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
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Top hotels in Departure Bay

Coast Bastion Hotel

Coast Bastion Hotel

3.5 out of 5
11 Bastion Street Nanaimo BC
The price is ฿3,755 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
฿3,755
฿4,356 total
22 Nov - 23 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
THE Beach Club Resort

THE Beach Club Resort

3.5 out of 5
181 Beachside Drive Parksville BC
The price is ฿4,569 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
฿4,569
฿5,804 total
11 Nov - 12 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 ...
THE Beach Club Resort
Courtyard By Marriott Nanaimo

Courtyard By Marriott Nanaimo

3 out of 5
100 Gordon Street Nanaimo BC
The price is ฿3,635 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
฿3,635
฿4,216 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 ฿3,250 per night from 29 Oct to 30 Oct
฿3,250
฿3,737 total
29 Oct - 30 Oct
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 ...
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 ฿6,185 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
฿6,185
฿7,112 total
25 Oct - 26 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 ...
Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort
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 ฿4,495 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
฿4,495
฿5,170 total
25 Oct - 26 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 511 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