Famous for its
varied landscapes and more than two dozen parks, the city of
Nanaimo boasts one of the prettiest waterfronts in Canada,
conveniently located to serve as a home base for exploring
Vancouver Island.
Nanaimo is the only all-purpose port city on Vancouver Island,
with every facility required to serve both the commercial and
recreational needs of business and tourism.
Once the location of five separate native villages, its name
derives from a Coast Salish word, Sney-ny-mo, the
"meeting place" - a perfect description of the
rapidly-growing harbor community at the center of Vancouver
Island's highway and ferry system. A playground of land and sea
activities, Nanaimo is a perfect place for a family vacation, a
year-round golf getaway, or a romantic weekend.
Incorporated
in 1874, Nanaimo is the third oldest city in British Columbia and
the second largest on Vancouver Island, located on the east coast
of southern Vancouver Island, 70 miles (112 km) north of Victoria.
A former coal-mining town, Nanaimo has evolved into something very
different, with a clean, accessible waterfront, cultural festivals
in the summer, a university campus with a marvelous view, and
superb dining.
The bustling harbor is the central focus for visitors to
Nanaimo, with freighters, fishing boats, tugboats and barges, sail
boats and float planes all coming and going in a hive of activity
in the harbor. Choose from wildlife cruises, kayaking trips, or
fishing charters.
No matter what your business, Nanaimo offers the perfect mix of
work and play. With its pristine beauty, the incredible array of
adventures and activities available, the city is the ideal
destination for conventions and meetings. Whether your meeting or
convention hosts 50 or 580 people, Nanaimo fits your every need
with its wide range of facilities, including the 800-seat Port
Theatre.
There are over 1,000 rooms available in the city, with several
major hotel and motel chains.
Population: 78,271
Location: Centrally located on the east coast of Vancouver
Island, Nanaimo is 111 km north of Victoria.
Nanaimo serves as a major ferry terminal linking Vancouver
Island with the B.C. mainland. BC Ferries operates a scheduled
ferry service between Departure Bay in Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay
on the north shore of Vancouver, and from Duke Point in Nanaimo to
the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal, south of Vancouver. Regular ferry
services are available from downtown Nanaimo to nearby Gabriola
Island and Newcastle
Island in Nanaimo Harbor.
Nanaimo Airport is located just 15 minutes south of downtown
and serves an average of 20 flights daily between Nanaimo and Vancouver,
Abbotsford
and Langley.
An airport shuttle service, taxis, and car rentals are available
at the airport. You can also opt to fly into Nanaimo harbor's
seaplane terminal in the heart of downtown. Service is frequent
and offers spectacular scenery en rout
