The Top 20 Attractions around Nanaimo
There are plenty of places to see and visit around Nanaimo. Whether you love hiking or cycling, Nanaimo is a region where 20
hidden gems are waiting to be explored and visited. Check the top places to visit in the region and plan your next adventure today.
hidden gems are waiting to be explored and visited. Check the top places to visit in the region and plan your next adventure today.
Last updated: November 13, 2025
Ammonite Falls
Highlight • Waterfall
Great in the late morning light. Wonderful place to come to and take in the surroundings.
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Neck Point
Highlight • Beach
The tombolo, or gravel bar, that connects the island off Neck Point to Neck Point Park can only be walked on during low tide. The island is explorable by staircases …
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Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Marine) Provincial Park
Highlight • Natural
Every hour from Nanaimo a boat drives to the protected island. On very beautiful paths you can circle the island, take breaks on the beaches - or hike across the …
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Westwood Lake Beach
Highlight • Beach
This lake and park is a hidden gem in Nanaimo. There is a nice beach for swimming and sunbathing, picnic tables and playground and jetty.
In summer the lake is very popular and the beach is often full.
In summer the lake is very popular and the beach is often full.
Translated by Google •
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Heart Lake
Highlight • Lake
Heart Lake is a secluded lake nestled in a surrounding forest setting. There's a large rock outcrop along the banks that makes for a great spot to rest and take in the views.
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Crystal Falls
Highlight • Waterfall
Crystal Falls is a beautiful waterfall that flows out of Holland Creek. Winter is the best time to catch the falls at peak flow.
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Haslam Suspension Bridge
Highlight • Bridge
A sturdy steel suspension bridge enclosed with chain-link fencing, stretching high above Haslam Creek. Its grated walkway offers clear views down to the forested canyon below, making it one of …
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Coastal Nature Trail with Rock Formations
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
During the ebb tide a part of the path can also be walked on the beach, here you can find great rock formations.
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Colliery Dam Park Trails
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Colliery Dam Park has a network of short, well-maintained trails in Nanaimo’s beautiful urban forest. This section is part of the main loop that connects both reservoirs with bridges, waterfalls, …
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Protection Island
Highlight • Settlement
Just offshore from downtown Nanaimo, Protection Island is a small, walkable community known for its quiet trails, beaches, and harbour views. The island is accessible by passenger ferry and features …
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Christie Falls
Highlight • Waterfall
Christie Falls is best visited when snowmelt is high or after some rain, as the falls flow best then. There are a few falls and small cave-like areas in the thick forests surrounding the main Christie Falls.
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Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions:
Rocky MountainsCoast MountainsArea A (Kicking Horse/Kinbasket Lake)Area C (Pemberton Valley/Mount Currie/D'Arcy)Area D (Elaho/Garibaldi)Alberni-ClayoquotVancouverBurnabyElectoral Area AVancouver IslandArea G (Forster Creek/Mount Assiniboine)RichmondVictoriaSaanichStanley Park National Historic SiteArea H (Robson Valley/Canoe)Monashee MountainsMetro Vancouver Regional ParksYoho National ParkVictoria Harbour Migratory Bird SanctuaryArea C (Arrowsmith-Benson)Pacific Rim National Park Reserve - Long Beach UnitCowichan Valley FCariboo MountainsEast Central Okanagan Electoral AreaArea A (Wells Gray Country)Mount Robson Provincial ParkArea B (Shawnigan Lake)Sunshine Coast Regional DistrictArea B (Shelter Bay/Mica Creek)Selkirk MountainsGaribaldi Provincial ParkWells Gray Provincial ParkSurreyJuan De Fuca Provincial ParkKootenay National ParkDeltaKootenay Boundary EMyra-Bellevue Provincial ParkArea C (Puntledge/Black Creek)Central SaanichPitt MeadowsNorth CowichanMaple RidgeLangleyArea F (Trout Creek Valley)Area E (Naramata/Greyback)Area F (McConnell Creek/Hatzic Prairie)Okanagan-Similkameen DArea P (Rivers and the Peaks)Area B (Discovery Islands/Mainland Inlets)Area B (South Fraser Canyon/Sunshine Valley)Area B (Cayoosh/Pavilion)Area H (Canim Lake/Forest Grove)Area C (Sasquatch Country)Strathcona Provincial ParkMount Assiniboine Provincial ParkArea D (Oyster Bay/Buttle Lake)Area E (Chilliwack River Valley)Area A (Kyuquot/Nootka/Sayward)Area J (Copper Desert Country)Area H (Lighthouse Country)Area F (Columbia Lake/Windermere Lake)E.C. Manning Provincial ParkFraser Valley DCapital GCentral Okanagan JArea H (Manning Park/Tulameen/Siwash)Area F (Alberni Highway)Area A (Upper Flathead/Elk Valley)Purcell MountainsLower Seymour Conservation ReserveArea L (Grasslands)Alice Lake Provincial ParkFraser River Delta -- RamsarArea O (Lower North Thompson)AbbotsfordStikine RegionArea C (Inkaneep/Willowbrook)Area A (Osoyoos Lake)Area A (Malaspina/Toba)Area E (Balfour/Cottonwood Lake)Area A (Baynes Sound)North SaanichArea C (Lois Lake/Saltery Bay)Area D (Trinity/West Creighton)North Okanagan BArea B (Paradise Valley)Nairn Falls Provincial ParkArea D (Kiskatinaw Valley)Cowichan Valley GMount Revelstoke National ParkArea J (Lower Arrow/Columbia)Area G (Salmo Valley)Area I (Youbou / Meade Creek)Joffre Lakes Provincial ParkArea B (Lower Columbia/Old Glory)Area G (Upper Similkameen/Hedley)Elk Falls Provincial ParkPacific Spirit Regional ParkBurnaby Mountain Conservation AreaArea A (Upper Bridge River Valley)Brandywine Falls Provincial ParkCowichan River Provincial ParkOkanagan LakeCypress Provincial ParkComox Valley B (Lazo North)Area E (Eagle River Valley)Stawamus Chief Provincial ParkNanaimo GArea B (Cawston/Lower Similkameen)Whistler Interpretive ForestArea A (Wynndel/Crawford Bay/Riondel)Area F (Willow River/Upper Fraser)Sx̱Ótsaqel / Chilliwack Lake Provincial ParkTəmtəmíxʷtən/Belcarra Regional ParkArea E (Moberly Lake/Sukunka Valley)Nanaimo EArea N (Beautiful Nicola Valley - South)Area B (Lake Koocanusa)Goldstream Provincial ParkPacific Rim National Park Reserve - West Coast Trail UnitCoquihalla Summit Recreation AreaPitt LakeArea D (Nimpkish Valley/Cormorant Island)Malaspina Provincial ParkArea C (Chilako River/Nechako)Area C (Blind Bay/Sorrento)Area I (Blue Sky Country)Capilano Watershed
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