Top 8 To-Do’s on Your Nanaimo Holiday

Whilst on a yachting holiday in Nanaimo you are sure to want to sample some of the best local sights and activities our beautiful city has to offer.

What we love most about Nanaimo is the diversity of what it has to offer. Relaxing on your yacht is undoubtedly one of the best parts of vacationing with us here at Nanaimo Yacht Charters, but also, we know how important it is to try new things. That is a very important part of taking a holiday. In this top tip to-do list we will walk you through some of the weirdest and wonderful experiences you can have here whilst holidaying. So in no particular order; let’s start with the weird…

Jean’s Cannery

This family business started over 50 years ago and is known for producing tinned pacific seafood goods. Our favourite is the honey-sweetened candied salmon. The Cannery is also renowned for working with companies who have strong sustainable fishing practices, something which is very important in these times. It is a fabulous place to visit to get a sense of heritage. The huge replica of a salmon can in the car park marks for a humorous selfie opportunity! It is the only commercial cannery left on the island and produces over 500,000 pounds of sport fish a year. Visitors can watch the process as well as stock up on products to enjoy on board the yacht later on.

Nanaimo Bar Trail

Now to the wonderful. If you want to let your hair down and see some of the sights at the same time, the bar crawl is for you. The Nanaimo Bar Trail is famed world-wide, with over 30 stops (if your stamina allows), at each of which you can sample some fabulous foods and beverages. Of course during your visit, you can sample one of the famous Nanaimo bars, deep fried if you like, alongside some chips. There are also dark cacao liqueur, coconut rum, and chocolate cocktails and it is during the bar trail you can find out some little nuggets of local knowledge from the regulars propping up the bars. A great social experience, and of course one for those who love a drink or are a bit of a foodie.

Floating Bikes

Chiliboats bike boats are properly weird and wonderful. These sea bikes have two pontoons which make it somewhat resemble a jet ski. But instead of standing, you can sit on a comfortable reclining seat or a traditional bike seat. Imagine a spin class on water and this is what you will get. So much fun. It is almost like walking into a gym and choosing which piece of equipment you want to use – I always go for the comfier sit-down version personally! It is kind of like a one-person pedalo.  It is a once in a lifetime sort of experience to try one of these on the beautiful Nanaimo waters.  

Petroglyphs

Found on the gorgeous Gabriola Island, the petroglyphs are ancient images carved upon the soft sandstone by the ancestors of the First Nations people. They include a number of fascinating depictions such as a sea-wolf, as well as things like killer whales and seals. The island is a mere 20 minutes away from Nanaimo. They are everywhere on the island, and you can see replicas in the Gabriola Museum’s Petroglyph Park too. The museum itself is also well worth a visit with its ever changing range of indoor and outdoor exhibitions which help visitors get to know the area.

Sturgeon viewing

An international Centre for Sturgeon Studies is the hub of sturgeon protection.Vancouver Island University’s International Centre for Sturgeon Studies is the hub of sturgeon protection. These creatures are absolutely fascinating, and have been part of the world’s ecosystem for over 200 million years. That is longer than the dinosaurs, and they are still here… just. Humans have brought this prehistoric fish to the brink of extinction; all varieties; all across the globe. The babies, known as fingerlings, look like baby dragons (great fun for Game of Thrones fans!), and as a threatened species are very worthy of the protection, and of your visit. They are the largest freshwater fish in North America, and they can grow up to 6 meters in length. The centre breeds them for research with the ultimate aim of species protection. There are a number of specimens on display here such as Tyra the 2.5 meter long female who was rescued from a pond in Chilliwack. The white sturgeon is an endangered species, despite being able to live for over 150 years at one time. All funds raised at the Sturgeon Centre go back into research and protection.

The Floating Pub

The Dinghy Dock pub offers visitors the most breath-taking harbour views of any establishment in the Nanaimo area. Moored off of Protection Island, this drinking hole can be reached by foot passenger ferry, or a little paddle over to 8 Pirate Lane (what an epic address!).

It is the only registered floating pub in Nanaimo, and its location provides an unforgettable experience for patrons. Visiting at dusk is the best time, so you can see the sun disappear behind the mountains whilst supping a nice cool beer – or whatever else takes your fancy off the menu. It is a novel experience that is for sure!

