Nanaimo; The Second-largest City on Vancouver Island
Nanaimo is the second-largest city on Vancouver Island, located on the east coast, and it has everything a tourist's heart can desire. This historic port city is known as The Harbour City among the islanders. But it used to be the Hub City; the reason for that was the special design of the streets that radiated like the spokes of a wheel. Nanaimo is also one of the best cold-water diving destinations on Vancouver Island. The indigenous people of the city are the Snuneymuxw, which is Nanaimo in anglicized pronunciation. About art in Nanaimo, it's enough to know that The Nanaimo Concert Band is 138 years old, and it's the oldest continuous community band in Canada. The Nanaimo Conservatory of Music is still offering music lessons and producing concerts since 1977.
Average Weather in Nanaimo
During winter in Nanaimo, the temperatures rarely go below 0°C (32°F). In summer, the average temperature is 24°C (75°F). Nanaimo is known as one of the comfiest climates in all of Canada.
The Best Time to Visit Nanaimo
The best time to visit Nanaimo is from June to August. It is the period when the city is full of tourists.
How to Get to Nanaimo?
Nanaimo Airport Transfers
Nanaimo Airport is 18.8 km (11.7 miles) south of downtown Nanaimo. Nanaimo is one of the main gateways to Vancouver Island, specifically for passengers who come from Vancouver and Calgary.
Seaplane to Nanaimo
You can get on board from Vancouver Harbour to Nanaimo Harbour.
Ferry to Nanaimo
1. If you plan to visit Nanaimo from north and west of Vancouver Island or Horseshoe Bay, the access is via Deep Bay.
2. Access to Nanaimo is possible from Tsawwassen to Duke Point Ferry Terminal.
Neck Point Roaming Game, where you play the game of finding clues, solving puzzles north of the city
Discovering Natural Beauty and Entertainment in Nanaimo
There are many parks and gardens in Nanaimo, each one with its unique beauty. Here are some of the most favourite landmarks. The water sports in Nanaimo are various and exciting and certainly won't fit inside a paragraph. The activities involve sailing, diving, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Spend the day paddling around, or get out on a charter and start angling.
Nanaimo's museums are the museum of natural history, and there are some of the best Vancouver Island art galleries in the city. South of the city is where the most nightlife happens.
Lots of festivals and events take place in Nanaimo; among them is Marine Festival & World Championship Bathtub Race. It has been welcoming visitors for more than 40-years to participate in this famous festival and race. Maffeo Sutton Park & Sway-a-Lana Lagoon will play host to vendors, arts & crafts, and a Kiddies Carnival at the core of the bathtub festivities.
Gardens, Parks, and Natural Green Attractions in Nanaimo
Swimming and sunbathing at Westwood Lake, Nanaimo River, or the beaches
Hiking all around the Morrell Nature Sanctuary and watching birds
Witnessing the Nanaimo Bastion Cannon Firing
Hiking Mount Benson
Finding prehistoric fossils at Ammonite Falls
Visit Bowen Park with its wonderful services
Bowen Park Curling club, Disc golf, Tennis courts, and sand volleyball courts
Services in Nanaimo
Public Transportation in Nanaimo
Nanaimo Public transportation is mostly buses and ferries. Using buses is for destinations inside of the island and ferry for the ones outside. You also can use the taxi services and The Hangar air taxi for transportation.
Where to Stay in Nanaimo
As a tourist, downtown is the best place to stay, close to the Harbourfront. Downtown is close to everything from whale-watching boats and seaplane tours to the museums, restaurants, and shops.
If you want to take a ferry to Vancouver, it is recommended to find somewhere near the ferry terminal instead.
In case you are looking for luxury accommodation, try the Coast Bastion Hotel downtown and enjoy a fantastic view. If you're on a budget, though, HI Nanaimo - Painted Turtle Guesthouse is right next to Coast Bastion Hotel at a more reasonable price. Here are some suggestions for staying in the city: Hotels: Coast Bastion Hotel, The Grand Hotel Nanaimo
Self-Catered Accommodation: Buccaneer Inn, Nanaimo Gibralter Rock Ocean View Bed&Breakfast, Surf Lodge and Pub, Best Western Northgate Inn
Nanaimo has a few significant shopping malls. Woodgrove Centre is the largest on Vancouver Island, northwest of the city, Nanaimo North Town Centre, University Village Mall. For Boutique Shopping, visit Old City Quarter and Waterfront.
Farmers Markets are active from late spring to Thanksgiving. You can find the products in Lantzville Farmers Market, Cedar Farmers Market, Bowen Road Farmers Market, Nanaimo Downtown Farmers Market.
Food and Beverage Services in Nanaimo
Restaurant and Café in Nanaimo
The Bee's Knees Café and The Vault Café are two of the best cafes in downtown Nanaimo.
Asteras Greek food and La Stella Trattoria downtown and Nori Japanese Restaurant uptown are excellent restaurant choices.
Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, Pubs, and Bars in Nanaimo
The Nanaimo Bar and Milton Street Public House downtown and Arbutus Distillery & Cocktail Lounge on the west are a few of the best bars and pubs you can find in the city. Misguided Spirits Craft Distillery is northwest, and Stillhead Distillery is south of the city. Qualicum Village Winery in the northwest, Emandare Vineyard, and Averill Creek Vineyard in the south are a few of the best Wineries and vineyards in Nanaimo. Wolf Brewing Compan, Longwood Brewery, and Cliffside Brewing Company are Nanaimo's only Breweries.
Health and Wellness in Nanaimo
Sport and Wellness Centers, Spas, and Recreational Therapy in Nanaimo
Nanaimo Elements Holistic Centre & Spa
Simply Beautiful Spa
Pure Spa
McGirr Sports Fields
Air house Nanaimo
Beban Soccer Fields
Serauxmen Stadium
Nanaimo Golf Club
The Whispering Earth
Laser Centers For Health Nanaimo
Innerglow Wellness Center
Sound Therapy Nanaimo
Rocky Point Massage Therapy
Lynn's Holistic Massage and Craniosacral Therapy
What you Can Expect to Do Near Nanaimo
Hiking on Bowen Park Loop
Hiking on Westwood Lake Trail
Hiking on Cable Bay Nature Trail
Hiking on the Mount Benson Loop
Hiking on the Nanaimo River Trail
Nanaimo Diving
Nanaimo Yacht Club Whale Watching
Protection Island Ferry Whale Watching
Nanaimo Whale Watching
Nanaimo Kayaking and Canoeing
Ladysmith Kayaking
The wreck of the Robert Kerr Diving
Elliot's Beach Park Diving
Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving
Alcala Point in Porlier Pass Diving
What you Can Expect to See Near Nanaimo
Parksville
Nanaimo Lakes
Colliery Dam Park
Maffeo Sutton Park
Nanaimo River
Beaufort Park
Pipers Lagoon Park
Bowen Park
Nanoose Bay
Chinese Memorial Gardens Park
Neck Point Park
Qualicum Beach
Beach Estates Park
Westwood Lake Park
Kanaka Bay
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