Air Travel to Nanaimo
The Nanaimo Airport is about a 10 minute drive south of Nanaimo.
There are several daily 15 minute flights from the Vancouver Airport
to Cassidy. Victoria International is the closest International
Airport and is approximately a 2 hour drive from Nanaimo.
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 Parksville
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,
Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Please check with VIA rail
to ensure that this service is still running.
VIA
Rail - 1-888-VIA-RAIL
Attractions and Activities
Golf - With its stunning natural setting and breathtaking
ocean vistas, Fairwinds Golf and Country Club is one of Western
Canada's finest golf facilities. Pristine surroundings, panoramic
views and abundant wildlife offer an unforgettable golf experience.
Fishing
and Boat Charters - Fairwinds Schooner Cove Marina is located
on the coastline of the Nanoose Peninsula, Minutes walk from Island
Treasures Bed and Breakfast (B & B) where the local waters
offer a fantastic array of boating delights.
Marina - At Schooner Cove Marina they offer boaters a full range of amenities
at there 360 slip marina. Docking is available for vessels up
to 150 feet.
ARBUTUS
GROVE PROVINCIAL PARK:
ENGLISHMAN
RIVER FALLS PARK offers offers a large day area picnicking
facility , hiker's trails, swimming and fishing holes, besides
the gorgeous waterfalls. There are plenty of stairs, bridges and
trails. According to legend, the river acquired its name more
than 100 years ago, when Indians discovered the skeleton of a
white man along the river banks. To find the park, travel approximately
5 km west of Parksville on Highway 4A and turn left at Errington
Road and follow the signs to the park (approximately 8 km).
HORNE LAKE CAVES PROVINCIAL PARK a great place for a picnic,
trout fishing or exploring the limestone caves. Three of the caves
are open to the public year-round however the main cave is closed
to the public during the winter, and tours are given during the
summer months. Travel 25.6 km north of Parksville and turn left
on Horne Lake Road. It's 11.2 km to the lake and another 8 km
to the caves.
LITTLE QUALICUM FALLS PROVINCIAL PARK offers beautful waterfalls
and plenty of hiking trails, picturesque foot bridges and great
picnic areas. Travel 19.2 km west of Parksville on Highway 4 and
watch for the sign.
RATHTREVOR BEACH PROVINCIAL PARK is famous for its shallow
sandy swimming beach where high tide offers the warmest ocean
swimming in British Columbia. Average water temperature in the
summer is 21 degrees Celsius. This popular beach park is great
for afternoon strolls or picnics. Bird lovers will be interested
to note that more than 150 different species of birds have been
recorded in the park. When the tide goes out explore the biggest
beaches anywhere. The park is located 1 1/2 km south of Parksville.
MacMILLAN PROVINCIAL PARK (CATHEDRAL GROVE) This grove
of giant trees was given to the Province in 1944 by H.R. MacMillan.
Some of these giants are over 800 years old. Following a big fire
nearly 300 years ago, the "new" towering Douglas Fir
trees which have since grown and reached giant size, make up the
majority of the "new" forest. The grove is located 32
km west of Parksville on Highway 4.
MOUNT ARROWSMITH offers hiking in the summer and a breathtaking
view of Vancouver Island. The major hiking trail up the mountain,
Mount Arrowsmith Trail, starts off at the Cameron Lake picnic
site and winds its way up to the 6,000 foot summit. (Watch carefully
for the sign, it's not very large). The trail takes between 3
to 9 hours and is moderate hiking. Parksville attributes its mild
climate to Mount Arrowsmith. the mountain breaks up weather patterns
coming in off the Pacific.
BIG QUALICUM FISH HATCHERY is operated by the Federal Fisheries
for the enhancement of our salmon resources and is open to the
public. The hatchery is particularly interesting during spawning
season during which you can watch the salmon fighting to get up
the river to lay their eggs. If you time it right, you may see
the staff "milk" the eggs from the salmon. The eggs
are then hatched under conditions controlled by the staff of the
hatchery. The hatchery is located 25.6 km north of Parksville.
CRAIG HERITAGE PARK is located about 3 km south of Parksville
on the Island Highway. On location are some local heritage buildings
and artifacts depicting the lives of these early pioneers.
RHODODENDRON LAKE is busting out every spring, in late
May or early June. The shores of Rhododendron Lake are lined with
a stunning pink rhododendrons. Botonists believe that these beautiful
wild rhododendrons survived the last Ice Age. Access to the lake
is by private logging road. Check signs posted at the entrance
of Northwest Bay Logging Division, approximately 7.2 km south
of Parksville.
CAMERON LAKE is fed from glaciers from Mt. Arrowsmith and
is a deep water lake filled with trout. Cameron Lake is very picturesque
on calm days when reflections are mirrored in the water. The lake
is situated between Little Qualicum Falls and Cathedral Grove
on Highway 4 and has camping, swimming and picnic areas.
COOMBS is a small community only a few kilometers west
of Parksville on Highway 4A. There is an abundance of small craft
shops and services at coombs and the centre piece that created
Cooms is the Coombs market, famous for the goat that resides on
the roof.
LOCATION
Top
Nanoose
Bay Temperature
Weather - Nanoose Bay is blessed with one of the mildest climates
in Canada, all year round. We are protected from Pacific weather
systems by the range of mountains which run the length of Vancouver
Island, and further moderated by the Strait of Georgia.
CAMPING
There is an excellent camp ground at Rathtreavor
Beach Provincial Park just a short distance from Nanoose Bay.
ACCOMMODATIONS
There is a variety of good accommodations in Nanoose and throughout the surrounding area including hotels, motels,
bed and breakfasts, camping and more.
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