Stuff to Do in Nanaimo and Central Vancouver Island
Living in Nanaimo and exploring Central Vancouver Island has been an entirely new adventure for me, and honestly, I’ve fallen in love with it. It’s a little less hustle and bustle than Victoria, but it’s packed with stunning scenery, amazing parks, and a vibe that feels both laid-back and full of possibility.
One of my favorite things about this area is how easy it is to get outdoors. Central Vancouver Island feels like it’s designed for adventure. Whether you’re taking a quiet walk along the waterfront in Nanaimo or heading into the mountains for a day of hiking, there’s always something breathtaking around the corner. The ocean is almost always in view, and on a clear day, the way the sunlight dances off the water is next-level beautiful.
The parks here are unreal. Have you been to Neck Point Park? It’s one of those spots where you can wander trails that hug the coastline, find secret little beaches, and watch for seals or sea lions if you’re lucky. Then there’s Pipers Lagoon, with its rocky outcrops and calm bays. It’s the perfect place to sit with a coffee and just soak in the view—or if you’re me, start planning your next photoshoot.
And don’t get me started on the forests. One of my go-to places has to be Ammonite Falls. You hike through these lush, green woods, and then suddenly, you’re at this incredible waterfall that feels like it belongs in a movie. It’s the kind of spot that makes you stop and just… appreciate how wild and beautiful this island is.
Nanaimo’s also got that small-town charm mixed with the convenience of a city. I love wandering around downtown, checking out the quirky shops, grabbing a bite at one of the local restaurants, or just watching the boats come and go from the harbor. Speaking of the harbor, you can’t miss the iconic sea planes. There’s something so cool about watching them take off and land—it’s such a Nanaimo thing.
Of course, as a photographer, I can’t help but get excited about all the opportunities to capture this beauty. The landscapes here are endlessly inspiring, whether it’s the rugged beaches, the rolling hills of the Cowichan Valley, or the sunsets that seem to stretch on forever. I feel lucky to call this place home and to have all this natural beauty right at my doorstep.
So if you’re in Nanaimo or exploring Central Vancouver Island, don’t just stick to the main spots. Go a little further, take the road less traveled, and let this area surprise you. And hey, if you want to make those memories last, I know a photographer who’d love to help. 😉
If you’re looking to get out and explore Victoria and the south Vancouver Island, check out our stuff to do in Victoria and South Island guide here.
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Location Type | Venue Name | URL | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Winery | 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery | 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery | Comox |
Park | Alberni Valley Multiplex | ||
Indoor Attraction | Alberni Valley Museum | Port Alberni | |
Farm | Asprey Farms | Asprey Farms | Parksville |
Park | Beachcomber Regional Park | Beachcomber Regional Park | Nanoose Bay |
Beach | Blueback Beach | Nanaimo | |
Park | Bowen Park | Bowen Park | Nanaimo |
Indoor Attraction | Brechin Lanes Bowling Centre | Brechin Lanes | Nanaimo |
Beach | Cameron Lake | Cameron Lake | Alberni-Clayoquot |
Park | Cathedral Grove (MacMillan Provincial Park) | Cathedral Grove | Port Alberni |
Beach | Columbia Beach | French Creek | |
Indoor Attraction | Comox Air Force Museum | Comox Air Force Museum | Comox |
Heritage Site | Comox Archives and Museum | Comox Archives and Museum | Comox |
Park | Coombs Country Market | Coombs Country Market | Coombs |
Indoor Attraction | Courtenay & District Museum & Paleontology Centre | Courtenay Museum | Courtenay |
Heritage Site | Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk | Courtenay Riverway | Courtenay |
Outdoor Attraction | Craig Heritage Park and Museum | Craig Heritage Park and Museum | Parksville |
Indoor Attraction | Cumberland Museum & Archives | Cumberland Museum | Cumberland |
Beach | Departure Bay Beach | Nanaimo | |
Winery | Emerald Coast Vineyards & Wine Shop | Port Alberni | |
Park | Englishman River Falls Provincial Park | Englishman River Falls Provincial Park | Parksville |
Park | Filberg Park | Filberg Park | Comox |
Park | Fossli Provincial Park | Fossli Provincial Park | Port Alberni |
Beach | Gabriola Sands Provincial Park | Gabriola Island | |
Outdoor Attraction | Goats on the Roof (Coombs Old Country Market) | Goats on the Roof | Coombs |
Beach | Goose Spit Park | Goose Spit Park | Comox |
Beach | Harbour Quay | Port Alberni | |
