Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail

Don't hike alone! It is an excellent hike for the whole family and pets. Cable Bay Nature Trail is scenic, easy, clean, and wide enough as a family trail. Not only your family but your pet can accompany you. Get the most out of incredible viewpoints. Hike through the forest near the coast and find a nice rock to take a break, grab a snack, and watch the marine wildlife.

Hiking on Bowen Park Loop is a lovely urban walk along a river with stunningly beautiful nature that promotes a rich forest, a waterfall, and a scenic pond. This easy hiking trail is so well maintained with lots of facilities. Spend hours hiking on this loop as part of the Trans Canada Trail and have a memorable day in the park, great for different kinds of activities.

Westwood Lake Trail is not super challenging, but it is a lovely well maintained and well-marked hiking trail around Westwood Lake with beautiful viewpoints and greenery. The forest and lake are full-on herons, eagles and deer with lots of opportunities to have a great time, so bringing your family with you is a decision you will not regret!

About 10 kilometres away from downtown Nanaimo, find yourself on an easy and well-marked hiking trail along the Nanaimo River with a smile on your face! It is a great short walk that impresses you differently at each section. Take your dog with you and get it some exercises too, as it is dog off-leash-friendly. You can find such energy there in the area with the Douglas fir plantation.

Wear your hiking boots! It is going to be a challenging hike that may take about 4 to 5 hours. The lovely amount of elevation with fantastic views is what you can get hiking on the Mount Benson Loop near Nanaimo. As it is located in a reach environment, take lots of breaks to enjoy the area and get enough energy. If you are not ready for wet terrains, try it on a dry and cool day. You would be satisfied as an experienced hiker.

Founded in 1976, Art 10 Gallery is an old place with good reputes among the region's artists. It features original artifacts and paintings in different styles and mediums, functional and decorative pottery, fused glass, carving, jewelry, and art cards. The gallery hosts many exciting and glamorous events with well-known artists as a guest over the years.

Maffeo Sutton Park is a waterfront park with a perfect view of Nanaimo Harbour. It is a family park mainly known for its nice walking trails, playground, and picnicking areas. Swy-A-Lana Lagoon Fishing Pier is a nice spot located southeast of the park for fishing and swimming. This scenic oceanside park's Lions Pavilion Stage hosts community and musical events.

Dolphin Beach is known for its scuba diving site. Whether you are a beginner or professional, challenge your skills and explore marine life. See one of the world's best landscapes since twilight when the beach slowly lit and the sky is getting orange. The beach is more stunning with the trees at the backside and their shadow on the water surface.

Art is the deepest yearning of a people's souls, and art galleries keep the connection. Nanaimo has a lot to offer as art galleries, and Nanaimo Art Gallery is one of the best. Push yourself in art by the exhibits of contemporary professional artists and curated modern art pieces. Be part of workshops and activities and buy some artistic gifts from the store.

Millstone River Falls is not a tall waterfall, but its beauty can rival any waterfall on Vancouver Island. Located in Bowen Park, two drops of Millstone River Falls make a soft melody by running smoothly down the river. Bowen Park Loop is a hiking trail that leads you to the waterfall, which is easy even for children. So you can enjoy this natural attraction with your family.

Visiting Nanaimo, with various attractions, could be in any visitors' plan. After spending hours in the city, being at a beach can refresh your body and soul. Departure Bay Beach is an excellent choice to make a memorable day with your family with access to many services. Watching ferries and marine life are among the things you can do at Departure Bay Beach.

Parksville Beaches is a public beach with endless tidal flats of sand and rock. In July, a fantastic event takes place; the Sand Castle Sculpture Competition and Exhibition. In summer, soaking in the sun and watching the splendid sky could be relaxing. As the beach has an extensive area, it suits children's taste to spend hours running freely, playing and beachcombing.

Englishman River Regional Park is home to numerous wildlife species, like Roosevelt Elk and a community hatchery with an extensive salmon side channel. Peaceful hiking, nice biking, and water sports like fishing and swimming are among the things you can do. Find your place for picnicking or camping and walk with your dog off-leash. Leave your footprint and take your memories.

For some who can't live their lives boring themselves, it is the right place. A well-designed biking pump track was made in Nanaimo to honour the legacy of Stevie Smith. The park's easy to hard lines give excellent chances to riders of all ages and skill levels. But the joy is not limited to bikers. If you are a fan of skateboarding and scooter riding, Stevie Smith Bike Park could be your home.

Beaufort Park is a year-round destination in Nanaimo. Each season's nature and wildlife diversity make eye-catching scenery for visitors, so take a camera with you. A multi-purpose court suitable for sports like basketball and pickleball, and a tennis court are available. There are also a community garden and a food forest, and a dog off-leash area.

The desire for seeking facts, knowledge, and history, with the subject of battles, made Vancouver Island Military Museum one of the most visited attractions in Nanaimo. Have a tour of more than 25 exhibits and get to know Canada's Military History and Traditions until today. It features many models, uniforms, medals, decommissioned firearms, and Dam Busters.

Colliery Dam Park with Chase River, huge trees, Granny Falls, and two small ponds is a tranquil and wooded park. The spectacular views with some nice bridges make the park a good choice for photographers. It is possible to walk your dog off-leash at the upper dam. You can go hiking, seasonal swimming, boating, and fishing for rainbow trout.

