Want to do something a bit different this summer? Look no further than Nanaimo, where unique activities and quirky events await!
Whether you’re a local resident, a regular visitor, or planning to check out Nanaimo for the first time, prepare to discover the unexpected and experience the unconventional this summer.
Exclusive Nautical Events
Nanaimo is a mecca for boating enthusiasts, but you won’t just find ordinary watercrafts here.
- Witness creative, colourful and often comedic vessels take to the water for the Silly Boat Regatta on July 21, when local businesses build and race homemade rafts to raise funds for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre.
- Then watch in awe as the world’s fastest bathtub racers skim across the waves in the iconic World Championship Bathtub Race on July 26-28th. This spectacle has to be seen to be believed!
Camp on an Historic Island
Spend the night under the trees on an island historically used for physical and spiritual healing by the Snuneymuxw people. Saysutshun’s walk-in campsites are quiet and secluded with ocean views to wake up to. Spend a night or two and take the chance to explore the multiple beaches and 22km of gentle trails. Kayak and bicycle rentals are available on-site.
Enjoy dinner right on the water
There’s nothing like a cool drink and a delicious meal with an ocean view. In Nanaimo, go one better and dine right on the water at one of 3 floating restaurants!
The Dinghy Dock Pub at Protection Island is Canada’s only floating pub. Arrive via the passenger ferry, personal craft or paddle power then enjoy a drink on the deck looking back to downtown Nanaimo.
Penny’s Palapa and Troller’s are both open seasonally for lunch and dinner just off the dockside.
Find a Fairy Village
Younger visitors will be amazed to find communities of fairies and gnomes living right here in Nanaimo! The whole family can enjoy a gentle walk while the little ones hunt for the tiny doors hidden amongst the trees at Neck Point Park and Morrell Nature Sanctuary.