Things to Do in Nanaimo, Canada

Nanaimo Things to Do

Nanaimo is a quaint beach town nestled away in British Columbia. With a laid back lifestyle and beautiful amenities, there are all sorts of things to do in Nanaimo while visiting.

Cannon Firing

Who doesn’t like to watch historical cannons fired? These 19th Century cannons are fired daily at noon and are a favorite activity for locals and visitors alike to take in. Cannon operators dress in authentic costumes in order to play the role of soldiers firing the cannons. Just make sure to bring some ear plugs as these cannons are surprisingly loud when fired. Plus, the reverberation off of local buildings bottles the sound in to amplify the loudness.

Bungy Jumping at WildPlay

If you’ve ever wanted to go bungy jumping before, now is your chance at WildPlay. Located on the Nanaimo River, this jump drops you down a total of 15-stories (about 150 feet). Surrounded by forestry, the gorge is a beautiful location to take in this activity. Of course, it isn’t for everyone and there are some height and weight requirements, so if you’re interested, make sure to ask about thse kind of specifics.

Walk the Waterfront

This is a rather peaceful walk. Outside of the dead of winter, this is a truly relaxing walk. The smell of the water is refreshing and even a nip of wind can perk up the senses. On the waterfront you can book private boat tours. There are even some pontoon airplanes available for water landings. If you’re looking for fun out on the water, the waterfront is the place to start.

If you keep walking you’ll cone to the end of the harbor. This leads to a former lighthouse that now has some tourist items you can purchase and even a small restaurant. While the lighthouse is no longer necessary, just being in such a building is fun and you can learn about how it operated.

Bastion

The former Hudson Bay Company, a major fur trading company back when the English first started to colonize and make their way into North America, set up a small trading outpost in what is now Nanaimo. The cannons were set up here and the Bastion also has several old lookout posts you can explore.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Nanaimo.