Nanaimo Airport YCD is Vancouver Island’s most centrally located airport based on current census population data. YCD works to provide a safe, efficient, and financially viable airport that offers excellent value and service to all users, and in partnership with others, contributes significantly to the well-being of the community. YCD is located just 9km north of Ladysmith and 14km south of Nanaimo and is serviced by two carriers, Air Canada and West Jet. This modern airport offers non-stop flights to Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton, plus Toronto seasonally. Airport shuttles and taxis connect the city with the airport and rental car kiosks are conveniently located at YCD.

Nanaimo Art Gallery is a public art gallery located Downtown Nanaimo. The Gallery offers a rotating schedule of exhibitions. Admission to Nanaimo Art Gallery is by donation. Locals and visitors can participate in tours, workshops, programs, camps and many more programs to learn and get creative! There is also a Gallery Store offering locally made items for purchase.

Melange Restaurant chose its name to represent them as they are a mix of different backgrounds and techniques all coming together to try and achieve the same goal. Above anything, they want to make and serve great-tasting food while showcasing and supporting local farmers, brewers, producers, suppliers, bakers, and gelato makers. Their ambitions are to be a part of a local movement to curb the trend of chain restaurants, giant food producers, and suppliers. One of the key tenants is trying to keep money in our local economy, which will allow local businesses to thrive in a challenging global market. This comes with great difficulty because the cost of using local ingredients and making everything from scratch is much higher than purchasing items that are pre-made. However, the quality of freshly grown ingredients and small-batch production can’t be matched. All in all, their goal is to have fun serving healthy food in a positive environment.

Nanaimo Blues Festival Keeping the Blues Alive! Thursday Aug. 10 – Sunday Aug. 13, 2023 Maffeo Sutton Park, 100 Comox Road, Nanaimo, BC Tickets at https://nanaimoblues.tickit.ca Downchild Blues Band Thornetta Davis Sue Foley Lady A – Blues Diva Powder Blues Band Anthony Geraci and the Boston Blues All-Stars Blue Moon Marquee Rick Estrin The Nighcats Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne …and more!

Discover Nanaimos Charming Heritage Shopping District. Welcome to the OCQ. This eclectic neighbourhood boasts a vibrant community of independent businesses from specialty boutiques to professional services to top-notch eateries. Originally the economic centre of the city, the area is a charming mix of revitalized heritage buildings and thoughtful new development. The charm and character of heritage architecture, walkable streets and unexpected artfulness provides the perfect backdrop for a unique shopping and dining experience.

Nanaimo is the perfect starting place for your Vancouver Island getaway — with biking, kayaking, whale watching, shopping, ziplining and more. The moment you take the bikes off the roof rack, get onto the water, take that first sip of wine, or open the door to your hotel room: now you’re really on vacation.

Island Römer Adventures offers exceptional guided kayak tours in the Nanaimo area and the Discovery Islands on the Sunshine Coast including kayak instruction courses. Sea kayaking is a great way to explore the outdoors. You are close to smaller and larger wildlife and you experience the beauty and grandness of the coastline from a fascinating different angle. Sea kayaking is for everybody; young and old, beginner and more experienced paddler. Enjoy the beauty and wildness of the Salish Sea from your kayak and glide along amazing rock formations, trees and wildlife. Tap into your adventurous spirit and book a remarkable sea kayak experience for half a day, a full day or multi-days and let yourself be surprised.

Built, owned, and operated by the Sirri Family, their entire team is here to offer you a welcoming experience on Vancouver Island. They are just minutes from BC Ferries and the Nanaimo Airport. The Grand is also minutes away from Nanaimo’s downtown harbour centre where seaplane service travels to Victoria, BC’s capital, and Vancouver. The Grand Hotel is central to all major transportation services in the city.

Cowichan is located in Canada’s only maritime Mediterranean climatic zone and is home to the warmest year–round temperatures in the country. For decades now, Cowichan has been producing amazing artisanal food and drink from the region’s burgeoning farms, wineries, cideries, and distilleries. Yet, the food and drink are just the tips of the iceberg! From concerts and festivals to outdoor fun, like biking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and more, Cowichan features a long list of things to do all year round. But what really makes this warm land live up to its name is the chill, unhurried pace, and the many quiet, unspoiled spots to enjoy it in.