Nanaimo, BC – Inner Boat Basin
Nanaimo is a small city, complete with several marinas, supermarkets, liquor stores, and restaurants. Nanaimo Port Authority administers the inner boat basin and the W.E. Mills Landing and Marina (formerly known as the Cameron Island docks). Both facilities are good and visitors don’t typically get to choose where they’re moored.
The northwest side of E dock is a designated Canadian Customs dock. A Petro Canada fuel dock is also on E dock.
When the wind is blowing, mooring in Nanaimo can be a challenge. The fairways in the Inner Boat Basin are somewhat tight, and the floats are not perpendicular to shore. This is a busy marina during summer. Reservations encouraged, but they must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
A shopping center with a Thrifty supermarket, BC Liquor Store, drug store, and more is located just south of the marina. Harbour Chandler, with a large selection of boat parts, is just north of Stones Marina. Complete marine services are available at a several locations along Newcastle Island Passage.
Nanaimo is a popular place for vessels traveling north to clear customs, provision, and wait for favorable weather on the Strait of Georgia.
Lat/Lon: {49.166663956628895,-123.93407494660971}
Facilities/Services:
Anchorage/Holding: None
Mooring Ball: No
Dock: Yes
Protection: Good
Public/Private: Public
Fee: Yes
Fuel Available: Yes
Potable Water: Yes
Electric: 30A / 50A
Garbage: Yes
Pumpout: Yes
Maintenance: Yes
Groceries: Yes
Laundry: Yes
Liquor: Yes
Transportation: Yes
Cell Service: Excellent
WiFI: Yes
Notes:
Website: www.npa.ca
Phone: 250-754-5053
VHF: 67
Slowboat Tips and Activities
This is an ideal Customs and provisioning stop for vessels traveling north. Given time, we enjoy visiting Newcastle Island Provincial Park.
Entry/Exit Hazards
Nanaimo Harbour is busy with ferries, floatplanes, yachts, and other traffic. Approaching from the south require transiting Dodd Narrows near slack. North of Dodd Narrows, we’ve seen a high concentration of floating logs. In a northerly, the area between Dodd Narrows and Nanaimo gets choppy.
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History
Wildlife
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