Departure Bay

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)
<p>Departure Bay Beach offers a relaxing atmosphere with beautiful sand and gentle waves, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying stunning coastal views in a vibrant beach setting.</p>
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Things to do

Our new semi-covered vessel has warm seating indoors and a viewing platform at the stern.

Nanaimo Whale Watching in a Semi-Covered Boat

CA $250
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Nanaimo Whale Watching in a Semi-Covered Boat
Tofino to Nanaimo: Private car transfer

Tofino to Nanaimo: Private car transfer

CA $625
per traveller
Tofino to Nanaimo: Private car transfer
See all activities in Nanaimo

Departure Bay Hotel Deals

THE Beach Club Resort

THE Beach Club Resort

3.5 out of 5
181 Beachside Drive Parksville BC
Fully refundable
The price is CA $356 per night from Aug 12 to Aug 13
CA $356
CA $432 total
Aug 12 - Aug 13
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Parksville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,312 reviews)
"Great location. Only complaint was they mixed up my prime rib and my husband steak at dinner. So his steak had the au jus for my prime rib. Kitchen staff/chef should have caught that. And no I didn’t say anything cuz we were starving so we ate it"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2026

THE Beach Club Resort
Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo

Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo

2.5 out of 5
809 Island Hwy S Nanaimo BC
The price is CA $177 per night from Jul 19 to Jul 20
CA $177
CA $205 total
Jul 19 - Jul 20
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Nanaimo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8/10 Very good! (1,554 reviews)
"This was an overall good, clean, family and budget friendly hotel. Breakfast was good with nice variety. Staff were exceptionally friendly and accommodating."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2026

Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo
Hotel Feng, BW Signature Collection

Hotel Feng, BW Signature Collection

2 out of 5
424 West Island Highway Parksville BC
The price is CA $252 per night from Jul 19 to Jul 20
CA $252
CA $290 total
Jul 19 - Jul 20
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Parksville. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (762 reviews)
"We liked the location of this hotel. It was close to the beach, fun park, and food options. The staff was helpful and was also so nice to let us into the breakfast area a couple minutes early. We would stay here again."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2026

Hotel Feng, BW Signature Collection
Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo

Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo

2 out of 5
96 Terminal Avenue North Nanaimo BC
The price is CA $145 per night from Jul 19 to Jul 20
CA $145
CA $168 total
Jul 19 - Jul 20
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Nanaimo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8/10 Very good! (1,355 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2026

Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo
Coast Bastion Hotel

Coast Bastion Hotel

3.5 out of 5
11 Bastion Street Nanaimo BC
The price is CA $199 per night from Jul 19 to Jul 20
CA $199
CA $231 total
Jul 19 - Jul 20
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Nanaimo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,673 reviews)
"The room was musty enough to trigger my asthma. Clean but something inherently musty that really impacted my comfort"

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2026

Coast Bastion Hotel
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 CA $379 per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
CA $379
CA $436 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this beach resort in Parksville. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara and Parksville ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Room is clean and tidy. Nice balcony looking towards the water. A good nice visit."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2026

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort
See all 506 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 and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Departure Bay
Learn more about Departure Bay

Central Nanaimo

Central Nanaimo might not have many top sights, but Departure Bay Ferry Terminal and Maffeo Sutton Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Downtown Nanaimo

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

Stephenson Point

Though Stephenson Point might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Departure Bay Beach and Departure Bay Ferry Terminal.

Departure Bay

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