Vancouver Island’s East Coast is kissed by sandy beaches, lapped by the waters of the Strait of Georgia.  The Trans Canada Highway skirts its coastline along much of its route, winding north to become a marine highway at Departure Bay.

At the heart of this region is the city of Nanaimo. History, culture, adventure and amazing scenery combine to make the Nanaimo-Parksville region a magnet for visitors who revel in the many sea to sky attractions available year-round. It’s an unparalleled outdoor playground, opening the door on 360 degrees of adventure, from biking and hiking to water sports and exploring.

Beach communities line the western shores of the Strait of Georgia, stretching from Nanaimo thru Nanoose Bay to Parksville, Qualicum Beach and beyond. From mid July to mid August, Parksville hosts a sandcastle-building competition dubbed as “Parksville Beachfest”. It’s the only world championship sand sculpting official qualification event in Canada. Nearby Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is an important stopover area for migratory birds providing birders with opportunities to sight many different species.

The region can be busy during the summer months so visitors travelling by RV would be wise to book RV campsites in advance. The whole area is perfect for a laid-back style of vacation and won’t disappoint.

Top 5 Things to Do

  • Sample Nanaimo Bars on the Nanaimo Bar Trail
  • Go whale watching
  • Horne Lake Caves
  • Sign up for a Craft Beverage and Culinary Tour
  • Witness the historic canon firing on Nanaimo's waterfront

Home to the Nanaimo Bar

No proof has yet been found that this favourite Canadian desert treat orignated in Nanaimo but there's no doubt that Nanaimo has made it their own.
Englishman River near Parksville BC-ss622188209
Englishman River near Parksville BC
Rathtrevor-Beach-Parksville-1044796996.jpg
Rathtrevor Beach, Parksville, BC
Sunset over Nanaimo - Shutterstock
Sunset over Nanaimo, BC
nanaimo-sand-castle-shutterstock_3233812
Parksville hosts a sandcastle building competition every summer

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Video courtesy of Tourism Nanaimo

The beaches here are first-class. A perfect area for a laid-back vacation with the family.
Allison Henry
Whitehorse, Yukon
The Nanaimo Bar Trail was a really fun activity to do with the kids - didn't know there were so many varieties of this sweet treat!
Daniel Foster
Miami, Florida

Itineraries that include British Columbia

Start/End Vancouver / Vancouver
Duration 9 days
Okanagan Wine Tour
The Okanagan valley offers a tantalizing experience for anyone who loves fabulous wine accompanied by fine cuisine. This is a perfect opportunity to taste the global culinary infusion of locally grown products complemented with renowned Okanagan wines. With more than 150 wineries in the Okanagan region, our itinerary can only offer suggestions as to how to make the most of your RV wine tour experience. And please, no drinking and driving!
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Start/End Vancouver / Vancouver
Duration 7 days
Sea to Sky Adventure
You may be familiar with British Columbia’s Sea to Sky because it played a starring role when Vancouver was host to the 2010 Olympic Games. Known for its breathtaking views and Vancouver’s greatest backyard and playground, escape the city and explore the Coast Mountain Range in the towns of Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.
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Start/End Vancouver / Vancouver
Duration 16 days
Southern BC to the Rockies Circle
Enjoy 16 days exploring the beauty of Western Canada from the Pacific coast, to the Rocky Mountains, to the interior of British Columbia. This tour gives you a unique taste of some of British Columbia and Alberta’s most spectacular sights.
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Start/End Vancouver / Vancouver
Duration 7 days
Sunshine Coast
British Columbia's Sunshine Coast is a rugged, secluded, marvelously laid-back area people instantly appreciate when they make the journey. It stretches from Gibsons to Lund in an approximate 180 kilometre-long collection of ocean-side villages, creating homes for unique waterside shops, friendly locals and the easygoing, coastal lifestyle.
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Start/End Vancouver / Calgary
Duration 12 days
The Crowsnest Route - Vancouver to Calgary
A leisurely alternative to the more-travelled route, Highway 3 meanders south from Hope, BC through Manning Provincial Park and the mountainous terrain of the Cascades. It’s a 1250km scenic route that will have you discovering something new at every turn.
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Start/End Vancouver / Vancouver
Duration 24 days
Totem Circle
From spectacular coastline to mountains, to inland British Columbia and beyond, our Totem Circle tour takes you through some of Western Canada’s most spectacular scenery. Immerse yourself in fur trading history and learn about the culture of the indigenous people who inhabited this land before the arrival of European settlers. Small cities and towns will delight you as you discover your own piece of paradise on this iconic route.
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Start/End Vancouver / Whitehorse
Duration 19 days
Vancouver to Whitehorse
Our one-way itinerary from Vancouver to Whitehorse via the Inside Passage takes you to unexpected places and encompasses two ferry rides along with the best of Canada’s spectacular outdoors. Please note that both a Northern Surcharge fee and the US Travel fee are applicable to this itinerary.
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Start/End Vancouver / Vancouver
Duration 10 days
Vancouver Island Experience
Enjoy ten days exploring the diverse landscape and culture of beautiful Vancouver Island. From rainforests to marshes, beaches to mountains, oceans, rivers and lakes, Vancouver Island is one of the world's premier locations for whale watching, birding and fishing. Your CanaDream RV is the perfect way to experience it all.
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Start/End Vancouver / Vancouver
Duration 30 days
West Coast Road Trip
We're Disney bound but the destination is just one part of the journey! The Pacific Coast highway is the ultimate west coast road trip. The beautiful thing about taking your holiday along the Pacific Ocean is the freedom to stop and take in the ocean breeze whenever your heart desires. Some of our favourite places to stop along this journey are the Redwood Forest, Cannon Beach, Mendocino and Big Sur. Of course, spending time visiting Disneyland and other area attractions is your ultimate goal but there's so much more to do and see on this Pacific Coast RV road trip. Please note that the US Driving fee is applicable to this route.
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Start/End Vancouver / Vancouver
Duration 12 days
Winter Sea to Sky
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of snow-capped mountains, towering in glory as they reach out to embrace the sparkling expanse of the sea. Transport yourself to a place where the silence of the forest is broken by crunching snow and the occasional cry of a bald eagle.
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