Park | Heritage Forest | Heritage Forest | Qualicum Beach |
Outdoor Attraction | Hole in the Wall | Port Alberni | |
Outdoor Attraction | Horne Lake Caves | Horne Lake Caves | Qualicum Beach |
Indoor Attraction | I-Hos Gallery | I-Hos Gallery | Courtenay |
Beach | Invermere Beach | Nanaimo | |
Beach | Jack Point Biggs Park | Nanaimo | |
Indoor Attraction | Jumping Jiminy's | Jumping Jiminy's | Nanaimo |
Beach | Kinsmen Beach Park | Chemainus | |
Park | Kitty Coleman Provincial Park | Kitty Coleman Provincial Park | Courtenay |
Beach | Kye Bay Beach | Kye Bay Beach | Comox |
Park | Little Mountain Lookout | Little Mountain Lookout | Parksville |
Beach | Little Qualicum Beach | Qualicum Beach | |
Outdoor Attraction | Little Qualicum Cheeseworks | Little Qualicum Cheeseworks | Parksville |
Park | Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park | Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park | Qualicum Beach |
Beach | Long Lake | Nanaimo | |
Park | MacMillan Provincial Park | MacMillan Provincial Park | Port Alberni |
Park | Maffeo Sutton Park | Maffeo Sutton Park | Nanaimo |
Farm | McClintock's Farm | McClintock's Farm | Courtenay |
Outdoor Attraction | McLean Mill National Historic Site | McLean Mill National Historic Site | Port Alberni |
Indoor Attraction | McMillan Arts Centre (The MAC) | McMillan Arts Centre | Parksville |
Park | Milner Gardens & Woodland | Milner Gardens & Woodland | Qualicum Beach |
Beach | Miracle Beach Provincial Park | Miracle Beach | Black Creek |
Winery | Mooberry Winery | Parksville | |
Park | Moorecroft Regional Park | Moorecroft Regional Park | Nanoose Bay |
Outdoor Attraction | Morningstar Farm | Morningstar Farm | Parksville |
Outdoor Attraction | Mount Washington Alpine Resort | Mount Washington Alpine Resort | Courtenay |
Indoor Attraction | Nanaimo Art Gallery | Nanaimo Art Gallery | Nanaimo |
Indoor Attraction | Nanaimo Museum | Nanaimo Museum | Nanaimo |
Beach | Neck Point Park | Nanaimo | |
Park | Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park | Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park | Nanaimo |
Outdoor Attraction | North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre | North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre | Errington |
Park | Nymph Falls Nature Park | Nymph Falls Nature Park | Courtenay |
Indoor Attraction | Oceanside Place Arena | Parksville | |
Outdoor Attraction | Paradise Fun Park | Paradise Fun Park | Parksville |
Park | Parksville Community Park | Parksville Community Park | Parksville |
Indoor Attraction | Parksville Museum | Parksville Museum | Parksville |
Park | Parksville Wetlands | Parksville Wetlands | Parksville |
Beach | Pipers Lagoon Park | Nanaimo | |
Park | Qualicum Beach Community Park | Qualicum Beach Community Park | Qualicum Beach |
Indoor Attraction | Qualicum Beach Museum | Qualicum Beach Museum | Qualicum Beach |
Park | Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park | Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park | Parksville |
Indoor Attraction | Ravensong Aquatic Centre | Qualicum Beach | |
Outdoor Attraction | Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf | Riptide Lagoon | Parksville |
Indoor Attraction | Rollin Art Centre | Rollin Art Centre | Port Alberni |
Indoor Attraction | Romper Room Indoor Rock Climbing Centre | Romper Room | Nanaimo |
Park | Rosewall Creek Provincial Park | Rosewall Creek Provincial Park | Qualicum Beach |
Beach | San Pareil Beach | Parksville | |
Park | Seal Bay Nature Park | Seal Bay Nature Park | Courtenay |
Farm | Shamrock Farm | Shamrock Farm | Comox |
Farm | Sieffert's Farm Market | Sieffert's Farm | Comox |
Park | Spider Lake Provincial Park | Spider Lake Provincial Park | Qualicum Beach |
Park | Springwood Park | Springwood Park | Parksville |
Park | Stamp River Provincial Park | Stamp River Provincial Park | Port Alberni |
Indoor Attraction | Sunset Lanes Bowling Centre | Sunset Lanes | Port Alberni |
Beach | Taylor Bay Beach | Gabriola Island | |
Indoor Attraction | The Old School House Arts Centre (TOSH) | The Old School House Arts Centre | Qualicum Beach |
Indoor Attraction | The Port Theatre | The Port Theatre | Nanaimo |
Winery | The Winery in Coombs | The Winery in Coombs | Coombs |
Outdoor Attraction | Tiger Lily Farm | Tiger Lily Farm | Errington |
Park | Top Bridge Park | Top Bridge Park | Parksville |
Beach | Transfer Beach Park | Ladysmith | |
Beach | Tribune Bay Provincial Park | Hornby Island | |
Indoor Attraction | Vancouver Island Military Museum | Vancouver Island Military Museum | Nanaimo |
Indoor Attraction | Village Theatre | Village Theatre | Qualicum Beach |
Beach | Wall Beach | Nanoose Bay | |
Park | Westwood Lake Park | Westwood Lake Park | Nanaimo |
Outdoor Attraction | WildPlay Element Parks | Nanaimo |