Beyond Nanaimo

Should you want something more than the virtually limitless opportunities a fifteen minute drive can get you in Nanaimo, you can head “madly off in all directions” for further adventures. Here is a brief sampling of what awaits you.

North

You can . . . drive about 20 minutes north to the Parksville/Qualicum Beach area (www.visitparksvillequalicumbeach.com) and wade at low tide at Rathtrevor Beach (the tide goes out about a kilometer at times) among the sand dollars and sunflower stars . . . cave at Horne Lake Caves  . . . ski in winter or hike in summer at Mount Washington Alpine Resort (www.mountwashington.ca) . . . enjoy a peaceful natural retreat in the Discovery Islands (www.discoveryislands.ca) . . . fish at Campbell River, Canada’s Salmon Capital . . . take a nature viewing boat tour from the North Island to see whales, grizzly bears, and other wildlife . . . and, of course, the usual hike, bike, canoe, kayak, sail, boat, climb, golf, and/or camp.

South

You can . . . tour the streets of Ladysmith, one of Canada’s prettiest towns . . . view the murals or go to the theatre in Chemainus . . . taste wines in the Cowichan Valley . . . take a scenic ferry ride to Saltspring or one of the other Gulf Islands (www.SeeTheIslands.com) . . . wander in awe through Butchart Gardens . . . or enjoy tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria.

East

You can . . . well, what can’t you do in Vancouver? Did we mention that on clear winter nights, we can see the lights of the three ski runs in the Vancouver area from Nanaimo? Yup, we’re just 48.3 kilometres (30 miles) from the site of the 2010 Olympic Games.

West

(We saved our favourite for the last.) You can . . . well actually you can’t not go to Tofino, Ucluelet, and Pacific Rim National Park (www.longbeachmaps.com) on the west coast of the Island. The just over 2-hour trip takes you along one of the country’s most scenic drives. You arrive at a series of pristine beaches, rocky tide pools, rainforest hiking trails, world-class resorts and the quaint villages of Tofino and Ucluelet, a veritable mecca of eco-tourism. Check out the link because words just can’t do justice to this area!

Additional Links

Island Map
www.travelamap.com/canada/vancouverIsland.htm

BC Ferries
www.bcferries.com

Seair Seaplanes
www.seairseaplanes.com

Harbour Air
www.harbour-air.com

West Coast Air
www.westcoastair.com

Nanaimo Airport
www.nanaimoairport.com

Tofino Bus (service to Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim – carries surfboards and bikes)
www.tofinobus.com

Tracks Outdoor Adventures
www.tracksoutdooradventures.com

Kayaking Along the Pacific Coastline
www.bcrmarinetrails.org/

Stubbs Island (whale and other wildlife watching on the North Island)
www.stubbs-island.com