Nanaimo, Central Vancouver Island, Vancouver Island, BC
Nanaimo is located on the east side of Vancouver Island, along the Strait of Georgia. Nanaimo is Vancouver Island's second-largest city and its loca...
Nanaimo is located on the east side of Vancouver Island, along the Strait of Georgia. Nanaimo is Vancouver Island’s second-largest city and its location and travel connections make it a good starting point for exploring Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
This part of the island has one of the mildest and sunniest climates in Canada. The scenery is quintessentially Vancouver Island: temperate coastal rainforests, sparkling ocean and majestic mountain ranges.
The city had its beginning as a trading post in the early 1800s. In 1849 the Snuneymuxw chief informed the Hudson’s Bay Company of the presence of coal in the area. By 1853 the company had built a fort known as the Nanaimo Bastion. Incorporated in 1874, Nanaimo is the third oldest city in British Columbia.
Since then Nanaimo has become a great place to live, work and visit. The city offers a clean, accessible waterfront, cultural festivals in the summer, a university campus, and superb scenery.
Located 70 miles (112 km) north of Victoria, and 35 miles (55 km) west of Vancouver, Nanaimo is separated from the lower mainland by the Strait of Georgia. Nanaimo is well connected. BC Ferries runs large ferries from Nanaimo to Vancouver every couple of hours connecting public transit on either side. Seaplanes are constantly coming and going from the downtown waterfront on their way to and from downtown Vancouver or Vancouver International Airport. Nanaimo also has a airport south of town.
By virtue of its connections and proximity to Vancouver, Nanaimo is the gateway to many other destinations both on the island – Tofino, Comox Valley, Campbell River, Port Alberni, Chemainus, … Off the Vancouver Island coast you will find: Newcastle Island, Protection Island, Gabriola Island, Valdes Island, and many other of the Gulf Islands.
Whether you are a visitor, business person or a baby boomer looking for a place to retire to, this City has all the services you could ask for. From the big box stores and malls in the North to the intimate unique boutiques and cafes downtown, it is all here.
The bustling harbour is the central focus for visitors to Nanaimo, with freighters, fishing boats, tugboats and barges, sail boats and float planes all coming and going from the downtown waterfront.
Nanaimo offers the perfect mix of work and play activities. With its pristine beauty, the incredible variety of adventures and the many activities you can choose from it is a great place to visit or live.
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