What to do and see in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups

August 17, 2021 Flossie Demartino

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%
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0%
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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. Vancouver Island Expeditions

Excellent
99%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
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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!

3. 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.

4. Vancouver Island Whale Watch

Excellent
90%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 176 reviews

Vancouver Island Whale Watch

Experience BC's most sustainable whale watching on an unforgettable day at sea aboard our open zodiac-style boat or our semi-covered boat. Our coastal wilderness is home to killer whales, humpback whales, sea lions, porpoises, seals, eagles, and more! Our 3-4 hour whale watching tours depart daily from downtown Nanaimo BC, April-October. We guarantee you'll see a whale, or your next trip is on us!

5. Breakout Nanaimo Escape Rooms

321 Wallace St #103, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 5B6 Canada +1 250-591-9867 [email protected] http://www.breakoutnanaimo.com
Excellent
87%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 70 reviews

Breakout Nanaimo Escape Rooms

Breakout Nanaimo is Nanaimo's original live escape room provider, hosting escape fun since 2016! With 60 minutes on the clock, your team will find clues, solve riddles and puzzles, and try to escape a uniquely themed room. Great for any age, escaping is a unique and fun experience for families, friends, & coworkers!

Reviewed By llamanysia - Nanaimo, Canada

Went with my very bright 2 adults kids and my son's very bright girlfriend. Lots to do, well-timed clues, fun brain exercise, great group activity. Will definitely be back...

6. Explore Vancouver Island

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
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5.0 based on 37 reviews

Explore Vancouver Island

Explore Vancouver Island is a tour company based in Central Vancouver Island. We collaborate with like-minded locals to offer unforgettable experiences. There is a certain feeling people get when they arrive on Vancouver Island, we like to call that “Island Time”. You will have the option to choose your own adventure and experience for yourself why Vancouver Island is such a tourism destination!

7. Nanaimo Museum

100 Museum Way, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 2X1 Canada +1 250-753-1821 [email protected] http://www.nanaimomuseum.ca
Excellent
55%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 188 reviews

Nanaimo Museum

Nanaimo Museum: Discover Nanaimo’s fascinating history in our museum located in the VI Conference Centre. The main gallery offers a sense of what life was like for Nanaimo's earliest settlers and the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Our award winning replica coal mine is a special treat. The museum also manages the Bastion, an original Hudson's Bay Company post built in 1853. Don’t miss the gift shop! Museum Hours (Fall/Winter/Spring): 10am - 5pm Monday to Saturday Summer 2020 Hours: Open Wens-Sun 10am-4pm See our website for up-to-date COVID-19 modifications to hours and admission!

Reviewed By IrmaNova - Ottawa, Canada

I was sceptical but this small museum was well-curated and charming. This stop is a must while in Nanaimo for an overview of the city’s history (including a walk-through model of a coal mine) and a rotating exhibit. While we visited, the featured exhibit was on refugees, which was very well done. Local volunteers such as Les, will happily share knowledge and stories about Nanaimo to enrich your visit.

8. WildPlay Nanaimo

Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 325 reviews

WildPlay Nanaimo

WildPlay is an exhilarating outdoor recreation park that’s fun for all ages and experience levels! Whether you’re a first-time thrill seeker or a full-time adrenaline chaser, our tightropes, log bridges, ropes swing, cargo nets, and ziplines will get your heart racing as you climb from six to sixty feet! Elevate the adrenaline rush with our "What's to Fear Jump" and take the plunge from 40ft. Our Bungy Jump, Primal Swing, and Zipline tour, will have you soaring above the Nanaimo River. 100's of feet above the water these activites are sure to get your blood pumping! WildPlay is perfect for families, friends, groups, or as a teambuilding activity. Book your WildPlay adventure today!

9. Newcastle Island

Maffeo Sutton Park Not Mathew, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9R 6X6 Canada +1 250-754-7893 [email protected] http://newcastleisland.ca
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 382 reviews

Newcastle Island

Reviewed By sharonNVBC - North Vancouver, Canada

You can take a short ferry ride to Newcastle from downtown Nanaimo. Interesting sandstone rock formations, wildlife, and and easy walking trails make this a great day trip. There are campsites and a small cafeteria near the ferry dock. Return trips can require a short wait, since the foot passenger ferries have limited capacity.

10. Brechin Lanes Bowling Centre

1870 East Wellington Rd, Nanaimo, British Columbia V9S 5X7 Canada +1 250-753-2341 [email protected] http://www.brechinlanes.ca
Excellent
52%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

Brechin Lanes Bowling Centre

At Brechin Lanes we are proud to offer 16 State-of-the-Art 5 Pin bowling lanes. We also feature: automatic scoring, bumper bowling, glow bowling, Youth & Adult & 55+ leagues, a Pro Shop for both 5 Pin needs as well as lawn bowling supplies, party facilities and a great snack bar. We also have special group and family combos. Our friendly staff are ready to help you have a great time. Brechin Lanes -- Nanaimo's Place For Family Fun -- Since 1956!

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