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North AmericaCanadaBritish Columbia

Nanaimo

British Columbia, Canada · North America

About Nanaimo

Nanaimo sits on the route: 10 minutes from Chase River, 54km from Cathedral Grove.

Nanaimo is a town located in British Columbia, Canada. With a population of 90,504, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, Nanaimo 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 Nanaimo to your route.

About Nanaimo

Nanaimo ( nə-NY-moh) is a city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. The city lies on the western shores of the eponymous Nanaimo Harbour, for which it has become known as the "Harbour City". The city is also called the "Hub City", which is attributed to its original layout design with

Read more streets radiating from the shoreline like the spokes of a wagon wheel, and to its relatively central location on Vancouver Island. Nanaimo is the headquarters of the Regional District of Nanaimo. Nanaimo is served by the Island Highway that runs along the east coast of Vancouver Island, the BC Ferries system, and the city's regional airport. It is also on the dormant Island Rail Corridor.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Nanaimo

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Nanaimo?

Nanaimo 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 Nanaimo?

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

Where is Nanaimo located?

Nanaimo is located in British Columbia, Canada, North America. The coordinates are 49.1664 latitude, -123.9400 longitude.

What is the population of Nanaimo?

Nanaimo has a population of approximately 90,504 people, making it a town in Canada.

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Quick Information

Population
90,504
Continent
North America
Country
Canada
Region
British Columbia
Timezone
America/Vancouver
Coordinates
49.1664, -123.9400

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 Nanaimo

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.

54 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Nanaimo

  • 60 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.
  • 63 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.
  • 75 kmSea-to-Sky HighwayStunning coastal and mountain highway from Vancouver to Whistler

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Nanaimo.

South End

🇨🇦 Canada

2 km awayPop. 2,475

Harewood

🇨🇦 Canada

2 km awayPop. 8,769

Chase River

🇨🇦 Canada

4 km awayPop. 2,900

Departure Bay

🇨🇦 Canada

5 km awayPop. 6,540

East Wellington

🇨🇦 Canada

6 km awayPop. 1,444

Gabriola

🇨🇦 Canada

7 km awayPop. 4,500

Cedar

🇨🇦 Canada

8 km awayPop. 2,836

Wellington

🇨🇦 Canada

9 km awayPop. 3,935

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