Nanaimo

The Harbour City

230 places52 events coming upPopulation 90,504

Two hikers above the curved beach at Neck Point Park in Nanaimo — Photo: 4VI

Plan my Nanaimo trip Find a place to stay in Nanaimo This weekend

Newcastle Island
Nanaimo Museum
Old City Quarter
Protection Island

Nanaimo has two BC Ferries terminals: Departure Bay sails to Horseshoe Bay, Duke Point to Tsawwassen. A foot-passenger ferry crosses from the downtown harbour to Newcastle Island, which has no cars on it at all.

Start withThe Old City Station Pub Jeff’s Kayak and Bike Rentals Big Bang Cider Lakeview Homes ESQUIMALT Vermouth & Apéritifs

Places in Nanaimo

All 230 places

Food & drink

Brewery & Winery
Big Bang Cider

Upcoming Events

View All Events

Tue, Oct 20 · 7:00 PM

Channel Panel: An Evening with Spirit

Nanaimo on the map

Open the map

Plan your stay in Nanaimo

Local Insider Tips

Take the ferry to Newcastle Island for hiking and picnics

Try authentic Nanaimo bars at their birthplace

The Bastion looks out over the harbour

Best Times to Visit

spring

Mild weather perfect for island hopping

summer

Great for water activities and festivals

fall

Autumn colours and salmon watching

winter

Cozy downtown exploration and storm watching

Signature Nanaimo Experiences

Newcastle Island Park

Nanaimo Bar Trail

Harbourfront Walkway

Bathtub Racing

Nanaimo Travel Guides & Articles

In-depth guides to help you plan your visit to Nanaimo

Guide

Things to Do in Nanaimo: Parks, Harbour Walks, Museums and Live Music

Nanaimo's harbour, coastal and river parks, museums, live-music rooms and places to eat, arranged by what you want to do.

Guide

Nanaimo: The Harbour City of Vancouver Island

Downtown

Historic core with shops and restaurants

Explore this neighbourhood

Old City Quarter

Heritage buildings and unique boutiques

Explore this neighbourhood

Departure Bay

Beach community with ferry connections

Explore this neighbourhood

Protection Island

Car-free island accessible by ferry

Explore this neighbourhood

1235 Nanaimo Lakes Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5P4

4.9(83)

A cider orchard on Nanaimo Lakes Road growing more than 25 cider-specific apple varieties from France, England and North America.

Brewery & Winery

ESQUIMALT Vermouth & Apéritifs

3091 Jingle Pot Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9R 6W6

4.9(26)

Vermouth and aperitifs built on mead made with honey from the producer's own apiary and botanicals foraged on Vancouver Island.

Brewery & Winery

Arbutus Distillery

1890 Boxwood Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9S 5Y2

4.7(59)

A Nanaimo distillery on Boxwood Road working from BC-grown malted barley, rye and grapes: single malt and rye whisky, brandy, gins…

Tours & activities

Tours & Activities
Jeff’s Kayak and Bike Rentals
34 A Pirates Ln, Nanaimo, BC V9R 6R1
5.0(362)Rated 5 out of 5 from 362 reviews
Explore Newcastle Island by kayak, bike, paddle board, or paddle boat. Jeff's Rentals operates exclusively on Newcastle Island…
Jeff’s Kayak and Bike Rentals, 34 A Pirates Ln, Nanaimo, BC V9R 6R1
Tours & Activities
Island Römer Adventures
5791 Broadway Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9V 1E9
5.0(243)Rated 5 out of 5 from 243 reviews
Guided sea kayak tours out of Nanaimo: three hours around Departure Bay, four to Saysutshun — Newcastle Island — and a seven-hour…
Tours & Activities
Coastal Blue Adventures Ltd
1840 Stewart Ave, Stones Marina, I Dock, Nanaimo, BC V9S 5R1
5.0(170)Rated 5 out of 5 from 170 reviews

Family-friendly

Tours & Activities
Vancouver Island Whale Watch
90 Front St #5, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5H7
4.8(573)Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 573 reviews
Whale-watching tours depart from Nanaimo year-round on open zodiac-style boats or a semi-covered vessel, with trips usually 3-5…
Vancouver Island Whale Watch, 90 Front St #5, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5H7
Hotel & Accommodation
Lakeview Homes
2851 101st St, Nanaimo, BC V9T 2C8
4.8(23)Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 23 reviews
A collection of locally owned and operated rental units in Nanaimo, offering fully furnished and well-equipped homes. Several…
Hotel & Accommodation
Mountainaire Campground and RV Park
1092 Spruston Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9X 1R2
4.3(302)Rated 4.3 out of 5 from 302 reviews

Spas & wellness

Wellness & Spa
Nanaimo Elements Spa
4551 Uplands Dr, Nanaimo, BC V9T 0M3
5.0(163)Rated 5 out of 5 from 163 reviews
A day spa on Uplands Drive in Nanaimo doing facials and body treatments, massage and reflexology, waxing, manicures, pedicures…
Nanaimo Elements Spa, 4551 Uplands Dr, Nanaimo, BC V9T 0M3
Wellness & Spa
unwind spa + wellness
156 Victoria Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9R 4P5
5.0(71)Rated 5 out of 5 from 71 reviews
We're a cozy, peaceful retreat in downtown Nanaimo, BC, offering holistic facials and restorative massage in a single-person…
Wellness & Spa
Island Sauna Nanaimo
4700 Island Hwy, Nanaimo, BC V9T 1W6
4.9(297)Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 297 reviews
A mobile sauna parked lakeside at the Inn on Long Lake in Nanaimo, with ice-filled cold plunge tubs and a fire pit lounge. Every…

Places to stay

Hotel & Accommodation
Hammond Bay Oceanside Bed & Breakfast
3804 Hammond Bay Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9T 1G3
4.9(11)Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 11 reviews
A west coast style guest house on Hammond Bay, adult oriented and open year-round. The Oceanside Suite offers one or two bedrooms…
Hammond Bay Oceanside Bed & Breakfast, 3804 Hammond Bay Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9T 1G3
Hotel & Accommodation
AnnArthur Guest House
59 Howard Ave, Nanaimo, BC V9R 3P9
4.7(30)Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 30 reviews
A guest house on Howard Avenue in Nanaimo. The Harbour Flat has its own entrance, bathroom, kitchen and living area, and the…
Hotel & Accommodation
Living Forest Oceanside Campground & RV Park
6 Maki Rd, Nanaimo, BC V9R 6N7
4.5(1,494)Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 1494 reviews
More than 300 campsites where the Nanaimo River meets Nanaimo Harbour — oceanside, ocean view, forested and riverside, with full…

Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo. Step into a sacred evening of channeling, light language, and sound, feel the energy, ask questions, & leave…

Wed, Oct 21 · 6:00 PM

The Resilience Circle

Nanaimo$225

155 Skinner St suite 204. A 4-week women’s support group exploring boundaries, stress, coping and resilience through connection, reflection and…

Tickets available

Wed, Oct 21 · 7:30 PM

Daniel Cainer & Bob Bossin

Milton Street Public House$28.07

Milton Street. UK's Daniel Cainer on tour with Gabriola's own Bob Bossin bring their funny, poignant, brilliantly literate songwriting to Nanaimo.

Tickets available

Thu, Oct 22 · 6:00 PM

Nanaimo Speed Dating - Ages 40+

White Sails Brewing$54.58

White Sails Brewing. Join singles in your age group for quick visits and a fun night out! We help you through every step!

Tickets available

Thu, Oct 22 · 7:00 PM

Speed Dating | Ages 32-47 | Nanaimo

The Old City Station Pub$17.31-$38.61

The Old City Station Pub. Single in Nanaimo? Tired of swiping? Join us for a romantic speed dating event!

Tickets available

Fri, Oct 23 · 4:00 PM

Build Your Little Salt Pig!

Pacific Arts Market$70.56

Pacific Arts Market. Sculpt your own Salt Pig in this fun ceramic workshop with Kim Burgess.

Tickets available

City Centre

Venues (100)

Events (20)

Nanaimo weather

9°Mostly Cloudy

Humidity: 88%
Wind: 3 km/h

The next 6 days

TonightCloudy· low 6°

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Tue
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Wed
High 12°
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Thu
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Fri
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Sat
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60% chance of rain

What's on this weekend Places in Nanaimo

Charters out of Stones Marina in Nanaimo, fishing chinook and working water from the Gulf Islands out to Barkley Sound, with…

A hundred and twenty sites on Spruston Road south of Nanaimo — serviced RV sites on 30 and 50 amp, glamping units, cabins and…

Nanaimo

Places in Nanaimo

Food & drink

Big Bang Cider

Upcoming Events

Channel Panel: An Evening with Spirit

Nanaimo on the map

Plan your stay in Nanaimo

Local Insider Tips

Best Times to Visit

spring

summer

fall

winter

Signature Nanaimo Experiences

Newcastle Island Park

Nanaimo Bar Trail

Harbourfront Walkway

Bathtub Racing

Nanaimo Travel Guides & Articles

Things to Do in Nanaimo: Parks, Harbour Walks, Museums and Live Music

Nanaimo: The Harbour City of Vancouver Island

Explore Nanaimo Neighbourhoods

Downtown

Old City Quarter

Departure Bay

Protection Island

ESQUIMALT Vermouth & Apéritifs

Arbutus Distillery

Tours & activities

Jeff’s Kayak and Bike Rentals

Island Römer Adventures

Coastal Blue Adventures Ltd

Family-friendly

Vancouver Island Whale Watch

Lakeview Homes

Mountainaire Campground and RV Park

Spas & wellness

Nanaimo Elements Spa

unwind spa + wellness

Island Sauna Nanaimo

Places to stay

Hammond Bay Oceanside Bed & Breakfast

AnnArthur Guest House

Living Forest Oceanside Campground & RV Park

The Resilience Circle

Daniel Cainer & Bob Bossin

Nanaimo Speed Dating - Ages 40+

Speed Dating | Ages 32-47 | Nanaimo

Build Your Little Salt Pig!

Map Legend

Nanaimo weather

The next 6 days