Nanaimo is all about outdoor adventure. From our hundreds of kilometres of hiking and biking trails, 200 hundred parks, 3 artificial reefs, oceanside setting, plethora of marinas, single track and BMX, climbing and hurling yourself off a 44 metre bridge, there is an activity for everyone. Sure we have indoor stuff to do but you've come all this way, why would you want to spend your time indoors? Well if you do, we've listed some of those too!
NANAIMO KIDS ACTIVITIES
And what about your kids! We've listed the best kids stuff to do as well
NANAIMO'S GREATEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
SCUBA DIVING Nanaimo is home to some of the best temperate water diving in the world. Known as the Emerald Sea, the waters off Vancouver Island have been hailed by Jacques Cousteau as his second favourite dive location in the world. In particular Nanaimo is blessed with 3 artificial reefs: Cape Breton, world's second largest artificial reef, Saskatchewan, British Columbia's most popular artificial reef and the RivTow Lion a shallower wreck training dive. Snake Island is home to the Cape Breton and Saskatchewan and an excellent wall dive popular with most underwater explorers. Nanaimo is also home to BC's second most popular dive, Dodd Narrows. This drift dive is exhilarating and provides a great environment to see it all! Come to Nanaimo to see our wolf eels, Giant Pacific octopus, nudibranchs, kelp, anemones and sponges. For more information and pricing visit Diving BC.com or call 1-877-282-6337.
MOUNTAIN BIKING With at least 90 kilometres of trails just off Dumont Road, there is a ton of riding here. Tackle the Abyss or Humility rides. How about Mt. Benson's West Ridge Trails which range from 600 to 3200 feet. We've got logging roads, hydro lines and some serious hard core North Shore rides. Guests to Nanaimo can join up with the Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club for up to 3 rides before becoming a member. Most of their rides are cross-country, single track, which usually involves climbing in order to enjoy the downhill. Head to Pacific Rim Bicycles for more information and maps or call 250-390-2077.
SNORKELING WITH THE SEALS Spend a few exciting hours snorkeling with up to 250 harbour seals that reside at Snake Island off Nanaimo! This is an accessible year-round adventure for all capable swimmers in your family aged 12 and over! It’s sure to be the highlight of your Vancouver Island wilderness experience. Be prepared for a good frolic with the seals and some close encounters of the photography kind. These playful characters are as curious about you as you are about them! Tours leave in the mid afternoon and usually take 2 hours with 1 hour in the water.For more information and pricing visit Diving BC.com or call 1-877-282-6337.
KAYAKING The Northern Gulf Islands comprise over 200 hundred islands, large and small. A perfect place to scoot around in a sea kayak and check out the little coves, tidal pools and sandstone galleries that make up our part of the world. Newcastle Island and the Dinghy Dock make a perfect leisurely day trip in a kayak. Paddle around the Island and then head over for a meal at the pub. Or paddle out to Snake Island and play around with the seals. Gabriola Island is home to the Malaspina Galleries, sandstone formations created by tidal erosion. Several companies operate out of Nanaimo and offer overnight trips, day trips, Full Moon Howls and Seafood Dinners. Sounds good doesn't it. Visit Alberni Outpost or call The Kayak Shack at (250) 753-3234.
BUNGEE JUMPING Want to get your adrenalin rushing? Come to the world-famous Bungy Zone Adrenalin Centre, where you can bungy jump over the Nanaimo river, hit radical speeds on the ultimate swing or ride the high-speed zip line through the river canyon. These are adrenalin pumping, heart thumping high speed thrills that you can’t afford to miss. You can bungee jump “classic style” or join the growing group of naked bungee jumpers that gather annually to “let it all hang out” as they bungee jump in the buff. You must at least go to the Bungy Zone and watch the action. Ranked in 2006 by the National Post as 19th out of 100 things to do in Canada before you die, the Bungy Zone also offers paintball and skydiving.
WINERY TOURS Now we know that this is not a high adrenaline 'sport' but hey you are on vacation 
after all. The tour takes you to Cherry Point Vineyards and Hillary's Cheese Pointe Farm in the Cowichan Valley, less than 40 minutes from Nanaimo. Take a walking tour of the vineyard and then (this is the best part folks) taste a selection of wine in a newly renovated tasting room and patio with a West Coast Native design. After sampling, browse through the vineyard or relax on the patio. Afterwards you'll stop at Hillary's Cheese Farm to sample some of their great local cheeses. Visit Paula at Tracks Outdoor Adventures or call 1-877-848-8732.
