North Nanaimo Real Estate

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North Nanaimo Parks and Beaches Nearby

• Blueback Beach
  

  • Amenities & Features:
    

    • Expansive sandy beach at low tide, rocky at high tide
    • Secluded, quiet, and popular for swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing
    • Stair access (about 300 steps), driftwood, and tide pools
    • Dog-friendly (leash required at most times)

  • Directions: Located at the end of Blueback Road in North Nanaimo. From Hammond Bay Road, turn onto Blueback Road. Look for the intersection with Icarus Drive as a local landmark. Street parking is available nearby; follow the stairway down to the beach.

• Invermere Beach
  

  • Amenities & Features:
    

    • Oceanfront sandy beach, especially at low tide
    • Designated off-leash dog beach year-round
    • Stair access down to the beach

  • Directions: Accessed via Invermere Road, off Hammond Bay Road. Park along Invermere Road and follow the stairs to the waterfront. Look for nearby Seabold Road as a landmark.

• Neck Point Park
  

  • Amenities & Features:
    

    • 36 acres of waterfront parkland with rugged rocks, pebble and sandy beaches
    • Scenic walking trails through Garry Oak groves
    • Popular for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and wildlife viewing (sea lions, orcas possible)
    • Public washrooms and parking lot

  • Directions: From Hammond Bay Road, turn onto Morningside Drive and follow signs to the park entrance. The parking lot is near the main entrance, just west of Pipers Lagoon Park.

• Pipers Lagoon Park
  

  • Amenities & Features:
    

    • Large lagoon, scenic ocean views, and birdwatching (sandpipers, herons, and more)
    • Trails, grassy picnic areas, and access to Shack Island at low tide
    • Small sandy and rocky beaches, tidal pools

  • Directions: Located off Hammond Bay Road, turn onto Lagoon Drive. The park is adjacent to Neck Point Park. Parking is available at the park entrance.

• Brannen Lake Beach & Boat Launch
  

  • Amenities & Features:
    

    • Freshwater swimming, sandy beach, and boat launch
    • Fishing dock and shaded playground nearby
    • Popular for kayaking, canoeing, and power boating

  • Directions: Access via Dunster Road in the Pleasant Valley neighbourhood. From Mostar Road, turn onto Dunster Road; the beach and boat launch are signposted near the lake’s edge.

• Long Lake (Loudon Park)
  

  • Amenities & Features:
    

    • Freshwater lake with sandy beach and swimming area
    • Boardwalk and trail around part of the lake
    • Popular for swimming, paddling, and fishing
    • Playground and picnic tables available

  • Directions: Located at Loudon Park, accessible from Island Highway (Highway 19) via Rutherford Road, then onto Victoria Avenue and onto Long Lake Road. Parking is available near the park entrance.

• Westwood Lake Park
  

  • Amenities & Features:
    

    • Freshwater lake with sandy beach and roped-off swimming area (lifeguards in summer)
    • Picnic tables, benches, and washrooms
    • 7 km trail encircling the lake, ideal for walking or running
    • Non-motorized boating, paddleboarding, and fishing

  • Directions: Take Westwood Road off Jingle Pot Road. The main entrance and parking area are near the Westwood Lake Tennis Club. Follow signs to the beach area.

• Departure Bay Beach (Kinsmen Park)
  

  • Amenities & Features:
    

    • Sandy and pebbly beach with calm water, great for swimming and tide pool exploring
    • Playground, picnic tables, and public washrooms
    • Views of ferries and mountains, family-friendly atmosphere

  • Directions: Located on Departure Bay Road, adjacent to Kinsmen Park. Easily accessed from the Island Highway, with parking and bus stops nearby. The BC Ferries terminal is a prominent local landmark.

North Nanaimo Schools Nearby

• Frank J. Ney Elementary School

  Address: 5301 Williamson Road, Nanaimo, BC V9V 1L1

  Phone: 250-758-5711

  Grades: K-7

  Notable: Serves much of North Nanaimo, including areas previously in the Rutherford catchment. Recent catchment adjustments have expanded its area.

