British Columbia Canada Travel Guide	Cycle BC Tours
	: Vancouver Island : Victoria BC : Gulf Islands : Sunshine Coast : : Whistler BC : Okanagan Valley : Thompson Shuswap : Vancouver Canada

Nanaimo on central Vancouver Island in British Columbia is a community with a heavy marine influence. Nanaimo has many things to do in the area. The shorelines are filled with marinas so there is charter tours, scuba diving, fishing, kayaking and wildlife watching tours. On land Nanaimo enjoys activities like the golf courses, hiking and caving. The Horne Lakes Provincial Park is a cavers dream with many caves to explore on a tour or self guided. A visit to Nanaimo is not complete without taking advantage of a shopping trip in any of the hundreds of stores and galleries in the city. Refer to Parks and Trails List and/or the Eco-Tourism Tour and Guides Business Listings. Shopping: Nanaimo has the largest shopping mall on Vancouver Island complimented by many other large shopping malls decorated among the many unique boutiques, strip malls, bistros and kiosks. You might wonder... what this all means to you shoppers out there? Well it means... wear good shoes and good luck seeing it all. Port Theatre: Nanaimo has a large arts and cultural following producing quality plays and performing arts. This charming 800 seat theatre draws quality local, national, and international talent to perform. The Port Theatre along with the Arts Centre and Art Gallery blend in nicely with the downtown waterfront. Downtown Nanaimo: The oldest remaining Hudson Bay fort in North America, cannons going off at noon in Pioneer Plaza, architecturally charming historic buildings, marinas and floating piers, seagulls in the distance and boats coming and going. The 'Harbour City' keeps it's marine feel and historic past intact. Protection Island Ferry: 10 minute passenger-only Ferry Ride to Protection Island. The home of 'Sally' the seal and the floating Dingy Dock Restaurant. Take a short stroll around the Island and enjoy the quiet little bays and rocky beaches. Views of Nanamo Harbour, sail boats, and NewCastle Island is right next door. Nanaimo Harbourfront Walkway: Right in the hub of the 'Harbour City' is a 4.4 km ocean side walk starting from Departure Bay, strolling by marinas following the yachts and sailboats to Swy-A-Lana Lagoon and Maffeo-Sutton Park. Finishing up your ocean stroll with harbour front piers, marinas, patio cafe's and cultural boutiques. Scuba Diving: Wreck divers love the coastal waters off of Snake Island, located east of Nanaimo's harbour, because of the sunken 366' naval destroyer HMCS Saskatchewan and the 441' 'Victory' HMCS Cape Brenton. Creating an internationally recognized, expanding ecosystem and hypnotic marine environment. New Castle Island Ferry: A provincial park with no vehicles, just trails. Yup, pure wall to wall nature and it is only a 15 minute ferry ride. Dirt trails take you in and about forest trees and around the many beaches and bays around the Island. Ocean views, fresh clean west coast air and no cars... just soaring eagles! Ocean Kayaking: The bays of the neighboring Islands of Protection and Newcastle make for good kayaking and scenery. Pack a camera, and some energy and paddle off to explore the many coves and inlets of the area. Parkway Trail: 20 km trail in between the lower banks of Mount Benson's tree lines and the newly constructed Parkway Hwy over looking the city of Nanaimo. Strap on your running shoes, roller blades, hop on a bike, pull on a walkman, or grab the shades and go for a walk. Mountain and city views galore. Scenic Drives: Departure Bay-Hammond Bay Rd ocean views, Jinglepot Loop Drive pass farmers fields and trees, Northwest Bay-Dolphin Drive scenic loop in Nanoose Bay, and the Yellow Point Rd-Cedar Rd. loop just south of Nanaimo. A vast assortment of scenery, nature parks, and areas to pull over and take in the views.