ATV'S Hop on that ATV and let's head for the hills! The view from the top is breathtaking and the ride up is sensational. Track n Trail ATV offers 2 and 4 hour tours as well as full day tours. Explore the back country of Nanaimo. Stop for a cool lake swim, do some fly fishing or hike into Ammonite Falls. Share with Jim & Karen some of the rugged wilderness of British Columbia's Coastal Mountain Range while on your comfortable and easy-to-operate All Terrain Vehicle (ATV).
SAILING Spend a few days with Captain Bill on the Takuli III in and around Nanaimo, Georgia Strait and the Gulf Islands. Visit coastal communities and share their arts, crafts and culture. View rich ecosystems and diverse wildlife against a backdrop of incredible scenery. Explore the shoreline at leisure in our double kayak or rowing dinghy. Anchor in quiet bays at night and enjoy healthy, delicious food. Or skipper your own sail or power boat from Nanaimo Yacht Charters as long as you're qualified!
SKYDIVING The Bungy Zone will be offering a new thrill starting the summer of 2006: skydiving. Stay tuned for this action!
NANAIMO'S GREATEST INDOOR ADVENTURES
ROCK CLIMBING Too wet outside, well climb inside! The Romper Room Indoor Climbing Center is a state of the art climbing facility with over 7,500 square feet of climbing surface.The many different climbing angles, from gentle slabs to a huge overhanging lead cave, provide something for everyone. The dedicated bouldering cave has hundreds of problems to work both your body and imagination. Why go climbing? Some people climb for the exercise or simply because they like to wear a tight harness and pointy rubber shoes. Whatever the reason, climbing is a satisfying sport that is never dull, so come on and give it a try!
NANAIMO KIDS ACTIVITIES
Nanaimo is full of things for the young and young at heart to do. Whether it's an indoor attraction or playing in our great outdoors, you're kids will leave our community with many fond memories.
TOP NANAIMO OUTDOOR KIDS ACTIVITIES
NEWCASTLE ISLAND PROVINCIAL PARK Take a ferry (summer months) to Newcastle and explore our mining history, play on the playground, beachcomb, hike around the island or swim in Kanaka Bay. Ferry leaves from in front of the playground in Maffeo-Sutton park.
Newcastle Island is a great place for kids. There is something for everyone. You don't need to worry about traffic or losing your children. Take a bocci ball set and play on the huge grassy areas. A small restaurant serves lunchs, drinks and ice cream.
HARBOURFRONT WALKWAY Something the whole family can do. Watch the ferries, sailboats, fish boats and others come and go. Floatplanes taking off, seals popping their heads up and a good lick of bubblegum ice cream. Perfect. Pioneer Plaza on the waterfront.
PETTING ZOOS The Shady Mile Market has a year round petting zoo chock full of animals and a great little market. They are also the home of the Nanaimo Pumpkin Festival, a very local and popular event starting in mid-October. 3452 Jinglepot Road, 729-3801.
PIPERS LAGOON PARK One of the best parks in town. Skip rocks from the beach, climb a mountain, watch the lagoon rise and fall with the tides, go for a swim and take a hike through a Garry Oak forest. Or watch the scuba divers jump from their boats as they search for wolf eels. Hugely popular park with picnic ground and public washrooms.
FISHING AND CRABBING PIER Just in front of Swy-a-Lana lagoon is a long fishing pier where locals go to catch a bit of crab or do some fishing. You can watch as they tie a piece of chicken or salmon head into the trap and then lower it to the bottom of the Harbour. But they have to watch for the seals who will try to steal their bait. While you're there have a walk along the cement pools at the mouth of the Lagoon. You can see lots of little crabs and even grab onto some bull kelp.
NOON CANNON FIRING AT THE BASTION Every day in the summer months, at the stroke of noon, one of the cannons at the Bastion are fired.
A great local tradition. The cannon is really discharged and the boom is very loud, so loud you hear it through out town. Best to keep smaller child further away. Costumed interpreters provide a historical context to the origins of the Bastion. Go on, ask one of the interpreters if you can light the cannon! Makes for a memorable part of your holiday.
