What to Do - Tourism Nanaimo - Uncover Nanaimo's Layers

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

Wolf Brewing Company
Nanaimo Noodlebox – Port Place
Lighthouse Bistro and Pub
Mon Petit Choux
Page’s Resort & Marina
A Wee Cupcakery
PRIME GOLF
Noodlebox Metral Station (North Nanaimo)
BarBurrito
Descanso Bay Regional Park
Burnt Honey Dessert Company
Black Rabbit Kitchen
Canadian Craft Tours
Modern Cafe
Firehouse Grill
Nanaimo Art Gallery
Mad Rona’s Coffee Bar
Mahle House
Nanaimo Arts Council
Top Notch Burgers
Longwood Brew Pub & Restaurant
Real Food
Saysutshun Island (Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park)
Cottonwood Golf Course
Longwood Brewery
Yonder Wood Country Store
Woodfire Grill
The Well Pub
Sink or Swim Scuba
Minnoz Restaurant & Lounge
WildPlay Element Parks
Baby Salsa Mexican Restaurant
HORANG
Cold Front Gelato
The Queens
Gabriel’s Gourmet Cafe
Gabriola Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Centre
Tea Desire
Waterfront Suites & Marina
JoVic Pottery
Andrew’s West Coast Adventures
Living Forest Oceanside RV & Campground
Fredrich’s Honey Farm & Shop
Strong Nations
Le Brunch Cafe
McLean’s Specialty Foods
Airhouse Nanaimo
The Plate
Vancouver Island Military Museum
Westwood Lake RV Camping & Cabins
The Nest Bistro
Simonholt Restaurant
City of Nanaimo Parks & Recreation
La Isla Cafe
GERTIE – Gabriola’s Community Bus
Brechin Lanes and Escapism Escape Rooms
Milton Street Public House
Island Marine Adventures
Craft Fare
Silva Bay Kayak Adventures
WurHere B&B
EXIT Nanaimo
Hoxton Home
Nanaimo Fishing Charters
Carbonne Pizzeria
Cultured Coast
ZALATHAI THAI RESTAURANT
Ground Up Cafe and Catering
Delicado’s – Downtown
Black Bear Pub
Camas
Bees Knees Community Café
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo
Raven Point Inn and Marina (previously Page Point)
Red’s Bakery
Millstone Estate Winery
The Bold Knight Restaurant
Kiyo Salon & Day Spa
Lohmann Gallery
Mrs. Riches Restaurant
The Vault Cafe
Bocca Café
Silva Bay Resort & Marina
Zen Revolution Yoga & Spin
Arbutus Distillery
Hub City Cycles
Vancouver Island Whale Watch – Nanaimo, BC
St. Jean’s Cannery & Smokehouse
Mambo Gourmet Pizza
Bar Luna
The Jolda Gallery
Coastal Blue Adventures Ltd.
Cedar Farmers’ Market
Salmon City Charters
View Oceanside Grill
Hearthstone Artisan Bakery
Pure Spa
Protection Island Ferry
Wildwood – Ecoforestry Institute Society
White Rabbit Coffee Co.
Old City Station Pub
Vancouver Island Symphony
Make Cheese with Paula
Nanaimo Dive Outfitters
White Sails Brewing
The Surf Restaurant & Pub
Yellow Point Cranberries
Vancouver Island Expeditions
Asteras Greek Taverna
Serious Coffee – North
Nori Sushi
Dinghy Dock Pub
Eaglequest Golf Centre
Nana Sushi
Nanaimo Museum
Unreel Fishing Charters
Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours
Nanaimo Golf Club
Wild Heart Adventures Sea Kayak Tours
Fairwinds Golf Club
Off The Hook – Surf, Turf, Smokery
SIP Neighbourhood Pub
West Coast Helicopters
Ironworks Creperie
Regional District of Nanaimo
Gabriola Visitor Centre
Gabriola Pilates
Milanos
Island Roots Farmers’ Market
Umai Sushi
La Stella Trattoria
Go Fish Charters
Nanaimo Yacht Club
The Bastion
Thrills & Skills Cycling
Drip Coffee Social
Vancouver Island Watersports
Bistro Taiyo
The Pantry Restaurant
Eve Olive Vegan Restaurant
Silver Blue Charters
Coastal Expression – 2023
Nanaimo Port Authority
Artzi Stuff
Jumping Jiminy’s
Nanaimo NightOwls Baseball Team
Old City Quarter Association
Cabela’s
Horne Lake Caves & Outdoor Centre
Serious Coffee Commercial Street
Wheatsheaf Pub & Liquor Store
The Nanaimo BAR
Misty Pines Cafe and Bakery
Fredrich’s Honey
COCO Cafe
Tandoori Junction
Delicados (North Nanaimo)
Nanaimo Concert Band
Crow & Gate Pub
Javawocky Coffee House
The Port Theatre
Harbour Air Seaplanes
Tracks Outdoor Adventures INC
Gina’s Mexican Cafe
Stephen Cole Fine Art
BCeBike
Smokin’ Georges BBQ
Romper Room
The Terminal Bar
Sunshine Coast Air
Invictus Charters
Island Time Axe Throwing
Poke Page 1 & 2
The Occidental (Oxy) Pub
ATV Adventure
Pizzeria La Stella
Sukkho Thai Restaurant
Island Römer Adventures
Columbia Bakery Ltd
Miracle Mile Limousine and Sight Seeing Tours
Breakout Nanaimo
Melange Restaurant
Morning Star Bison Ranch
Splitsville
Nanaimo Fringe Festival
The Skol Pub
Troller’s Fish and Chips
Penny’s Palapa Floating Mexican Restaurant
Sundown Diving
Kitties & Cream 
McNabs Corn Maze & Produce Farm