Departure Bay Travel Guide

Nanaimo

A calm lake with boats, a forested shoreline, and distant mountains.
Two eagles perched on a snow-covered tree branch overlooking a wintery landscape with buildings and a river.
A waterfront with a sandy beach, large logs, and houses in the background.
A calm lake with a dock, surrounded by dense forest and mountains in the background.
A calm sea with a large cruise ship in the distance, surrounded by forested islands.

Stay near popular Departure Bay attractions

Departure Bay Beach

8.6/10 (329 reviews)
Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Departure Bay Beach during your travels in Nanaimo?
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Things to do

Our open boats comfortably seat 12 passengers and have a washroom onboard!

Whale Watching Nanaimo Open Boat Tour

฿5,902
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Whale Watching Nanaimo Open Boat Tour
Our new semi-covered vessel has warm seating indoors and a viewing platform at the stern.

Nanaimo Whale Watching in a Semi-Covered Boat

฿5,902
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Nanaimo Whale Watching in a Semi-Covered Boat
Nanaimo Private Whale Watching

Nanaimo Private Whale Watching

฿56,660
per traveller
Nanaimo Private Whale Watching
See all activities in Nanaimo

Top hotels in Departure Bay

THE Beach Club Resort

THE Beach Club Resort

3.5 out of 5
181 Beachside Drive Parksville BC
The price is ฿4,610 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
฿4,610
฿5,856 total
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Parksville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,473 reviews)
"Great spot right on the ocean. Walking trail in front and amazing sun rise."

Reviewed on 25 Oct 2026

THE Beach Club Resort
Coast Bastion Hotel

Coast Bastion Hotel

3.5 out of 5
11 Bastion Street Nanaimo BC
The price is ฿4,171 per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
฿4,171
฿4,839 total
25 Nov - 26 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Nanaimo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
Coast Bastion Hotel
Courtyard By Marriott Nanaimo

Courtyard By Marriott Nanaimo

3 out of 5
100 Gordon Street Nanaimo BC
The price is ฿3,667 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
฿3,667
฿4,254 total
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Nanaimo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
Courtyard By Marriott Nanaimo
Hotel Feng, BW Signature Collection

Hotel Feng, BW Signature Collection

2 out of 5
424 West Island Highway Parksville BC
The price is ฿3,279 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
฿3,279
฿3,771 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Parksville. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (987 reviews)
"Rooms are clean as was the pool and hot tub. Property is definitely aging. Staff is great."

Reviewed on 26 Oct 2026

Hotel Feng, BW Signature Collection
Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort

3.5 out of 5
1155 Resort Drive Parksville BC
The price is ฿5,745 per night from 29 Oct to 30 Oct
฿5,745
฿6,607 total
29 Oct - 30 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in Parksville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Parksville Beach and Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"A beautiful property to stay in. The Jedediah suite was just enough space for us and the wall bed delighted my daughter."

Reviewed on 23 Oct 2026

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort
Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo

Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo

2 out of 5
96 Terminal Avenue North Nanaimo BC
The price is ฿2,526 per night from 27 Oct to 28 Oct
฿2,526
฿2,930 total
27 Oct - 28 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Nanaimo. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo
See all 508 properties in Departure Bay
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Where to stay in Departure Bay

Find the best Departure Bay areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A marina with boats at sunset, mountains in the background, and a forested shoreline.

Downtown Nanaimo

If you're spending some time in Downtown Nanaimo, Bastion and Nanaimo Museum are top sights worth seeing.

A marina with various boats, including sailboats and yachts, docked along the waterfront.

Central Nanaimo

If you're spending some time in Central Nanaimo, Maffeo Sutton Park and Stones Marina are top sights worth seeing.

Stephenson Point

While Stephenson Point may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Departure Bay Beach and Departure Bay Ferry Terminal.

Departure Bay Travel Guide