• Randerson Ridge Elementary School

  Address: 6021 Nelson Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 6R6

  Phone: 250-758-5076

  Grades: K-7

  Notable: Located in North Nanaimo, with a catchment that includes established residential areas. Some boundary changes are anticipated due to nearby development.

• McGirr Elementary School

  Address: 6199 McGirr Road, Nanaimo, BC V9V 1M5

  Phone: 250-758-8946

  Grades: K-7

  Notable: One of the largest elementary schools in the area, serving the western part of North Nanaimo.

• Rutherford Elementary School (Re-opening September 2025)

  Address: 5840 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC V9T 5M6

  Phone: 250-758-4404

  Grades: K-7

  Notable: Will re-open with a new catchment area covering parts of North Nanaimo previously served by Frank J. Ney and McGirr. Capacity for 340 students.

• Dover Bay Secondary School

  Address: 6135 McGirr Road, Nanaimo, BC V9V 1M1

  Phone: 250-756-4595

  Grades: 8-12

  Notable: Main secondary school for North Nanaimo residents.

North Nanaimo: Location and Accessibility

Location

North Nanaimo is a prominent neighbourhood in the northern part of the city of Nanaimo, situated on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This area is bordered by the Strait of Georgia to the east and is known for its scenic waterfront, newer residential developments, and proximity to both natural and urban amenities. North Nanaimo is easily accessible via the Island Highway (Highway 19), which runs through the city and connects it to other Vancouver Island communities.

Transportation and Access

• By Car: North Nanaimo is accessible by car from the rest of Nanaimo and Vancouver Island via Highway 19 and Highway 19A. Main arterial roads such as Hammond Bay Road and Rutherford Road provide direct access to residential and commercial areas.
• Public Transit: The Nanaimo Regional Transit System operates several bus routes serving North Nanaimo, connecting it with downtown Nanaimo, ferry terminals, and other neighbourhoods.
• Ferry Access: North Nanaimo is within a short drive of the Departure Bay and Duke Point ferry terminals, providing regular service to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
• Air Travel: The Nanaimo Airport (YCD) and the Nanaimo Harbour Water Airport offer regional and floatplane connections.

Neighbourhood Features

• Shopping & Services: North Nanaimo is home to major shopping centres such as Nanaimo North Town Centre and Woodgrove Centre, as well as a range of restaurants, grocery stores, and professional services.
• Parks & Recreation: The area features several parks and beaches, including Neck Point Park, Loudon Park, and Linley Valley Park, offering walking trails, waterfront access, and recreational facilities.
• Schools: North Nanaimo has multiple schools, including Dover Bay Secondary, Ecole Hammond Bay Elementary (French immersion), and proximity to private options like Aspengrove School.

Accessibility Initiatives

• Accessible Parks: The City of Nanaimo has installed Mobi-Mat accessibility mats at several beaches and parks, including Neck Point Park and Loudon Park, to improve access for wheelchair users, people with strollers, and those with mobility aids.
• Transit Accessibility: Public transit buses are equipped with low-floor, wheelchair-accessible features, and many stops are designed for ease of access.
• Park Improvements: The Regional District of Nanaimo continues to upgrade parks and trails with features such as wheelchair-friendly surfaces, accessible washrooms, and interpretive signage with audio narration.

