Canadian Regional / Pacific Coastal
Phone 250-245-5121(local)
1-800-663-3721(BC)
1-800-776-3000(US)

Central Mountain Air / AirBC
Phone 250-245-7123(local)
1-800-665-1177(Canada) or 1-800-426-7000(US).

Rail Travel to Nanaimo
VIA Rail travels between Victoria and Courtenay with stops in Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Cowichan Station, Duncan, The BC Forest Discovery Centre, Chemainus and Ladysmith and Nanaimo. Please check with VIA rail to ensure that this service is still running.

VIA Rail - 1-888-VIA-RAIL

Nanaimo's name is derived from the Coast Salish word "Snuneymuxw", which means 'great and mighty people.' White settlers adapted the word to Nanaimo. The Hudson's Bay Company discovered coal deposits in the area in the mid 1800's. The Company needed workers to mine the rich deposits, and they placed notices in British newspapers in the spring of 1854. Twenty-four English and Scottish families responded and travelled to Nanaimo by steamship.

To protect Nanaimo a Bastion Fort was constructed in Nanaimo's boat basin. "Bastion" served as a storage, defense arsenal and clerk's office for running the township, with cannons at the ready. The fort has since been renovated and transformed into a museum, and it gives great insight into the way of life a century ago.

Asian residents were also a big part of the early history of Nanaimo. In 1911 the Japanese established a settlement on Newcastle Island that included a successful ship building factory, herring salteries and a cannery. The salted herring was packed in large pine boxes and shipped across the Pacific. A number of Chinese migrants created their own community in the heart of the city at the turn of the century. In 1960, the Chinese community was destroyed by a spectacular and controversial fire.

By 1938 Nanaimo's mining industry was replaced by logging as the major industry in the region, and a pulp and paper mill was constructed near Duke Point. Nanaimo now has a diversified economy which includes fish farming and research facilities, leading-edge technology industries and Malaspina university-college.

Nanaimo is one of the most beautiful harbourfront cities on the West Coast. Nanaimo is one of the transfer points as there is easy access to Nanaimo from Vancouver via BC Ferries. Nanaimo has an incredible volume of shopping opportunities. Scenic beauty can be found along the shoreline and inland surrounding the city. The city is full of parks and has one of the finest wave pools anywhere. Must sees are the native petroglyphs, Newcastle Island Provincial Park, the only floating pub in Canada - Dinghy Dock, the Museum and Bastion (fort) and the Malaspina Galleries on Gabriola Island. Nanaimo is a launch pad to the rest of beautiful Vancouver Island. Experience the variety of activities available in Nanaimo or the incredible outdoor opportunities. Don't bypass this city and all it has to offer.

Activities and Attractions:

Take the heritage walking tour that takes you to the buildings and places that have shaped the city of Nanaimo. Markers, plaques and wall mountings give detailed descriptions of the historic value of the stops along the way. Explore grant nineteenth century architecture, railroad and coal connections and more.

The Nanaimo District Museum has superb displays of First Nations artifacts and crafts, tour through old-time Nanaimo and the short-lived Chinatown and walkthrough a life-like replica of a coal mine. in the lower gallery featuring the Snuneymuxw First Nation and Nanaimo's coal-mining history, while the upper gallery features a social and economic timeline of Nanaimo's history
including the history of Chinatown, our harbourfront, industry, retail, sports and education. Outside is an authentic miner's cottage and railway engine. Check out the noon-hour cannon firings during the summer at the Nanaimo Bastion Fort, the red pagoda memorial to Nanaimo's Chinese pioneers near Departure Bay ferry terminal and the Vancouver Island Military Museum in Rutherford Mall.

For something unique try Bungy Jumping at the "Bungy Jumping Zone" just south of the city on the Nanaimo River or check out the first nation petroglyphs at Petroglyph Park on the south end of Nanaimo.

Nanaimo has it all: heritage attractions, a burgeoning arts and culture scene and a myriad of recreational activities to suit every budget. Try diving, kayaking, sailing, swimming, play tennis, soccer, hockey, enjoy curling, bowling, golfing, cycling, camping and wild life watching and more.. Nanaimo has numerous parks and hiking trails around the city or you can take the familoy to the petting zoo and nature centre.

Visit Fisherman's Wharf to buy fresh seafood or shop in the downtown boutiques. Nanaimo is a vibrant city with lots to do and see.

Nanaimo Location

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Nanaimo Temperature

Temperature: Nanaimo has mild weather year round. Summer temperatures range between 15 and 30 C and winter temperatures are mild. Snow is not common.

ACCOMMODATIONS
There is a variety of good accommodations in Nanaimo and throughout the surrounding area including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, camping and more.

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