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

฿5,555
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

฿5,555
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Nanaimo Whale Watching in a Semi-Covered Boat
From Nanaimo: Strait of Georgia Seaplane Experience

Nanaimo: Strait of Georgia Seaplane Tour with a stop at Sechelt

฿6,850
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Nanaimo: Strait of Georgia Seaplane Tour with a stop at Sechelt
See all activities in Nanaimo

Top hotels in Departure Bay

Inn On Long Lake

Inn On Long Lake

2 out of 5
4700 North Island Hwy Nanaimo BC
The price is ฿4,581 per night from 14 Oct to 15 Oct
฿4,581
฿5,314 total
14 Oct - 15 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Nanaimo. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a private beach. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,111 reviews)
"The inn is very clean and comfortable clean rooms."

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2026

Inn On Long Lake
Coast Bastion Hotel

Coast Bastion Hotel

3.5 out of 5
11 Bastion Street Nanaimo BC
The price is ฿4,174 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
฿4,174
฿4,842 total
27 Sept - 28 Sept
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
THE Beach Club Resort

THE Beach Club Resort

3.5 out of 5
181 Beachside Drive Parksville BC
The price is ฿4,495 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
฿4,495
฿5,719 total
12 Oct - 13 Oct
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 ...
THE Beach Club Resort
Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo

Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo

2 out of 5
96 Terminal Avenue North Nanaimo BC
The price is ฿3,226 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
฿3,226
฿3,742 total
20 Sept - 21 Sept
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 ...
8.2/10 Very good! (1,469 reviews)
"Breakfast includ d but no room so had to take it back to our room. Limited selection. Otherwise very nice hotel"

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2026

Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo
Courtyard By Marriott Nanaimo

Courtyard By Marriott Nanaimo

3 out of 5
100 Gordon Street Nanaimo BC
The price is ฿3,793 per night from 27 Sept to 28 Sept
฿3,793
฿4,400 total
27 Sept - 28 Sept
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,372 reviews)
"We stayed there for two nights, but to our surprise, none of our three rooms were cleaned after the first night. When we called the front desk, they only sent us some clean towels. We were told that this was normal and that rooms are not cleaned during a two-night stay. This was very disappointing ..."

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2026

Courtyard By Marriott Nanaimo
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oyster Bay

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oyster Bay

2.5 out of 5
12570 Trans Canada Highway Ladysmith BC
The price is ฿5,017 per night from 4 Oct to 5 Oct
฿5,017
฿5,770 total
4 Oct - 5 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in North Oyster. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oyster Bay
See all 504 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 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.

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.

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