Untitled 1

Nanaimo Harbourfront Walkway - It's hard to imagine a more beautiful place to stroll- parks, shops, floating cafe´s, yachts, beaches and a crab pier. Watch our photo tour or view our Nanaimo Waterfront Walkway YouTube video

. 8 minute drive from the Living Forest next to downtown Nanaimo. Google Maps driving directions to park at Maffeo-Sutton Park at the walkway entrance.

Newcastle Island Provincial Marine Park - is the jewel of Nanaimo Harbour and only a five minute foot passenger ferry ride from Maffeo-Sutton Park on the Nanaimo Harbour Ferry's 'pickle boats' (schedule and pricing). Great beaches, a lake, trails for hiking and biking, an historic pavilion with cafe' and just a great place to spend the day. Take our Newcastle Island photo tour or view our Newcastle Island YouTube video

. Google Maps driving directions to park at Maffeo-Sutton Park by the Nanaimo Harbour Ferry dock.

old growth forest on vancouver island at cathedral grove 800 year old trees

old growth forest on vancouver island at cathedral grove 800 year old trees

Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Park - stroll along easy shady trails among 800 year old growth giant fir trees! Scenic 60 minute drive. Take the photo tour or watch the Cathedral Grove YouTube video

. Google Maps driving directions to Cathedral Grove from the Living Forest.

Little Qualicum Falls - You can never see too many waterfalls! Just a few minutes before Cathedral Grove is Little Qualicum, about a 50 minute drive. Moderately strenuous 30 minute loop trail across two bridges let's you see these amazing waterfalls and canyons- enjoy the picnic shelter above the falls. Take our photo tour or watch the Little Qualicum Falls YouTube video

. Google Maps driving directions to Little Qualicum Falls from the Living Forest.

Englishman River Falls - Another amazing waterfall park, Englishman River's main falls drop nearly 100 feet beneath the bridge over the canyon. A moderately strenuous 30 minute walk through tall trees will let you see a series of falls and pools that are truly breathtaking. Take our photo tour or watch the Englishman River Falls YouTube video

50 minute drive. Google Maps driving directions to Englishman River Falls from the Living Forest.

Neck Point -
Offering a great view of the Winchelsea Islands, Georgia Strait, and the mainland mountain range, Neck Point is one of Nanaimo's best oceanside parks. Beachcombers will be right at home here, with several gravel and rock beaches to explore and plenty to see. The many bays make this a favourite with scuba divers and snorkelers, which Nanaimo is world famous for. In 2002, a rare 'superpod' of over 200 Orcas (killer whales) paraded past the Neck Point's viewing platform, thrilling the lucky park users there that day. Park map. Extensive trails, benches, picnic tables and those oh-so-important port-a-potties and doggie bags. Watch our Neck Point photo tour. Google Maps driving directions to Neck Point from the Living Forest. 24 minute drive.

Linley Valley- Linley Valley is true gem within the city, though less than half of the 400 acres has park status, at present. Miles of trails crisscross the moss covered rocky knolls with oceanviews and deep forest valleys, and anyone looking for relaxing or challenging bike rides or hikes through the forest and hilltops would do well to check it out. Lost Lake and Cottle Lake are also within the valley, as well as several creeks. You won't believe you're still in the city! Google Maps driving directions to Linley Valley from the Living Forest
20 minute drive.

Colliery Dam- This nearby park, as it has numerous entrances and many separate forested trails. They all revolve around the small lake, its dam and various bridges over the chutes of water. Stocked with trout it's a great place to fish from shore (freshwater fishing license required). Park map. 8 minute drive from Living Forest. Google Maps driving directions to Colliery Dam from the Living Forest.

Departure Bay Beach - Experience the incredible Snuneymuxw First Nation welcoming totem. The Departure Bay beach and seawall is a popular place to visit for saltwater swimming, beachcombing, strolling, kayaking -- or maybe just grab a meal or a coffee across the street and enjoy a beautiful sunset- even from your car or RV. The beach is the finish line for the world famous Bathtub Race in July and in December, the annual Polar Bear Swim. Google Maps driving directions to Departure Bay Beach from the Living Forest a 16 minute drive.

Nanaimo DragonBoat Festival 2011 - This incredible festival runs from July 8-10th this year at Maffeo Sutton Park on Nanaimo's beautiful harbour. Teams from all over North America compete in a charitable event to raise funds to beat cancer. Three days of family events on the water! Google Maps driving directions to Maffeo-Sutton Park from the Living Forest. 8 minute drive.

Nanaimo M arine Festival and Bathtub Races 2011 - Home of the world famous Bathtub Race, the finale of the Nanaimo Marine Festival, a three day celebration of events and entertainment on Nanaimo's waterfront. July 21-24th is the festival, with the 24th being race day for 2011 - 11 am start in the Nanaimo Harbour at Maffeo-Sutton Park- finishing at Departure Bay Beach between 12:30 and 1:30 pm. Full list of events and activities at www.bathtubbing.com . Google Maps driving directions to Maffeo-Sutton Park from the Living Forest 8 minute drive (this will show you where it is- parking that day will be hard to find- check the above website for parking and shuttle info).

