Day Trips, Driving Distances
Howard Johnson Hotel, Nanaimo, BC

Distance Chart:

Nanaimo is centrally located on the East Coast of Vancouver Island. There are many popular day trips available. Times and distances are listed below to other popular destinations:

Oceanside Region

The Oceanside region stretches along the coastline from Nanoose Bay to Deep Bay in Lighthouse Country, and west on Highway 4 to encompass Arrowsmith Coombs Country. Besides incredible golf courses and beaches that seem to go on forever, Oceanside has artisan studios to browse, museums to visit, parks to explore, and more than 160 annual events to participate in. Oceanside recreation is just as exciting and includes bird watching, hiking, boating, kayaking, caving, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Comox Valley

An hours drive north on Hwy 19 will put you in the Comox Valley, which has many incredible outdoor options. Hiking, horseback riding, boating, fishing, swimming, mountain biking, diving, camping, golfing, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding, farm tours, farm markets, festivals, arts events -it's all happening in the Comox Valley. This alpine-to-ocean recreation playground includes Denman and Hornby islands, Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland as well as more than forty parks to play in year-round.

Victoria

Victoria is just a 90 minute scenic drive south of Nanaimo. For decades visitors have been coming to British Columbia's capital city to experience "a bit of Britain on the West coast." Horse-drawn carriages are still one of the most pleasant and romantic ways to see the sights around town and double decker buses are a familiar sight. Victoria's brilliant Butchart gardens draw a growing number of admirers, and afternoon tea is practically an institution. However Victoria has a wild side of outdoor adventure activities available such as kayaking, cycling, hiking, fishing, golfing, horseback riding, windsurfing and diving are all experienced year round. “While visiting Victoria stay at the Howard Johnson Hotel”

Tofino

A destination of international acclaim, picturesque, coastal Tofino is surrounded by old growth forest, white-sand beaches, and the all powerful Pacific Ocean. Tofino is the heart of Clayoquot Sound, an area of awe-inspiring beauty. Tofino offers an intriguing contrast of pristine wilderness and world-class luxury, peaceful tranquility and exhilarating excitement. You can camp on a remote island, or enjoy the opulence of a renowned spa, picnic on the beach or dine in an award-winning restaurant. The Pacific Rim region welcomes approximately 20,000 gray whales that travel along the coastline between March and October on an annual migration route. Whale watching tours are a popular tourist activity in this region.

Port Hardy

The largest community in the North Island region, Port hardy offers a wealth of year-round outdoor adventures. Long acclaimed for its world-class saltwater fishing, Port Hardy has a fleet of charter boats waiting to take you out on the waves. Divers come here year-round to explore the magnificent marine life under the sparkling Pacific. Guided kayaking, canoeing, caving, boating, helicopter, floatplane, hiking, golfing, and wildlife viewing tours are a few more ways to experience Port Hardy's great outdoors.