready to feel the ocean air, set sail from Nanaimo’s harbour—one of Vancouver Island’s most industrious and beautiful ports—on a catamaran, fishing boat or hovercraft. It’s just one of the ways to catch a glimpse of Nanaimo’s locals—the wildlife of British Columbia who call the Salish Sea home. Get up close and personal with the harbour seals when you dive off Snake Island with a knowledgeable guide.

Top 10 Things to Do

Our ten classic must-dos while visiting Nanaimo: think biting into our signature treat or sailing down our single-track!

Plan Your Trip

Our curated itineraries will kick start your vacation planning.

Nanaimo Stories

Meet our locals & hear their stories.

What to Do

Saysutshun Island (Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park)
Nori Sushi
Pure Spa
Bar Luna
Common Foundry
Go Fish Charters
Milton Street Public House
Gabriola Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre
Aura Arcana
The Terminal Bar
Cedar Farmers’ Market
Regional District of Nanaimo
Dinghy Dock Pub
Stephen Cole Fine Art
Cabela’s
View Oceanside Grill
Vancouver Island Watersports
Descanso Bay Regional Park
Camas
Asteras Greek Taverna
Romper Room
Black Bear Pub
Old City Station Pub
Island Marine Adventures
Nanaimo NightOwls Baseball Team
Axe & Grind Nanaimo
Pizzeria La Stella
Sink or Swim Scuba
Kiyo Salon & Day Spa
COCO Cafe
Brechin Lanes and Escapism Escape Rooms
Sundown Diving
Invictus Charters
GERTIE – Gabriola’s Community Bus
Page’s Resort & Marina
Nanaimo Downtown Farmers Market
Minnoz Restaurant & Lounge
The Nanaimo BAR
Twofiveo Tour Company
Nanaimo Port Authority
Fairwinds Golf Club
Nana Sushi
Silva Bay Kayak Adventures
Silva Bay Resort & Marina
Serious Coffee – North
Fredrich’s Honey Farm & Shop
Snip & Stitch
Red’s Bakery
Gabriola Pilates
Hearthstone Artisan Bakery
Drip Coffee Social
Nanaimo Arts Council
Columbia Bakery Ltd
Zen Revolution Yoga & Spin
McLean’s Specialty Foods
Wild Heart Adventures Sea Kayak Tours
Longwood Brewery
Cold Front Gelato
Delicados (North Nanaimo)
Sukkho Thai Restaurant
Tandoori Junction
Millstone Estate Winery
Splitsville
Carbonne Pizzeria
Shelter Point Distillery
Woodgrove Centre
The Bastion
A Wee Cupcakery
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo
Jumping Jiminy’s
Airhouse Nanaimo
Smokin’ Georges BBQ
Cultured Coast
The Surf Restaurant & Pub
Gallery Row
Nanaimo Yacht Club
My Undies
The Vault Cafe
The Nest Bistro
Woodfire Grill
Bees Knees Community Café
Chemainus Theatre
Nanaimo Golf Club
Protection Island Ferry
Penny’s Palapa Floating Mexican Restaurant
Coastal Expression – 2023
Gina’s Mexican Cafe
Island Roots Farmers’ Market
Tracks Outdoor Adventures INC
Troller’s Fish and Chips
EXIT Nanaimo
Kleijn Nurseries and Garden Centre
Cayo Fashions
The Skol Pub
Vancouver Island Expeditions
Nanaimo Dive Outfitters
The Occidental (Oxy) Pub
Mahle House
The Well Pub
Nanaimo Noodlebox – Port Place
Miracle Mile Limousine and Sight Seeing Tours
Morning Star Bison Ranch
Modern Café
Bocca Café
The Port Theatre
Vancouver Island Military Museum
Lighthouse Bistro and Pub
Living Forest Oceanside RV & Campground
ZALATHAI THAI RESTAURANT
La Stella Trattoria
Eaglequest Golf Centre
Westwood Lake RV Camping & Cabins
St. Jean’s Cannery & Smokehouse
New York Style Pizza & Pasta
Sunshine Coast Air
Flying Fish
Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
Bistro Taiyo
Breakout Nanaimo
Island-ish
Mon Petit Choux
Craft Fare
White Sails Brewing
Black Rabbit Kitchen
Artzi Stuff
Kitties & Cream 
Longwood Brew Pub & Restaurant
City of Nanaimo Parks & Recreation
The Bold Knight Restaurant
Serge & Sew
Burnt Honey Dessert Company
Horne Lake Caves & Outdoor Centre
Delicado’s – Downtown
NYLA Fresh Thread
Serious Coffee Commercial Street
Nanaimo Fringe Festival
Coastal Blue Adventures Ltd.
JoVic Pottery
Nanaimo Museum
Top Notch Burgers
Mrs. Riches Restaurant
Gabriola Visitor Centre
Yonder Wood Country Store
Wildwood – Ecoforestry Institute Society
Silver Blue Charters
The Buzz Coffee House
Arbutus Distillery
Melange Restaurant
Real Food
Waterfront Suites & Marina
BCeBike
Poke Page 1 & 2
Island Römer Adventures
Vancouver Island Symphony
Nanaimo Art Gallery
Javawocky Coffee House
Canadian Craft Tours
Ironworks Creperie
The Queens
Harbour Air Seaplanes
Wolf Brewing Company
Firehouse Grill
Crow & Gate Pub
Ground Up Cafe and Catering
The Jolda Gallery
Hub City Cycles
Make Cheese with Paula
Cottonwood Golf Course
Milanos
Lohmann Gallery
Thrills & Skills Cycling
Vancouver Island Whale Watch – Nanaimo, BC
The Pantry Restaurant
Le Brunch Cafe
North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
Noodlebox Metral Station (North Nanaimo)
Chateau Wolff Estate Winery & Vineyard
Simonholt Restaurant
Wheatsheaf Pub & Liquor Store
Old City Quarter Association
Tea Desire
BarBurrito
Baby Salsa Mexican Restaurant
Newfoundland to Nanaimo Canadian Gifts and Souvenirs
Yellow Point Cranberries
Mad Rona’s Coffee Bar
WildPlay Element Parks
Gabriel’s Gourmet Cafe
Umai Sushi
Nanaimo Concert Band
McNabs Corn Maze & Produce Farm
West Coast Helicopters
WurHere B&B
Nanaimo North Town Centre
Piccadilly Bistro
Raven Point Inn and Marina (previously Page Point)
White Rabbit Coffee Co.
Mambo Gourmet Pizza
Eve Olive Vegan Restaurant