Situated between ecological reserves and parks in a peaceful area, Quennell Lake is a unique destination on south Vancouver Island, particularly for fishing lovers. It is among the top ten locations in Canada for Bass fishing. As the lake is quiet and beautiful, paddling an entire day would be great, or you can have exploration as a family or do a little exercise.

The Nanaimo River, with warm water and deep pools, is an excellent choice for swimming. It has lagoons for a family picnic or day trail and a rocky beach for kids to play in, and for you to lay on some large rocks. From April to June, and in September or October, test your fishing skill in the river for cutthroat and rainbow trout. Have the pleasure of hiking in trails and take some pictures.

As the second-largest city on Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is a historical port known as "The Harbour City." With an airport, ferry terminal, and seaplane charters, Nanaimo is a gateway for many tourists. It is home to some of the greatest museums and art galleries and is one of the best cold-water diving locations. If you have a taste for having fun, excellent festivals are waiting for you.

Nestled in a beautiful forest among the ocean, Living Forest Oceanside Campground & RV Park will make pleasure flow in your blood, like you are walking on air. Whether tent or RV, your camping would be private and quiet in this scenic oceanside campground. The park is on a hill and is terraced with lots of amazing views of the water. Plus, it has a view of three rivers and some great forests.

On Vancouver Island, you can spend every single day arriving in a new city comprising magnificent adventures. While you stay in the second-largest city on the island, you may enjoy several incredible activities, including whale watching. Whale watching in Nanaimo gives you the chance to explore the Salish Sea ecosystem and observe marine life from April-October.

About 10 kilometres away from downtown Nanaimo, find yourself on an easy and well-marked hiking trail along the Nanaimo River with a smile on your face! It is a great short walk that impresses you differently at each section. Take your dog with you and get it some exercises too, as it is dog off-leash-friendly. You can find such energy there in the area with the Douglas fir plantation.

Looking for a daring diving experience? Hop on and drive to Alcala Point in Porlier Pass diving site. There is a fantastic diving place where you may need a diving guide during winter due to enormous waves. Also, plenty of marine life is living there, so employing safety is mandatory.

Nanaimo is saturated with diving zones, but to name a decent one, Dolphin Beach is a location that allows everyone to explore marine life and enjoy diving. Both armature and advanced divers can have the chance to dive in these waters along with a glorious environment enclosing the zone, which would fascinate your eyes.

If you happen to wander around Nanoose Bay, The Jib Diving site is one of the most attractive diving destinations in the region, with a clean environment and easy access. Moreover, except for the beautiful view of the site, you can enjoy watching a diversity of marine life.

Fulfill your camping desires by camping in a proper place. In the Green Point Campground - Long Beach Unit, you can enjoy one of the best recreational camping within the spacious, clean, and gorgeous campsites with excellent facilities. The atmosphere makes the area fantastic for camping, and tent sites and RV sites are available with a superb rainforest environment.

Westwood Lake Trail is not super challenging, but it is a lovely well maintained and well-marked hiking trail around Westwood Lake with beautiful viewpoints and greenery. The forest and lake are full-on herons, eagles and deer with lots of opportunities to have a great time, so bringing your family with you is a decision you will not regret!

If you are making a checklist of diving places on Vancouver Island, make sure it includes the Rivtow Lion Diving zone. Rivtow Lion was a ship that was sunk on purpose, and through the years, it has changed into an artificial cliff and a favourable destination for diving. Photography enthusiasts can find the inner sceneries of the ship charming to be a subject for their cameras.

Nothing can feed your spirit like a clean, relaxing vacation. To do so, you have fantastic chances to camp in Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park Campground and let your lungs to be flourished by the fresh air you let in. These oceanside campgrounds have a lot to offer: ample amenities, various wildlife and astonishing scenery. Camping at this campsite is something that happens once in a lifetime.

Spend the gladdest moments of your life in Yeo Islands while diving into the waters. Also, you will have the chance to enjoy watching artificial cliffs that have embellished the area's view. Besides, the excellent adventure o diving visitors can benefit from other outdoor excitements and watching various marine life.

Hiking on Bowen Park Loop is a lovely urban walk along a river with stunningly beautiful nature that promotes a rich forest, a waterfall, and a scenic pond. This easy hiking trail is so well maintained with lots of facilities. Spend hours hiking on this loop as part of the Trans Canada Trail and have a memorable day in the park, great for different kinds of activities.

Ranked as the best cold-water diving destination in BC, Nanaimo waters are saturated with new diving experiences. BC Ferries, dive shops, accessible shores, and the chance to observe cute beaches have made Nanaimo an ideal destination for visitors. Diving enthusiasts find themselves in the heavens when they come to Nanaimo, for it is home to spotless diving spots.

If you are collecting a diary of diving experiences, it would be amazing to add your diving experience to HMCS Cape Breton. Wrecks of a sunk ship which has made the area a phenomenal diving location decorated with artificial reefs. The zone offers a spectacular site and undeniable diving opportunities, and it is accessible by boat. Not to mention the diverse sea life you would face there.

Protection Island Ferry provides its participants with high chances of watching whales and other marine creatures, along with the scenic view of three spectacular islands. You may also rent a boat to surf the water, and if you are in luck, encounter these gigantic marine beasts.