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North AmericaCanadaBritish Columbia

Departure Bay

British Columbia, Canada · North America

About Departure Bay

Departure Bay sits on the route: 10 minutes from East Wellington, 50km from Cathedral Grove.

Departure Bay is a town located in British Columbia, Canada. With a population of 6,540, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, Departure Bay sits in Canada, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Vancouver time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Departure Bay to your route.

About Departure Bay

Departure Bay is a bay in central Nanaimo, British Columbia, on the east coast of Vancouver Island. The surrounding neighbourhood is also referred to as "Departure Bay" —once a settlement of its own, it was amalgamated into the City of Nanaimo in the 1970s.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Departure Bay

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Departure Bay?

Departure Bay offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Departure Bay?

Plan your road trip to Departure Bay with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Departure Bay as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Departure Bay located?

Departure Bay is located in British Columbia, Canada, North America. The coordinates are 49.2021 latitude, -123.9762 longitude.

What is the population of Departure Bay?

Departure Bay has a population of approximately 6,540 people, making it a town in Canada.

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Quick Information

Population
6,540
Continent
North America
Country
Canada
Region
British Columbia
Timezone
America/Vancouver
Coordinates
49.2021, -123.9762

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Canada

Police
911
Ambulance
911
Fire
911
Driving side
right

CAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Winter tyres mandatory in Quebec December–March.

Full driving guide for Canada

Tags

North AmericaCanadaBritish ColumbiaTown

Worth the detour from Departure Bay

1 notable place within an hour's drive.

natural wonder

Cathedral Grove

An ancient Douglas fir forest on Vancouver Island with trees up to 800 years old and nine feet in diameter, a living cathedral of old growth.

50 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Departure Bay

  • 62 kmLions Gate BridgeVancouver's iconic 1938 suspension bridge spanning the First Narrows from Stanley Park to the North Shore, gateway to the Sea-to-Sky Highway with mountain and harbour views from its green towers.
  • 64 kmCapilano Suspension BridgeA 137 m footbridge swaying 70 m above the Capilano River in North Vancouver, with treetop walkways and a granite cliffwalk: one of BC's most visited attractions since 1889.
  • 74 kmSea-to-Sky HighwayStunning coastal and mountain highway from Vancouver to Whistler
  • 79 kmSea to Sky GondolaGondola beside the Sea-to-Sky Highway near Squamish, rising 885 m above Howe Sound to a summit lodge, suspension bridge and sweeping viewpoints over fjord, forest and the Stawamus Chief.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Departure Bay.

East Wellington

🇨🇦 Canada

4 km awayPop. 1,444

Nanaimo

🇨🇦 Canada

5 km awayPop. 90,504

Wellington

🇨🇦 Canada

5 km awayPop. 3,935

South End

🇨🇦 Canada

6 km awayPop. 2,475

Harewood

🇨🇦 Canada

6 km awayPop. 8,769

Lantzville

🇨🇦 Canada

9 km awayPop. 3,817

Chase River

🇨🇦 Canada

9 km awayPop. 2,900

Gabriola

🇨🇦 Canada

10 km awayPop. 4,500

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence