Nicknamed the 'Harbour City', boating in Nanaimo is one of the most popular pastimes for both locals and visitors to Vancouver Island's second largest city, and this destination really is a dream come true for water sports enthusiasts! For starters, there are an abundance of marinas and a city dock to tie up and come ashore. Boating opportunities are almost endless in Nanaimo, BC, from yachting and sailing, to cruisers, charters, kayaking and canoeing in beautiful Provincial Parks, but did you know that you can also participate in something very out of the ordinary when boating in Nanaimo! Nanaimo is the Bathtub Racing Capital of the World and every year hundreds of participants enter for a chance to win the annual bathtub race! The bathtubs are old tubs which have been converted into boats of one kind or another with the aim of the winning the race. Even if you're not interested in entering your own bathtub, join the spectators at the world's original bathtub race for a spectacle you won't want to miss if you're planning on visiting at the end of July! Visitors who prefer the more common forms of boating in Nanaimo will be pleased to hear that you don't have to make your way around in a bathtub! If you're arriving on your own boat there is plenty of space at the Visiting Vessel Pier of the Port of Nanaimo Boat Basin. If you dock here you get the best of both worlds because downtown Nanaimo is just minutes away, so restaurants, shops, hotels and more are all within easy reach. Those not lucky enough to own their own boat will find there's ample opportunity to charter a yacht or bare boat and these can be chartered anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks; great for boaters who want to experience to breathtakingly beautiful coastline around Nanaimo, Van Isle and the rest of the coast of British Columbia. Three Provincial Parks where you can enjoy boating in Nanaimo are within easy reach of the city. Canoeing and kayaking within the waters of Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park is an unforgettable experience, plus boating is also available at Wakes Cove Provincial Park and Whaleboat Island Marine Provincial Park. If you enjoy being on the water, you'll definitely enjoy boating in Nanaimo!