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City guide

Nanaimo, BC

Nanaimo is a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. The city lies on the western shores of the eponymous Nanaimo Harbour, for which it has become known as the "Harbour City".

Type CityPopulation 110,700

Why go

  • City in British Columbia, Canada.
  • Served by Nanaimo Airport (YCD).
  • Home to roughly 110,700 people.

History

Nanaimo is a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. The city lies on the western shores of the eponymous Nanaimo Harbour, for which it has become known as the "Harbour City". The city is also called the "Hub City", which is attributed to its original layout design with streets radiating from the shoreline like the spokes of a wagon wheel, and to its relatively central location on Vancouver Island. Nanaimo is the headquarters of the Regional District of Nanaimo.

Airports

Nanaimo Airport (YCD) 16 km to the centre
3350 Spitfire Way, Cassidy, BC V0R 1H0 — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (Air Canada, WestJet) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Calgary, Vancouver (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 2 direct destinations
  • Air Canada AC (Dash 8-300) · 1 route: Vancouver*
  • WestJet WS (Dash 8-400) · 1 route: Calgary

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Qualicum Beach Airport (XQU) 35 km to the centre
1000 Ravensbourne Ln, Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1N1 — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Sechelt-Gibsons Airport (YHS) 36 km to the centre
Sechelt, BC, CA — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Nanaimo (Departure Bay) Berth 2
Ferry terminal · 1.4 km from the centre · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Nanaimo (Departure Bay) Berth 3
Ferry terminal · 1.4 km from the centre · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Departure Bay Berth 2 (Foot Access)
Ferry terminal · 1.4 km from the centre
Outdoor
Departure Bay Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 1.4 km from the centre · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Departure Bay Berth 3 (Foot Access)
Ferry terminal · 1.5 km from the centre
Outdoor
Nanaimo (Departure Bay) Berth 1
Ferry terminal · 1.5 km from the centre · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Berth 3 approach
Ferry route · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Berth 2 approach
Ferry route · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Newcastle Island Passenger Ferry
Ferry route
Outdoor
Protection Island Ferry
Ferry route · Dinghy Dock Pub
Outdoor
Nanaimo Harbour ↔ Descanso Bay
Ferry route · British Columbia Ferry Services
Outdoor
Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay) to Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour)
Ferry route · British Columbia Ferry Services
Outdoor
Nanaimo (Nanaimo Harbour) to Gabriola Island (Descanso Bay)
Ferry route · BC Ferries
Outdoor
Departure Bay ↔ Horseshoe Bay
Ferry route · BC Ferries
Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Nanaimo Airport (YCD). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: YCD has direct flights to 2 destinations on 2 airlines (incl. Calgary, Vancouver). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Nanaimo (Departure Bay) Berth 2, 1.4 km); routes include Berth 3 approach, Berth 2 approach, Newcastle Island Passenger Ferry.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Nanaimo, BC. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach

Tours & experiences