Lost Lake Park -This serene and forested 15 minute loop trail circles north Nanaimo's water reservoir, Lost Lake. Hard packed gravel trail, located on the north edge of Linley Valley. Google Maps driving directions from the Living Forest. 22 minute drive

Wild Play Elements Park - Tree Go aerial adventure park and Bungy jumping, rapid rappelling, zip lines, and more. Learn the ropes and skills of climbing and then go bungy jumping from their bridge over the Nanaimo River canyon-- it's the ultimate adrenalin rush. View their videos. Google Maps driving directions from the Living Forest. 7 minute drive

Nanaimo Aquatic Centre - If the weather's bad or you just crave the pool, this is one fabulous facility! Wave pool, water park, indoor water slides, sauna, hot tub, steam room, fitness machines, childminding, cafeteria, diving, and oh yeah, a competition/lengths pool- all only a few minutes away. Check out this amazing virtual tour, and get all the schedules and pricing at the Parks and Rec info page for this facility, as well as the other indoor pool and outdoor pool in Nanaimo. Google Maps driving directions from the Living Forest. 10 minute drive

Hemer Park -has a great network of smooth, gentle trails through tall conifers, without a lot of change of elevation. The 45 minute loop is sandwiched between two quiet lakes, one of which is a bird wetland and features a sunny bird viewing platform. Google Maps driving directions from the Living Forest. 13 minute drive

Piper's Lagoon - Situated just south of Neck Point, Piper's Lagoon is a long spit and rocky outcropping that encloses a sandy lagoon. At low tide, the lagoon drains and sandpipers and other seabirds roam the flats looking for a meal. This beautiful city park is popular with good reason- sand beach, rock bluffs and Garry Oaks. Park map. Google Maps driving directions from the Living Forest. 22 minute drive

take the alberni steam train to historic mclean mill and a wine tour

Port Alberni's steam train and steam sawmill - Information about the Alberni Valley Museum, the Alberni Pacific Railway, the McLean Mill National Historic Site, and the Maritime Discovery Centre. Learn about Vancouver Island's past in a fun and entertaining way. Take the steam train from downtown Port Alberni out to a fully functional steam sawmill- McLean Mill. You can even stop for a wine tour on the train ride back. Google Maps driving directions to the Alberni Train station from the Living Forest. 90 minute drive.

BC Forest Discovery Center - A wonderful tribute to old fashioned logging from 1919, a visit to the BC Forest Discovery Center is a great way to spend an afternoon in Duncan.

Mt. Washington Alpine Resort - Located near Courtenay, 1.5 hours north of the Living Forest. Fantastic Skiing and Snowboarding, cross country and snowshoeing in winter- one of the highest annual snowfalls in North America. In the summer the resort caters to world class hiking, downhill mountain biking (you and your bike ride up the chairlift and ride down), or just enjoy lunch and a scenic chairlift ride. From the chairlift, on a clear day you get a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains as well as the ocean! Unbelievable!
Mt. Washington Map page

Helpful Resources:

BC Parks - Resource and listing of all the provincial parks in BC with in depth descriptions and directions to each.

Camping Equipment Rental - Rent a package of everything you need to go tenting! RainForestNorth.com

Car Rentals

BC Ferries - Schedules, condition reports and more from Vancouver Island's most important transportation link.
Washington State Ferries - Ferry service from Anacortes to Sidney, vehicles or passengers.
Sea to Sky Air - We invite you to explore Whistler, Squamish, Pemberton, Vancouver & Victoria and Sea to SKY country by air, sightseeing in comfort and experiencing the excitement of soaring above spectacular coastal terrain. Also offering flight training and pilot license certification.
Nanaimo Harour Ferry - The 'pickle boats' provide foot passenger ferry service to Newcastle Island or harbour tours. New to Nanaimo in 2007, they're fleet of boats have plyed Victoria's harbour for years.
Victoria Clipper - Scenic ferry service from Seattle to Victoria. Passengers only, no vehicles.
Coho Ferry - Passenger and automobile service from Port Angeles to Victoria's inner harbour.
- Protection Connection Ferry - This passenger only ferry runs from downtown Nanaimo to Protection Island (and the Dinghy Dock Pub). No webpage, so call 250-753-8244 for details.
Nanaimo Airport - Air traffic to Vancouver and elsewhere in the region, complete with an on site 18 hole golf course.
Nanaimo Regional Transit System - Bus schedule and map -- closest pickup point is Southgate Plaza beside the Mohawk Gas Station (1/2 km. from Living Forest)
Tofino Bus - Bus service to Tofino from Nanaimo, Victoria, and Vancouver. Accommodates kayaks, bikes, and surfboards.

West Coast Trail Bus - Bus service to the West Coast trail and Juan de Fuca trail from Nanaimo, Victoria, and Port Alberni.
West Coast Air - need to get downtown Nanaimo to Vancouver International Airport or downtown Vancouver?

Weather and Conditions