Map and Further Resources

• Map of Nanaimo and North Nanaimo
• Guide to Living in North Nanaimo
• City of Nanaimo Parks Directory

Scenic Views from North Nanaimo

Neck Point Park

Neck Point Park is renowned for its rugged coastline and sweeping ocean vistas. From its wooden viewing platforms and rocky outcrops, you can gaze across the Salish Sea to the distant mainland mountains. The park’s secluded coves and pebble beaches offer prime spots for sunrise and sunset photography, and it’s common to spot orcas, sea lions, and eagles. The coastal trails provide multiple vantage points for panoramic sea and mountain views.
Learn more about Neck Point Park

Pipers Lagoon Park

Pipers Lagoon Park features a crescent-shaped beach and a raised walkway with expansive views of the ocean, mainland mountains, and passing ferries. The loop trail circles the lagoon and offers perspectives over Shack Island, known for its colourful cabins. This park is a favourite for birdwatching and storm watching, with dramatic waves during windy weather.
Explore Pipers Lagoon Park

Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain is a small, easily accessible hill in the Departure Bay neighbourhood. After a short climb, you’re rewarded with a 360-degree panorama: Departure Bay and the ferry terminal below, the city’s rooftops, the silhouette of Mount Benson, and the Coastal Mountains beyond. It’s a top spot for both sunrise and sunset views.
Discover Sugarloaf Mountain

Mount Benson

For those seeking a more challenging adventure, Mount Benson offers a summit experience with sweeping views over all of Nanaimo, the Strait of Georgia, and the snowy peaks of the mainland. On clear days, you can see as far as Vancouver’s skyline and the Gulf Islands. The hike is demanding but the panoramic reward is unmatched.
Mount Benson hiking details

Ocean and Island Vistas

• Views from North Nanaimo parks often include the Salish Sea, Newcastle Island, Protection Island, and the bustling harbour with ferries and sailboats.
• Sunsets over the water are particularly striking, with the sky reflecting off the calm sea and the mountains in silhouette.
• Wildlife sightings are common, including seals, sea lions, and a variety of seabirds.

Other Notable Viewpoints

• Jack Point/Biggs Park: Unique vantage of downtown Nanaimo, the ferry terminals, and estuary landscapes.
• Westwood Lake: Scenic lake views framed by forest and Mount Benson in the background.
• Bastion Square Park: Overlooks the busy harbour, marina, and Newcastle Channel.

Photo Inspiration and More

For visual inspiration and more information on Nanaimo’s scenic spots, check out local photography and tourism resources:

• Tourism Nanaimo: 10 of the Best Views
• Top 10 Nanaimo Hikes

Shopping Experiences in North Nanaimo, BC

Major Shopping Centres

• Woodgrove Centre

  Vancouver Island’s largest shopping centre, featuring over 150 stores and services including Hudson’s Bay, Walmart, Toys “R” Us, Winners, Sport Chek, Save-On-Foods, and Chapters. Located at 6631 Island Highway North, it is a central hub for fashion, electronics, groceries, and entertainment.

• Nanaimo North Town Centre

  A convenient mall with over 600,000 square feet of shops and services, including Canadian Tire, Lowe’s, Galaxy Theatres, Fairway Market, and Fit4Less by Goodlife Fitness. It also features local retailers and is easily accessible by public transit.

Additional Shopping Destinations

• Country Club Centre

  Home to over 50 stores, including Best Buy, Starbucks, Lucky’s Liquor Store, and Soap Exchange. This centre offers a wide range of goods and services, family-friendly amenities, and pet facilities.

• Brooks Landing Mall

  Features sports shops like Cascadia and office supply stores such as Staples. It caters to both locals and visitors, with a mix of retail and business-oriented outlets.

• Rock City Centre

  A smaller outlet with a mix of chain eateries (Tim Hortons, Wendy’s) and independent businesses (Neon Nails, Nellie’s Dutch Deli).

Local and Specialty Shopping

• Old City Quarter

  A charming area focused on local businesses, unique boutiques, and eateries. Shoppers can find locally sourced clothing, books, collectibles, and enjoy a variety of dining options, including vegan and gluten-free choices.

• Farmers Markets

  Seasonal markets such as the Cedar Farmers Market offer fresh local produce, artisanal goods, and crafts from Vancouver Island vendors.

Nearby Experiences

• Port Place Shopping Centre

  Located downtown, this centre offers a range of shops, services, and restaurants, with easy parking and access to the waterfront.

Summary Table: Key Shopping Centres in North Nanaimo