Nanaimo

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History

The city's name is derived from the Coast Salish people who had several villages in the area. They called themselves the "Snuneymuxw" which translates as "a great and mighty people." While the small commuity was first called Colvile Town, it was soon changed to Nanaimo, an adaptation of Snuneymuxw.

In the mid 1800s, the Hudson's Bay Company, better known for furs than mining, began to mine the rich coal deposits near the harbour. The Company needed skilled workers to extract the coal and they placed advertisements in British newspapers in the spring of 1854. A group of 24 miners and their families from the "Black Country" responded. In June 1854, they left London on the HBC's sailing ship Princess Royal. They finally arrived in Nanaimo on November 27, 1854 after a long journey around Cape Horn to Vancouver Island.

While Nanaimo always had a small logging and sawmill industry, it became more important as the coal mines closed. Development of a local large-scale forest industry began in the early 1940s and many men were employed in the various aspects of the logging industry.

Over the past 25 years, the city's economy has diversified from that of a resource based to community to being a regional service centre. The city is a centre for fisheries research, an important shellfish production centre and is home to a variety of technology-based industries.

Location

Nanaimo is on the eastern side of Vancouver Island, just 114 kilometres from Victoria. You can arrive by car from Victoria or from Comox Airport, or you can take the ferry from Vancouver. You can also arrive by plane from Vancouver or from Seattle. Swimming from Vancouver to Nanaimo is theoretically possible, but not recommended.

Places to See

• The Waterfront District

Nanaimo's Harbourfront Walkway is meant to be strolled. Boutiques and souvenir stores are nestled between ice cream shops and outdoor cafes. On weekends in summer, artists sell their pieces in the park.

From mid-April through early October, the Farmer's Market runs every Friday near the Bastion. Here, you'll find fresh local produce and handmade gifts.

• The Arts District

Just a block up from the harbour is the Arts District, whose galleries and shops cluster around Commercial, Church, and Bastion streets. This is the best place to browse Native carvings and jewelry or seascape paintings. Grab a coffee or lunch, then look for funky clothing, rare books and music, fun housewares, specialty teas, and gardening gifts.

• Old City Quarter

Within walking distance of the Waterfront and Arts District is the well-loved Old City Quarter. Locals love it so much, many have moved to this magical district around Wesley and Fitzwilliam streets.

The Old City Quarter is home to specialty food shops, coffee and ice cream shops, arts galleries, day spas, and clothing and gift boutiques galore. Some of Nanaimo's top-rated restaurants and cafes line Wesley Street.

• Indoor and Outdoor Centres

If mall shopping is more your thing, you'll be happy to hear Nanaimo is home to Vancouver Island's largest shopping centre. But it's not the only one. Several outdoor malls and the four major indoor shopping centres are easy to get to. These, along with most other retail outlets, sit along the old Island Highway 19A and Bowen Road.

Things to Do

• Go fishing!

Vancouver Island's east coast is home to some of the best fishing in the world. Enjoy fishing for salmon, cod, or red snapper year round, or drop a trap for crab and shrimp. The central Vancouver Island region is also well known for excellent fresh water fishing. Long Lake in north Nanaimo and the Nanaimo River are two very popular freshwater spots.

• Go diving!

Some of the best scuba diving in North America can be found along the Nanaimo coastline. In these waters, seals take curious glances at divers, wolf eels come out of their dens to play, and sunken ships teem with life.

• Explore Nanaimo's parks!

Hit the trails in Nanaimo's 200+ parks or the Trans-Canada Trail. Watch several bird species at Buttertubs Marsh and sea lions offshore along the Cable Bay Trail. You'll even see loads of wildlife on Nanaimo's lush golf courses and green spaces.

Head to Westwood Lake for jogging paths circling the lake and mountain biking trails traversing the ridges above it. A favorite place for swimming and bungee jumping is the cool, clear Nanaimo River. Rock climbers often scale sections of the river's tall rocky banks, or scramble up the natural amphitheatre at Piper's Lagoon. And, for waterskiing and wakeboarding, Brannen Lake is the local hot spot.

Events

• Nanaimo Marine Festival & World Championship Bathtub Race

Held each year near the end of July, this festival features live entertainment on Tim Horton's Marine Festival Entertainment Stage, Visting Naval Ship open houses, the Sail Past Wheels Fun Parade, World Championship Waiters Races, the Nanaimo Hornets Bavarian Gardens, a Food Fair, a Kiddies Karnaval, a Farmers Market, a Quality Foods Festival of Light and Music fireworks display (Vancouver Island's largest!), a New VI Land Tubbers Race, and the 40th Annual Great International World Championship Bathtub Race! 

Yes, that's right. Bathtub racing! Modified bathtub boats race a 58-kilometre course in this annual competition.  

Nearby Communities

Contact Information

Tourism Nanaimo
2290 Bowen Road
Nanaimo, BC V9T 3K7
Toll Free: 1-800-663-7337
Tel: 1-250-756-0106
Fax: 1-250-756-0075
Email: info@tourismnanaimo.com
Website: www.tourismnanaimo.com