DAY TOURS SOUTH OF THE BUCCANEER INN

Thanks for visiting buccaneerinn.com. While in the process of planning your trip, make use of the quick links below to help plan your activities in Nanaimo and on Vancouver Island , find the right restaurants and why you should use Nanaimo as your base for touring all of Vancouver Island:

• The History of Nanaimo;
• Things to See and Do in Nanaimo;
• Why Nanaimo is the Base of your Vancouver Island Experience;
• Suggestions for Day Tours North and Day Tours South of The Buccaneer Inn;
• Nanaimo Restaurant Reviews and Guide

Gabriola Island, ferry from downtown Nanaimo, 5 Minutes to Ferry

This is the most northerly of the Gulf Islands and is easily accessible from downtown Nanaimo. A 20-minute car and passenger ferry leaves across from Harbour Park Mall, next to Cameron Island (home of Nanaimo's tallest building!). A ring road around Gabriola makes it easy to drive or cycle around. This island is home to 3 provincial parks, all with beaches and tidal pools. The Gallery is home to some beautiful sandstone cliffs. Nanaimo Dive Association dive charter operators take their divers to Gabriola to enjoy some of our best diving spots in the Nanaimo area. Ask for more details. Artisans and artists thrive on the island and welcome visitors to their galleries and studios. You can meet painters, novelists, sculptors, potters or weavers.

Yellow Point, off Trans-Canada Highway 1, Nanaimo, 15 Minutes

Just minutes south of Nanaimo, the communities of Cedar and Yellow Point present a real contrast to the city with their pastoral landscape and rural setting.

Pope & Talbot's' Harmac Pulp Mill, in Cedar, hosts tours through their huge pulp plant Tours run from mid-May to August, Monday, Wednesday and Friday @ 10:00 am. For information and tour appointments call 250.722.4314.

Stuart Channel's peaceful waters are great for boating and lots of boat launches are available. Roberts Memorial Provincial Park and Blue Heron Park allow for good beach access. Cable Bay Trail, a beautiful and accessible chip trail, is located off Barnes Road and leads you down to the log booms near a sawmill where you watch the congregated sea lions in the winter months. You'll also notice a wide array of craft shops and cottage industries, with products ranging from stained glass to pottery, papier-mâché to woolen crafts.

Cassidy, Trans-Canada Highway 1, Nanaimo, 15 Minutes

The Bungy Zone is well renowned for its exhilarating adventure rides. Bungy jump off a bridge or slide down a cable into the canyon. Either way it's an experience you won't forget!

The Nanaimo Salmon Hatchery is located off of Rugby Road just north of Nanaimo Airport @ Cassidy. September to October is the best time to visit, however from March to May you can see the juvenile salmon in their outdoor channels.

Ladysmith, Trans-Canada Highway 1, 25 Minutes

This village was the recently recognised as one of the most picturesque villages in Canada! First Avenue has been lovingly restored and is a great place to explore.

Transfer Beach has a great playground, horseshoe pitch, picnic shelters and a great view of some of the Gulf Islands.

Old Chemainus Road Scenic Route, off Highway 1, 25 Minutes

Follow the signs marked 'Scenic Route' as you leave Ladysmith. The Old Chemainus Road meanders through the countryside and follows the coastline to the town of Chemainus.

Chemainus, Old Chemainus Road, off Highway 1, 40 Minutes

The rejuvenated town of Chemainus is another must-see! Chemainus' reliance on forestry did not bode well for its citizens when British Columbia's coastal mills began downsizing. 'The Little Town that Did' now has tourism as the backbone of the community. Chemainus became Canada's largest permanent outdoor art gallery with the painting of 32 murals, which cover the town's public buildings. The early life of the community is the theme and people flock from all over the globe to see the paintings.

Duncan, Trans-Canada Highway 1, 45 Minutes

Duncan, The City of Totems, has a proud First Nations heritage. The 41 totem poles placed around the town are linked by a self-guided walking tour. You can learn more at the Native Heritage Centre, located just off Highway 1 at the south end of the town. The Centre features pole carving, crafts, theatrical presentations and a feast and legends evening.The B.C. Forestry Museum has many interesting exhibits and a steam train you can ride!

With over 30 displays, a slide show, live fish tanks, an outdoor pond and garden, the Vancouver Island Trout Hatchery is worthwhile visiting any day. Every month they have an excellent line-up of special events including native fishing techniques, wilderness survival techniques and puppet shows.

Lake Cowichan & Area, Highway 18, 1 Hour

The Cowichan River has a beautiful path, which follows the river for over 31 kilometres. Predominantly used to access fishing holes, some sections are fly fishing accessible only.

By following the south road from the village of Cowichan Lake, you'll find the B.C. Forest Research Station at Mesachie Lake. A self-guided tour shows you 33 species of trees that have been imported from around the world. Hiking trails are abundant in this area as well as camping and picnicking spots.

Mill Bay, Trans-Canada Highway 1, 1 Hour 15 Minutes

This pretty little seaside community is home to the Island's most scenic shortcut. A small B.C. Ferry runs from Mill Bay to the Saanich Peninsula. This ferry docks close to the world famous Butchart Gardens and decreases your driving time from The Buccaneer Inn to Butchart Gardens by approximately 45 minutes. Check ferry times at www.bcferries.bc.ca

The Malahat, Trans-Canada Highway 1, 1 Hour 15 Minutes

A renowned 'hill' separating Victoria from the rest of the Island and partly the cause of Victoria's unique microclimate. At the summit of the Malahat is a scenic roadside stop with spectacular vistas of the Coast Mountain Range, Strait of Georgia, Saanich Peninsula and Goldstream Flats.

Goldstream Provincial Park, Trans-Canada Highway 1, 1 Hour 25 Minutes

Located at the southern end of the Malahat, Goldstream Park is a wonderful spot to wander the trails or visit the Interpretative Centre on Goldstream Flats. This park is best known for its large salmon migration up the Goldstream River. Thousands of schoolchildren migrate annually to watch the salmon swim up the river to begin the next phase of their life cycle.

Victoria, Trans-Canada Highway 1, 1 Hour 30 Minutes

British Columbia's gorgeous capital city is home to some of our best-known tourism assets: Butchart Gardens; Empress Hotel; the Legislative Buildings and the Royal British Columbia Museum. The Inner Harbour, located in front of The Empress, is the focal point of the downtown core. Tea at the Empress, followed by a walk along the Inner Harbour and then over to Beacon Hill Park is a must-do.

Driving along the Scenic Route will take through Uplands Golf Course and its majestic views of the Olympic Mountain Range in neighbouring Washington State.

Whale watching from the Inner Harbour out to the Strait of Juan de Fuca is available.

Victoria is one and half-hours from Nanaimo and is a very enjoyable day trip from The Buccaneer Inn. Why not take one of our packed lunches?

Sidney, Highway 17, 1 Hour 45 Minutes

Sidney is the home of Swartz Bay, the Island's busiest B.C. Ferry terminal.

Diving opportunities abound and the G.B. Church, B.C.'s first artificial reef is situated just offshore. Saanich Peninsula is nearby and affords great peaceful, rural driving tours throughout the farmlands.

Port Renfrew, Highway 14, 3 Hours

Port Renfrew is the start, or end, of the world famous West Coast Trail. This challenging 7-day hike follows the rugged West Coast of Vancouver Island. Over 10,000 hikers a year complete this odyssey. A quota system is in effect.

The new 47 kilometre Juan de Fuca Trail stretches from China Beach, just west of the community of Jordan River to Botanical Beach. The trail offers scenic beauty, spectacular hiking, wildlife viewing and roaring surf. Most of the trail is designed for strenuous day or multi-day hiking opportunities in this rugged and isolated area. Some easy to moderate day hiking opportunities to the beach or along the trail are available starting from the trailheads at China Beach, Sombrio Beach, Parkinson Creek and Botanical Beach. Trailheads are clearly marked along Highway 14. Remember to check local tide tables to maximise opportunities for wildlife and tide pool viewing.

The Buccaneer Inn is pick-up point for trail hikers starting or finishing in Bamfield. Need a place to relax and unwind for your and your fellow hikers before or after The Trail? We have 2 dry rooms to dry off your tents, sleeping bags and other gear after you've finished hiking. We also have a rinse station, barbeque, picnic tables and laundry facilities. We're next to excellent restaurants, pubs, shopping center, large food store and a bank. Need a ride to the ferry in the morning? No problem, we can get you there!

Just ask the friendly West Coast Express drivers to drop you off at The Buccaneer instead of Departure Bay Ferry terminal. For information on the West Coast Trail Express, please visit them at www.trailbus.com. If you need a ride from the ferry, please call 250.753.1246 for pick-up (must be arranged in advance).

The Buccaneer Inn - Nanaimo BC's highest rated motel since 1998!
1577 Stewart Avenue, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, V9S 4E3
Telephone: 250-753-1246
Contact us by email: sleepwell@buccaneerinn.com
Toll Free Reservations (Canada & U.S.A., 9 am to 9 pm Pacific daily) 1-877-282-6337

Visit our other sites nanaimocanada.com and divingbc.com

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