Andrew Gazula
A clear, bright day in Nanaimo Harbour.
Article courtesy of Destination BC
The East Coast of Vancouver Island is an expansive area where you can leisurely cruise among the protected Gulf Islands or visit with a boat in tow and take the highways to discover new inland lake destinations. Either way, visiting this region is a unique experience and the city of Nanaimo is an integral part of it all.
Whether it’s your first time visiting ‘Hub City’ or you return every boating season, Nanaimo is where you can always enhance your vacation. The marinas provide a lot of support for recreational boaters and the variety of choices do this well. Services may vary from one facility to the next, but transient moorage, boat launches, temporary storage facilities, nearby dining options and a friendly atmosphere are just some of the common qualities.
The marinas also serve as a gateway to all of the attractions in Nanaimo’s main hub. If you’re staying for a few days, getting around town is about as easy as contacting Uber on a smart device or programming an address into your tow vehicle’s GPS.
Gerry Thomasen
Nanaimo Port Authority has many services for boaters.
More in Nanaimo
The city prides itself as a gathering place, which has been evolving since it was a coal mining community in the 1800s. Its rich history can be experienced by visiting the Nanaimo Museum located in the city’s vibrant downtown district, which is within a 10-minute drive from most of the marinas.
A quick walk from the museum leads to unique shops and many dining choices. You’ll want to try the gourmet burgers at Top Notch, which is one of the newer restaurants in the city and voted for creating ‘Nanaimo’s Best Burger’ in the ‘Best of the City’ survey in late 2020. Close by - about 60 m (197 ft) - is the Melange Restaurant that’s known for its fusion cuisine, consisting of a mix of culinary delights from various food cultures. The Modern Café is also popular with its selection of West Coast fare. Be sure to sample the popular Nanaimo Bar Martini during happy hour.
More refreshing beverages can be enjoyed at Cliffside Brewing that’s also relatively new to the city and promises a great selection of red/pale ales and IPAs. Additional shopping and dining - in addition to unique architecture - is in The Old City Quarter, a trendy area of Nanaimo where you’re bound to find a unique shop or restaurant.
Alanah Nasadyk
It’s worth the hike to Ammonite Falls.
Outdoor Adventures in and Around Nanaimo
To explore the area by boat, untie the lines or back your boat down a launch ramp and visit Saysutshun-Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park.
Boating friendly and accessible only by water (a ferry also leads to the park), there are mooring balls that can accommodate 50-plus boats just offshore or you can tie up at the dock in Mark Bay. Space in both areas is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, all year. Rates at the dock are $2/metre and it’s $14/night to stay on the hook of a mooring ball.
Once in the heart of the park, there are many trail systems including the popular 8 km (5 mi) Coastal Trail, which leads around the perimeter of the island, and the Channel Trail that passes along an old sandstone quarry to the island’s north end with great views of Departure Bay. In all, the park has more than 22 km (14 mi) of trails for hikers and bikers. They are also dog-friendly but they must be kept on a leash.
If you bring along your mountain bike, more designated trails can be found in Stevie Smith Bike Park, Doumont Trails, and Westwood Lake Trails. All offer plenty of options for most skill levels.
Jo-in-BC
A typical day while enjoying the boating lifestyle in the region.
Other natural attractions include Sugarloaf Mountain, which has excellent views of Departure Bay and Saysutshun; the waterfront parks of Pipers Lagoon or Neck Point Park; and the dog-friendly hiking trail to Ammonite Falls. This easy-to-moderately- difficult 5 km (3 mi) hike leads along a dense forest of Douglas firs (although some clear-cutting has taken place in some areas) and to the base of the falls located in Benson Creek Falls Regional Park.
Approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) south on Hwy 19 from Benson Creek is Westwood Lake Park at the base of Mount Benson. Hiking trails, fishing for Rainbow trout, swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding are all popular here. Although only non-motorized boats are allowed on Westwood Lake, other lakes that allow powerboats include:
Long Lake
Located in North Nanaimo, Long Lake is home to Loudon Park on the south side where there’s a boat launch, walking trail, sand beach and fishing dock. Although Long Lake only spans 1.5 km (.9 mi) and the beach area has an urban feel, it does provide a great place to relax or to go paddleboarding or kayaking. If you’re a die-hard angler, launch your boat to access deeper water where there’s a chance of catching rainbow or cutthroat trout and even smallmouth bass with the right presentation.
Brannen Lake Beach Park
With a boat launch, beach, picnic area, and shaded spaces, Brannen Lake is about 15 minutes north of Nanaimo and offers another great day trip. Launch your boat, kayak or paddleboard, enjoy lunch or just relax on the sand or in the water, this beach park provides a great inland experience. Like other lakes in the area, Brannen is stocked with rainbow trout and you may also land a Kokanee. The most productive fishing is from March to June and September to October.
Marneejill
Scenic Descanso Bay.
Nanaimo Lakes
Approximately 30 minutes west of Nanaimo is the Nanaimo Lakes, a former old timber mill site that was once a prime location for log booms. It’s now a haven for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming in its warm waters. The area is appropriately named as it consists of a chain of lakes, called First, Second, Third and Fourth, which is behind a dam at its northern end. Even though all of the lakes are limited to 10 hp engines, it’s perfect for cartops or electric motors to fish, view wildlife and explore.
Explore More
If the ocean is your calling, Nanaimo and the surrounding area offer many additional anchorages. One of them is along the shores of nearby Gabriola Island in Silva Bay. If it’s a little crowded, cruise to Herring Bay at neighbouring Ruxton Island where there are additional options to drop anchor.
To recharge and reorganize, pull into a slip at Page's Inn on Silva Bay and spend a night or two in one of the oceanfront suites. The marina offers protected transient moorage for boats up to 21 m (70 ft) and some amenities include fish cleaning stations, barbecues, 30/15-amp shorepower, WiFi, a fuel dock offering mid-grade gas/diesel, plus washrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Another mooring option is at the public wharf in Degnen Bay or just off its shore.
Off the water, Gabriola Island is known for having the highest concentration of artisans in Canada (and is appropriately named ‘Isle of the Arts’) so be sure to browse the local artisan galleries. Bike rentals and even a taxi service are available to visit some of the dining options or services. You may also want to check out the beaches in Descanso Bay Regional Park and Sandwell Provincial Park, located at the island’s north end.
Nanaimo is a popular area for recreational boaters with its many essential services, natural attractions and fascinating scenery, providing the opportunity to find that perfect, isolated location to further enjoy your visit throughout this region of Vancouver Island. www.destinationbc.com
Popular Port of Nanaimo
With two marinas that combine to provide more than 2,133 m (7,000 ft) of moorage, the Port of Nanaimo is a great alternative to staying on a mooring ball just offshore (although that has benefits too). Not only do the protected slips provide optimal shelter during inclement weather, but there’s also quick access to nearby services in the hub of the city.
Both marinas can accommodate boats of a variety of sizes. The inner Boat Basin offers docking for small to medium commercial and pleasure boats (with secured gates from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am), and larger vessels have designated space available on the 183 m (600 ft) W.E. Mills Landing & Marina, which is formerly known as the Visiting Vessel Pier and Cameron Island Marina. Like the inner Boat Basin, it has secure grounds as well.
You’ll also appreciate the ‘three-hour courtesy tie-up’ for yacht tenders twice a week, depending on space. If you’re only coming in for a quick visit with your boat (e.g. for three to six hours) you will only be charged half the daily rate. The floats also offer 20- and 30-amp power with limited availability for 50- and 100-amp power.
Another convenience here is the fuel barge with gas/diesel, propane exchange for 20 lb cylinders, basic engine fluids, ice with a small store. More services are found at the on-site Pioneer Waterfront Plaza including a few restaurants, tour companies and a farmer’s market on Saturdays.