Exploring Nanaimo starts from your back yard....
Sightseeing
You can walk to the ferry dock at Maffeo Sutton Park. A scenic west coast park with a variety of beaches, hiking trails all within close proximity to downtown Nanaimo. https://newcastleisland.ca/ferry-info
For the more adventurous, you can get there by paddle board and plan your own departure times ....
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Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park
You can walk to the ferry dock at Maffeo Sutton Park. A scenic west coast park with a variety of beaches, hiking trails all within close proximity to downtown Nanaimo. https://newcastleisland.ca/ferry-info
For the more adventurous, you can get there by paddle board and plan your own departure times ....
Beaches
There are many beaches to discover on Vancouver Island. Some of my favorites are,
Nanaimo - Piper's Lagoon,
Newcastle Island - a 5 minute boat ride from Maffeo Sutton Park.
25 minutes to the north are Rathreavor and Parksville Beaches - the largest of Eastern Van. Island.
2-1/2 hours drive to the west brings you to Long Beach (Tofino) where you find miles of the ultimate west coast sand.
Bring suntan lotion and your fav. sandals.
Surf board and wet suit rentals available nearby in Tofino. Some rentals at the beach are also possible.
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Long Beach
Bring suntan lotion and your fav. sandals.
Surf board and wet suit rentals available nearby in Tofino. Some rentals at the beach are also possible.
Whether you just want to walk along the ocean or find a way to cool off during the hottest days, this is a favourite with locals and tourists. On the incoming tide, the water warms up making the beach a great place for a dip. Follow the trail to explore rock beyond the spit to explore cliff outcroppings and see the Shack Islands. On a low tide, hike over but watch out for incoming tides to avoid being stranded there. Lots of kayaking and paddle boarding opportunities present in this sheltered area.
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Pipers Lagoon Park
3600 Place RdWhether you just want to walk along the ocean or find a way to cool off during the hottest days, this is a favourite with locals and tourists. On the incoming tide, the water warms up making the beach a great place for a dip. Follow the trail to explore rock beyond the spit to explore cliff outcroppings and see the Shack Islands. On a low tide, hike over but watch out for incoming tides to avoid being stranded there. Lots of kayaking and paddle boarding opportunities present in this sheltered area.
Hiking trails
This is a great destination when wanting something more than an hour and with good variety of viewes and terrain. A bonus, my dog runs free under the tree canopy which provides shade from the sun as well as shelter when things turn wet. 20 minutes drive from Nanaimo one can go for a hike to Cable Bay and get a close up view of Gabriola Island to the west of the entrance to Dodd Narrows. It's a favourite dog walking trail for locals in the Cedar as well as Nanaimo area. Allow 2 hours round trip from start of the trail head.
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Cable Bay Trail
2705 Wilkinson RdThis is a great destination when wanting something more than an hour and with good variety of viewes and terrain. A bonus, my dog runs free under the tree canopy which provides shade from the sun as well as shelter when things turn wet. 20 minutes drive from Nanaimo one can go for a hike to Cable Bay and get a close up view of Gabriola Island to the west of the entrance to Dodd Narrows. It's a favourite dog walking trail for locals in the Cedar as well as Nanaimo area. Allow 2 hours round trip from start of the trail head.
It takes 1-1/2 hours to hike the trail around Westwood Lake. There is also a sand beach for those wanting a swim and cool off. Just follow Westwood Road to the end where you will enter the parking lot.
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Westwood Lake
It takes 1-1/2 hours to hike the trail around Westwood Lake. There is also a sand beach for those wanting a swim and cool off. Just follow Westwood Road to the end where you will enter the parking lot.
Food scene
If you're interested in an English pub experience, you can't beat the Crow and Gate Pub in nearby Cedar on Yellowpoint Road. I especially like the oyster and crabcake plate with one of their on tap ales on the lunch menu.
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The Crow and Gate
2313 Yellow Point RdIf you're interested in an English pub experience, you can't beat the Crow and Gate Pub in nearby Cedar on Yellowpoint Road. I especially like the oyster and crabcake plate with one of their on tap ales on the lunch menu.
Located on Wallace at corner of Fitzwilliam St., I'm a fan of their New York style deep dish pizza Their iceberg salad with artichokes is one of my favourites.
New York Style Pizza & Pasta (Downtown)
299 Wallace StLocated on Wallace at corner of Fitzwilliam St., I'm a fan of their New York style deep dish pizza Their iceberg salad with artichokes is one of my favourites.
Quality dining in down town Nanaimo. The Modern Cafe is a Nanaimo heritage building which has been completely revamped. Quality decor and excellent menu.
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Modern Cafe
221 Commercial StQuality dining in down town Nanaimo. The Modern Cafe is a Nanaimo heritage building which has been completely revamped. Quality decor and excellent menu.
Located down the street on Stewart Ave., this bright restaurant on the water's edge offers excellent Vietnamese cuisine. Leave your car at home, it's just a 5 minute walk along Stewart in the direction of the ferry terminal. They also offer takeout if you want to bring your food to the beach.
Sealand Pho
1240 Stewart AvenueLocated down the street on Stewart Ave., this bright restaurant on the water's edge offers excellent Vietnamese cuisine. Leave your car at home, it's just a 5 minute walk along Stewart in the direction of the ferry terminal. They also offer takeout if you want to bring your food to the beach.
Located in the Nanaimo Harbour, this is a convenient spot to go for fish & chips in a floating restaurant.
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Trollers Fish & Chips
Located in the Nanaimo Harbour, this is a convenient spot to go for fish & chips in a floating restaurant.