2017 SunCruiser West Coast

ON THE EAST COAST OF VANCOUVER IS-
LAND YOU’LL FIND AN OASIS FOR PLEASURE
boating, a protected harbour, and a marina
known for service, conveniently located
adjacent to city amenities and abundant
central island activities. Boaters return, as
they have for so many generations.
Nanaimo has character. Built on the
backs of the coal mining industry in the
mid 1800’s and later giving way to a vibrant
forestry industry, Nanaimo has developed
into a transportation gateway for Central
Vancouver Island. Her harbour boasts a
variety of transportation options on the
water and in the air, for recreation and for
the shipment of cargo connecting to global
destinations. Some call the “Harbour City”
a working harbour, easy to appreciate from
the security of a shore-side dock or from a
favoured sanctuary “on the hook” between
famous Newcastle Island and Protection
Island – named because of its offering as a
boating refuge.
Once you’ve made your reservation and
arrived, there are no shortage of activities to
fill your days and compliment your agenda
of stress free island endeavours. The Boat
Basin is adjacent to downtown Nanaimo,
which is full of things to see and do including
dining, shopping, entertainment or
nightlife. Here are a few suggestions.
Walking Tours – Shake out your sea-legs
whether you’re visiting for the afternoon or
staying for a few days, the downtown has
numerous parks, walkways and shopping
districts that are easily accessible by foot or
by bicycle.
Check out the funky shops on the
China Steps, or enjoy a delicious meal in
one of the fine restaurants on Commercial
Street, voted the “Greatest Street in Canada”
by the Canadian Institute of Planners.
If you’re craving time to stretch your legs
and commune with nature, enjoy a leisurely
stroll along the waterfront and pick up
a special souvenir. Or spend an afternoon
strolling through the Old City Quarter,
just a quick 10 minute walk over the Bastion
Street Bridge.
Local explorers find that downtown Nanaimo
enjoys easy access to the Art Gallery,
the Nanaimo District Museum - which
features First Nations culture or Cemetery
Tours, the Nanaimo Bar Trail and the island’s
largest shopping districts. Buskers
and street musicians entertain in all central
areas. Energetic guests can easily walk the
5 kms of picturesque Harbourview walkway
that leads to the Bastion, Maffeo Sutton
Park where ferries or kayaks take visitors
to Newcastle Island Provincial Park,
Protection Island and the Dinghy Dock
Pub, or Gabriola Island and the Petroglyphs.
Bikes and scooters are available.
For those that want to explore further afield,
the most spectacular of all would be to take
a floatplane tour and truly soak in the majestic
scenery from a higher point of view!
Boaters quickly learn that Nanaimo
and region offer infinite possibilities as a
central island base camp. Within 20-30
minutes by rental car to the south, Wildplay
Elements Park’s Monkido course
takes participants into the tree tops and
challenges ones mental and physical
strength via zip-lines, King swings, and
walking on wires.
Travellers will want to step into the
Morden Colliery, an historic stop, that will
take guests back a century when this area
was a thriving coal-producing mine. Ladysmith
is a quaint and friendly strolling
town on the highway just to the south and
the Cedar/Yellow Point area has a variety
of artists working from their home-based
studios, which are open for tours. You can
find all the stops listed in the Cedar Yellowpoint
Artisan Trail.
Have you ever wanted to go spelunking?
Situated about 45 minutes north of
Nanaimo, Horne Lake Caves offers family
friendly or extreme rappelling guided tours
into crystal filled caverns on an hourly basis
in the summer. Coombs market, where
goats graze on the roof, is an absolute favourite
stop for artisan shops, ice cream
and wholesome west coast food. Near
Coombs, North Island Wildlife Recovery
Centre offers a natural outdoor setting
where you can visit eagles, owls, falcons,
hawks and black bear in various stages of
recovery.
Cathedral Grove showcases 800-yearold
giant Douglas Fir trees and an awe-inspiring
walk through the old growth forests.
The foodies in the group will want
to join a brewery or wine tasting tour and
sample appies at the local pubs and vineyards.
There are endless adventures and
discoveries that boaters enjoy when you
participate in a tradition.
Building on a BC Boating Tradition…..
Nanaimo, The Harbour City.
Marina Info, Events & Reservations –
marina.npa.ca
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