Guidebook for Nanaimo
Food Scene
It is right on the island, well, not exactly ON the island, it is the only floating pub in BC, so it is attached to the island. They serve lunch and dinner and often have live performers. Thursday nights are music trivia nights. The sunsets are great!
86 locals recommend
Dinghy Dock Pub
8 Pirates LnIt is right on the island, well, not exactly ON the island, it is the only floating pub in BC, so it is attached to the island. They serve lunch and dinner and often have live performers. Thursday nights are music trivia nights. The sunsets are great!
Mon Petit Choux
120 Commercial StBest coffee and French pastries on the island.
The Vault
499 Wallace StFunky. Often has great events. https://www.facebook.com/thevaultcafe/
Tandoori Junction Indian Cuisine
489 Wallace StEast Indian food that will not disappoint.
Right on the dock downtown Nanaimo. Not far up the dock from the Protection Island ferry.
29 locals recommend
Trollers Fish & Chips
Right on the dock downtown Nanaimo. Not far up the dock from the Protection Island ferry.
On the dock close to Protection Connection ferry. When the sun is shinning this is the best.
37 locals recommend
Penny's Palapa Restaurant
10 Wharf StOn the dock close to Protection Connection ferry. When the sun is shinning this is the best.
I have been going here for 25 years! Great atmosphere and great food. A five minute walk to the Protection Connection ferry.
36 locals recommend
Gina's Mexican Cafe
47 Skinner StI have been going here for 25 years! Great atmosphere and great food. A five minute walk to the Protection Connection ferry.
Parks & Nature
Great beaches, wonderful trails and wildlife: deer, raccoons, birds, otters, and seals, sealions and whales are often seen from the shore.
17 locals recommend
Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park
668 Centre StreetGreat beaches, wonderful trails and wildlife: deer, raccoons, birds, otters, and seals, sealions and whales are often seen from the shore.
Kayaking - during the summer season there is usually a kayak hut near the docks which rent kayaks by the hour or day.
90 locals recommend
Newcastle Island
Kayaking - during the summer season there is usually a kayak hut near the docks which rent kayaks by the hour or day.
Arts & Culture
Small but interesting and they have a great gift shop. Plus it is located right next to Starbucks on Commercial Street at the Conference Centre.
49 locals recommend
Nanaimo Museum
100 Museum WaySmall but interesting and they have a great gift shop. Plus it is located right next to Starbucks on Commercial Street at the Conference Centre.
Essentials
Liquor store, groceries, drug store and a few more. 5 minute walk from the Protection Island ferry dock.
9 locals recommend
Port Place mall
650 Terminal AveLiquor store, groceries, drug store and a few more. 5 minute walk from the Protection Island ferry dock.
Getting Around
BC Ferries Departure Bay Terminal
680 Trans-Canada HwyFerry to/from Vancouver.
Duke Point Ferry Terminal station
400 Duke Point HwyFerry to/fromTwassen
Floatplanes to downtown Vancouver and the river next to Vancouver International Airport.
14 locals recommend
Harbour Air Seaplanes
90 Front StFloatplanes to downtown Vancouver and the river next to Vancouver International Airport.
The Protection Connection
The Protection ConnectionFerry to Protection Island
Shopping
Flying Fish
180 Commercial StCool stuff, landmark cooking, living, and furniture store.
Entertainment & Activities
The Port theatre has listings for events held at venues all over Nanaimo: blues, dance, jazz and theatre.
56 locals recommend
Port Theatre
125 Front StThe Port theatre has listings for events held at venues all over Nanaimo: blues, dance, jazz and theatre.