BUNGEE JUMPING Twelve yet? If so you can go bungee jumping or if you're younger you can watch those wacky guys plunge off a bridge dip their head in the Nanaimo River! They built a bridge over the Nanaimo River and you can plunge 44 metres or 143 ft down and spring right back up again. Ranked #19 in Canada's Top 100 Trips (National Post, January 7, 2006).
GO SWIMMING You have choices in Nanaimo. Go for a dip in the ocean at Departure Bay beach. Play at the waterpark across the street. Or swim in the lake at Long Lake, Westwood Lake or Brannen Lake. Either way, a great way to cool off.
TOP NANAIMO INDOOR KIDS ACTIVITIES
Raining outside? Here are a few popular ideas for those days when they just can't be outside.
NANAIMO AQUATIC AND LEISURE CENTRE This has got to be one of the best leisure centres in North America! Three waterslides, wave pool, beach, lazy river, fish boat with water jets and falls and a 50 metre pool with diving boards. For the adults there is a hot tub, steam room and dry sauna. You're going to love it. 741 3rd Street 755-7575.
The Aquatic Centre is very popular, especially with the school groups. Friday during school hours can be very busy and perhaps a time to be avoided. There is a family changeroom with private shower rooms and changing stalls. Pick up your locker tokens at the reception desk. The pool has a loads of water toys and even life jackets for those that are still learning to swim. Try the green waterslide if you're tall enough: very fast and scary!
SWY-A-LANA PARK SEASIDE PLAYGROUND On the waterfront in Maffeo-Sutton park at the corner of Comox Street and Terminal Avenue. A fenced playground full of swings, ropes, twirly ride, slides and lots of climbing structures. Kids love it. Public washrooms are at the park entrance and food vendors during daylight hours.
DINGHY DOCK FLOATING PUB AND RESTAURANT Imagine taking a wee boat over to a floating restaurant. A perennial favourite. The Protection Island ferry leaves at :10 past the hour at the last dock space in the Boat Basin across from the Port Theatre on Front Street. 8 Pirates Lane, Protection Island, 753-2373.
A kid favourite. There are two parts to the restaurant. An indoor section out of the sun, the sensible choice for those with sunburnable skin. But where your kids want to go is outside on the floating barge where they can fish! There are two fishing holes for the kids complete with fishing rods, bait and a see through viewing area so you watch the little fish nibble at the end of the rod. The sun can be fierce in the afternoon. Hats and sunblock mandatory.
ROMPER ROOM Vancouver Island's premier indoor rock climbing facility. They have 7500 square feet of climbing surface and kids are welcome. Lessons are available and the environment is safe and friendly. 4358B Boban Drive, 751-ROCK (7625).
WATCH SOME SPORTS In the winter follow the action of Nanaimo Clippers at Frank Crane Arena or watch lacrosse with the Nanaimo Timberman. Vancouver Island Raiders football team play from May to August.
CYBER CITY Indoor and outdoor activities including Mini-Golf, Go-Kart's, Laser Tag, Paintball, Arcade - with redemption Counter, A & W Restaurant and Giant Indoor Softplay (our Tube 'n' Tunnel Town). Located at 1815 Bowen, 755-1828.
JUMPING JIMINY'S Nanaimo's biggest indoor playground and cafe. 'KIDS LOVE IT! Featuring over 8,000 square feet dedicated to family enjoyment, a giant 3000 square foot play structure, ping pong & air hockey tables, private party rooms, toddler section, an 80 seat cafe and more. Parents love it too! Enjoy a latte or cappuccino in the parents lounge and viewing area. If you're hungry our cafe also offers soups, panninis and foccacia sandwiches, as well as a few sinfully decadent desserts. #400 – 2980 Island Highway North at Rock City Centre, 729-0999.
We've presented a small cross section of the variety of fun activities for children and parents alike. There are hundreds of other great activities such as the Vancouver Island Exhibition, a local country fair which has been in existence for over 100 years. Nanaimo's wacky character is best identified with our annual Bathtub Race and Silly Boat contest. Held in the 3rd week of July, it's fun for the whole family.
Or come for our outstanding Vancouver Island Childrens Festival. Held each year in May, the festival brings entertainers from around the world to the Port Theatre and other Downtown venues.
You can rest assured that Nanaimo is a safe, kid-friendly community. Our city is small enough to be friendly, safe and personal but large enough to offer many amenties for young and old. See you soon!
