Central Vancouver Island Activity Guide

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.

Nanaimo, BC Canada

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 TypeVenue NameURLLocation
Winery40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery40 Knots Vineyard and Estate WineryComox
ParkAlberni Valley Multiplex
Indoor AttractionAlberni Valley MuseumPort Alberni
FarmAsprey FarmsAsprey FarmsParksville
ParkBeachcomber Regional ParkBeachcomber Regional ParkNanoose Bay
BeachBlueback BeachNanaimo
ParkBowen ParkBowen ParkNanaimo
Indoor AttractionBrechin Lanes Bowling CentreBrechin LanesNanaimo
BeachCameron LakeCameron LakeAlberni-Clayoquot
ParkCathedral Grove (MacMillan Provincial Park)Cathedral GrovePort Alberni
BeachColumbia BeachFrench Creek
Indoor AttractionComox Air Force MuseumComox Air Force MuseumComox
Heritage SiteComox Archives and MuseumComox Archives and MuseumComox
ParkCoombs Country MarketCoombs Country MarketCoombs
Indoor AttractionCourtenay & District Museum & Paleontology CentreCourtenay MuseumCourtenay
Heritage SiteCourtenay Riverway Heritage WalkCourtenay RiverwayCourtenay
Outdoor AttractionCraig Heritage Park and MuseumCraig Heritage Park and MuseumParksville
Indoor AttractionCumberland Museum & ArchivesCumberland MuseumCumberland
BeachDeparture Bay BeachNanaimo
WineryEmerald Coast Vineyards & Wine ShopPort Alberni
ParkEnglishman River Falls Provincial ParkEnglishman River Falls Provincial ParkParksville
ParkFilberg ParkFilberg ParkComox
ParkFossli Provincial ParkFossli Provincial ParkPort Alberni
BeachGabriola Sands Provincial ParkGabriola Island
Outdoor AttractionGoats on the Roof (Coombs Old Country Market)Goats on the RoofCoombs
BeachGoose Spit ParkGoose Spit ParkComox
BeachHarbour QuayPort Alberni
ParkHeritage ForestHeritage ForestQualicum Beach
Outdoor AttractionHole in the WallPort Alberni
Outdoor AttractionHorne Lake CavesHorne Lake CavesQualicum Beach
Indoor AttractionI-Hos GalleryI-Hos GalleryCourtenay
BeachInvermere BeachNanaimo
BeachJack Point Biggs ParkNanaimo
Indoor AttractionJumping Jiminy'sJumping Jiminy'sNanaimo
BeachKinsmen Beach ParkChemainus
ParkKitty Coleman Provincial ParkKitty Coleman Provincial ParkCourtenay
BeachKye Bay BeachKye Bay BeachComox
ParkLittle Mountain LookoutLittle Mountain LookoutParksville
BeachLittle Qualicum BeachQualicum Beach
Outdoor AttractionLittle Qualicum CheeseworksLittle Qualicum CheeseworksParksville
ParkLittle Qualicum Falls Provincial ParkLittle Qualicum Falls Provincial ParkQualicum Beach
BeachLong LakeNanaimo
ParkMacMillan Provincial ParkMacMillan Provincial ParkPort Alberni
ParkMaffeo Sutton ParkMaffeo Sutton ParkNanaimo
FarmMcClintock's FarmMcClintock's FarmCourtenay
Outdoor AttractionMcLean Mill National Historic SiteMcLean Mill National Historic SitePort Alberni
Indoor AttractionMcMillan Arts Centre (The MAC)McMillan Arts CentreParksville
ParkMilner Gardens & WoodlandMilner Gardens & WoodlandQualicum Beach
BeachMiracle Beach Provincial ParkMiracle BeachBlack Creek
WineryMooberry WineryParksville
ParkMoorecroft Regional ParkMoorecroft Regional ParkNanoose Bay
Outdoor AttractionMorningstar FarmMorningstar FarmParksville
Outdoor AttractionMount Washington Alpine ResortMount Washington Alpine ResortCourtenay
Indoor AttractionNanaimo Art GalleryNanaimo Art GalleryNanaimo
Indoor AttractionNanaimo MuseumNanaimo MuseumNanaimo
BeachNeck Point ParkNanaimo
ParkNewcastle Island Marine Provincial ParkNewcastle Island Marine Provincial ParkNanaimo
Outdoor AttractionNorth Island Wildlife Recovery CentreNorth Island Wildlife Recovery CentreErrington
ParkNymph Falls Nature ParkNymph Falls Nature ParkCourtenay
Indoor AttractionOceanside Place ArenaParksville
Outdoor AttractionParadise Fun ParkParadise Fun ParkParksville
ParkParksville Community ParkParksville Community ParkParksville
Indoor AttractionParksville MuseumParksville MuseumParksville
ParkParksville WetlandsParksville WetlandsParksville
BeachPipers Lagoon ParkNanaimo
ParkQualicum Beach Community ParkQualicum Beach Community ParkQualicum Beach
Indoor AttractionQualicum Beach MuseumQualicum Beach MuseumQualicum Beach
ParkRathtrevor Beach Provincial ParkRathtrevor Beach Provincial ParkParksville
Indoor AttractionRavensong Aquatic CentreQualicum Beach
Outdoor AttractionRiptide Lagoon Adventure GolfRiptide LagoonParksville
Indoor AttractionRollin Art CentreRollin Art CentrePort Alberni
Indoor AttractionRomper Room Indoor Rock Climbing CentreRomper RoomNanaimo
ParkRosewall Creek Provincial ParkRosewall Creek Provincial ParkQualicum Beach
BeachSan Pareil BeachParksville
ParkSeal Bay Nature ParkSeal Bay Nature ParkCourtenay
FarmShamrock FarmShamrock FarmComox
FarmSieffert's Farm MarketSieffert's FarmComox
ParkSpider Lake Provincial ParkSpider Lake Provincial ParkQualicum Beach
ParkSpringwood ParkSpringwood ParkParksville
ParkStamp River Provincial ParkStamp River Provincial ParkPort Alberni
Indoor AttractionSunset Lanes Bowling CentreSunset LanesPort Alberni
BeachTaylor Bay BeachGabriola Island
Indoor AttractionThe Old School House Arts Centre (TOSH)The Old School House Arts CentreQualicum Beach
Indoor AttractionThe Port TheatreThe Port TheatreNanaimo
WineryThe Winery in CoombsThe Winery in CoombsCoombs
Outdoor AttractionTiger Lily FarmTiger Lily FarmErrington
ParkTop Bridge ParkTop Bridge ParkParksville
BeachTransfer Beach ParkLadysmith
BeachTribune Bay Provincial ParkHornby Island
Indoor AttractionVancouver Island Military MuseumVancouver Island Military MuseumNanaimo
Indoor AttractionVillage TheatreVillage TheatreQualicum Beach
BeachWall BeachNanoose Bay
ParkWestwood Lake ParkWestwood Lake ParkNanaimo
Outdoor AttractionWildPlay Element ParksNanaimo
Tags: British Columbia, Planning Tips and Guides, Vancouver Island

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