Top 10 Outdoor Activities in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island

June 1, 2021 Trinity Boughner

Vancouver Island's second-largest city is a picturesque oceanfront town with fabulous mountain views and a busy harbor. Home to events like the harbor's Bathtub Race, the city of 75,000 offers outdoor opportunities from full-moon kayaking to golfing. Boat-fresh seafood graces tables at an ever-increasing number of restaurants. This gateway to island adventures is easily reached by fast ferry or floatplane from downtown Vancouver or by scheduled ferries from Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen.
Restaurants in Nanaimo

1. Wildheart Adventures

Excellent
98%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 129 reviews

Wildheart Adventures

Join us in our 30th season exploring gorgeous Vancouver Island. Kayak with orca whales in Johnstone Strait, grey whales in Clayoquot Sound. Our tours feature gourmet camping cuisine, fun-loving certified guides, premium kayaking and safety equipment and we have offer both camping and lodge based tours. Check out our Daytrips here in Nanaimo paddling the gorgeous waters of the Gulf Islands.

2. Nanaimo Dive Outfitters

Excellent
95%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 92 reviews

Nanaimo Dive Outfitters

Nanaimo Dive Outfitters and Shepherd Charters provide scuba diving and snorkeling lessons, tours, charters, sales and service to people from all over the world. Dive and stay packages are available. BC has the best cold water diving in the world with unique sealife. Nanaimo offers some of the best shore access as well as boat trips. NDO can provide equipment and a guide to help you enjoy whatever underwater experience you desire. From shore snorkel trips and scuba diving to boat charters to go snorkeling with the seals or scuba diving, there is something for everyone. The Shepherd is our 33ft aluminum dive boat that can take you to some great dive spots including walls, reefs, and artificial reefs or wrecks. She has a large covered deck, storage space below the benches and over head nets for dry storage, an awesome dive ladder, and a marine head.

3. Sink or Swim Scuba

Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

Sink or Swim Scuba

We are a PADI 5 star scuba shop. Learn with us, dive with us all year round. Hire a Dive master for a personal tour of our favorite dive sites. Upgrade your open water certification to an advanced or dry suit course. We'd like to show you why Vancouver Island is rated a top ten dive destination year after year.

4. Harbour Air Seaplanes

Excellent
85%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 59 reviews

Harbour Air Seaplanes

Founded in 1982 with two small seaplanes, Harbour Air is North America’s largest and first fully carbon neutral airline. With a goal to become the world’s first fully carbon zero airline, in 2019 Harbour Air successfully developed and flew the world’s first fully electric commercial aircraft. The company’s international seaplane service, which originally began as a service for the forestry industry in B.C., is now a quintessential, trusted, west coast experience. With a showcase fleet of aircraft, Harbour Air offers up to 300 daily scheduled flights, scenic tours, adventure packages, and private flights. With 12 scheduled destinations connecting Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle (WA), Nanaimo, Tofino, Whistler, Richmond (YVR South), Sechelt, Salt Spring Island, Pitt Meadows, Maple Bay and Comox, B.C. born Harbour Air welcomes 500,000 passengers a year.

5. Vancouver Island Expeditions

Excellent
99%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 158 reviews

Vancouver Island Expeditions

We create authentic, intimate and memorable visitor experiences while honouring the culture, heritage, and natural beauty of Vancouver Island. Let us show you our backyard and help you discover places that inspire stories!

6. Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours

Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours

Reel Time Fishing Charters & Marine Tours is a premier charter service offering a variety of fishing charters as well as three distinct scenic and wildlife tours. With over a decade of marine experience in Nanaimo, a fully equipped and licensed vessel and convenient moorage right next to the Departure Bay ferry terminal, you will be sure to enjoy your trip.

7. Pedego Electric Bikes

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

Pedego Electric Bikes

Take a ride down to the beach or up into the mountains on our comfortable, fun to ride Pedego electric bikes and watch the hills disappear behind you. Recapture the fun of being a kid on a bike again – able to go anywhere, forever. We’re located on Dublin St Ave just off the Island Highway.

8. lsland Marine Adventures

Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 158 reviews

lsland Marine Adventures

Customized Sailing / Motorized Catamaran Excursions. Ideal for individuals, couples, Family Celebrations, Private Charters, Sunset Cruises, Bridal Showers, Staff Events, Celebrations of Life, etc.

9. Unreel Fishing Charters

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7 reviews

Unreel Fishing Charters

Come aboard and let Unreel Fishing Charters show you the best of British Columbia's saltwater fishing. We offer everything from half day charters to multiple day trips with accommodation and offer some of the most affordable rates in the business. Vancouver Island is home to some of the most famous and world renowned Salmon and Halibut fishing. Join us to experience the fishing trip of a lifetime!

10. Sunshine Coast Air

Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 34 reviews

Sunshine Coast Air

The Plane is waiting to take you on a spectacular Flightseeing Tour adventure. Soar over stunning coastline, islands and the Sechelt Inlet experiencing the most beautiful and breathtaking scenery. Depending on your time and budget you can expand your exploration to include glacier lakes, majestic waterfalls, and snow tipped mountains. You’ll fly in our classic de Havilland Beaver seaplane.

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