Snorkel with Seals

The Georgia Strait is where to be, if snorkelling with seals is what you seek.You swim through a narrow pass between the rocks and find a bunch of the cheeky furry creatures sunbathing and ready to swim with you. Snake Island is another great place to see the seals, and with its honeycomb rock formations, the scenery alone is worth the trip. You won’t have much luck with Harbour Seals as they are quite solitary but there are other varieties which will allow you to get a little closer. They are really smart creatures and inquisitive with it too. Get in with an experienced tour guide and you are in for a snorkel trip you will never forget.
Sea Kayaking

Now to end on an oldy but a goody. Renting a Kayak is a great way to get closer to the water whilst on your yachting holiday and really immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery here in Nanaimo.  Piper’s Lagoon Park is a great place to do just that. There is nothing better to take in the sea air from water level, and also to hopefully spot some of the lovely creatures that call those waters home. A new craze sweeping the area is mid-water meditation. Kayaking out to a serene spot and downing your oars to practice some mindfulness and really become one with nature. A fabulous day out for your holiday here in Nanaimo.

So, there you have it! 8 very different, and very unique things you can try here in Nanaimo whilst on your yachting holiday. From tinned fish, to preserving prehistoric fish. From floating pubs to floating bikes. And from snorkelling with seals to mindfulness kayaking. We have covered a lot, and we hope we have given you some inspiring ideas for your time in the city. We love to hear about all the things you get up to whilst holidaying with us, and so if you have any suggestions of places you have been which may not be well known, please do let us know.

Photo Credit: tourradar.com, dinghydockpub.com, research.viu.ca, tourismnanaimo.com, stjeans.com

Find out more at Nanaimo Yacht Charter and Sailing School

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All About the Gulf Islands, British Columbia

The Gulf Islands are between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. The Gulf Islands are normally split into the Southern and Northern Gulf Islands with the dividing line being between the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and the mouth of the Fraser River on the mainland.

Captain George Vancouver made his first recordings of the Gulf Islands in 1792, although First Nations people were already living there. First Nations people identify themselves by the nation to which they belong. In Canada it is usually aboriginal. In recognition of the original inhabitants, the Gulf Islands region is often referred to as the “Salish Sea”.

Captain Vancouver claimed the islands for the British Crown, and referred to them as being located in a “gulf.” The islands aren’t in a gulf but the name has stuck. As marine traffic between Victoria and the Fraser River area exploded it became clear that a new map of the Strait of Georgia was needed and so in 1858-59, another cartographic expedition, on the HMS Plumper was dispatched and more accurate maps produced. Pioneers of this time had now already started establishing places to live on the islands. American blacks and Portuguese arrived and built farms in the valleys of the north end of Salt Spring. Hawaiians, who had been employed by the Hudson’s Bay Company or living in the San Juan Islands when they became U.S. territory in 1872 also developed homes on South Salt Spring and some of the nearby islands. Soon settlers from other parts of the world heard about the Gulf Islands and sought to make their homes there.

Miners Bay on Mayne Island

By the mid 1850s gold fever had caught the attention of Canada. Miners Bay on Mayne Island became a bustling, lively port and one of the first Crown colonies. Not many years later, Salt Spring Island was engulfed by Australians, British and African Americans who were escaping slavery in the United States. Fruit orchards were developed and were hugely successful and evidence of these orchards can still be found. In 1872 the boundary between the United States and Canada was finally agreed and the Gulf Islands officially became part of Canada and the San Juan Islands part of the United States.

As you would expect, many of the islands, bays, harbors and viewpoints are named after Spanish and English explorers who arrived in the 18th century – Vesuvius Bay, Mayne Island, Plumper Sound etc.

Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park

In recent years the preservation of aboriginal life has become more of interest and in the summer of 2016, male and female welcome poles were brought to the seaside at Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park by members of the Quw’utsun First Nation. There is a beautiful Japanese garden at Dinner Bay Park on Mayne Island and the Heiwa Garden in Peace Park on Salt Spring Island. Both of these gardens have been developed to acknowledge the contribution the Japanese made to the development of the Gulf Islands. More recently, Salt Spring boasts a restored charcoal kiln which was used by the Japanese pioneers.

You’ll be sure to find on every island something of historical interest and find the things to do in Gulf Islands here.

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