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

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