Harbourfront Walkway
Harbourfront Walkway
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
633 reviews
Excellent
413
Very good
181
Average
30
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Jaywing18
Seattle, WA437 contributions
Sept 2021 • Family
Wonderful walk after dinner on a summer evening. There was a hippy drum circle lending to excellent ambiance. Sunset along the water was lovely. We did not have young kids with us today, but the large playground looked really fun. Walking on the boardwalk across the piers there are ice cream shops. Down at the far south end of the marina, there is a cute houseboat Mexican restaurant that seemed bustling.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PookyCake
Victoria, Canada14,923 contributions
Jun 2019
Nanaimo’s Harbourfront Walkway provides an opportunity of escape from our fast-moving, hectic lives. Located just down the street from the Coast Bastion, this easy to walk trail provides a glimpse of some of the city’s best: Here, you can admire the boats moored in the harbour; take in and smell the fresh sea air; watch the bustling docks as fishermen prepare their boats for another adventure; admire the seaplanes as they tootle about; relax in one of the casual coffee or ice cream shops; or admire the physical beauty of Maffeo Sutton Park. In short, it would be easy for one to spend the better part of a whole day exploring Nanaimo’s dynamic Harbourfront.
For me, the Harbourfront Walkway allowed for a moment of reflection. As I ambled along, I couldn’t help but think about how lucky I am to have the people in my life that I do. Whether they be friends or family, they’ve done much to shape who I am today. Really, what better setting that Nanaimo’s beautiful Harbourfront to reflect on such things? Afterwards, and as my stroll came to an end, I couldn’t help but stop for a delightful iced cream treat at “Just Desserts.” It was a good way to spend part of an afternoon, and it’s an activity I highly recommend you take as well.
For me, the Harbourfront Walkway allowed for a moment of reflection. As I ambled along, I couldn’t help but think about how lucky I am to have the people in my life that I do. Whether they be friends or family, they’ve done much to shape who I am today. Really, what better setting that Nanaimo’s beautiful Harbourfront to reflect on such things? Afterwards, and as my stroll came to an end, I couldn’t help but stop for a delightful iced cream treat at “Just Desserts.” It was a good way to spend part of an afternoon, and it’s an activity I highly recommend you take as well.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia W
Nanaimo, Canada7 contributions
Aug 2021
I love the Nanaimo sign. So many people are taking their picture next to it. The playground is great for the kids. Watching the boats and planes constantly changing is a nice past time. Many times there are musical groups getting together. The shops along the way are great for souvenirs and ice cream. The dock for the crabbing is worth walking along. So much to see on this walk. The smell of the ocean is an energizing experience. People are so friendly.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phil_rie
Saskatoon, Canada57 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
This is an okay walk along the ocean. Cool watching the float planes take off. Was a bit shocked of all the street people downtown roaming around. Seen some things that were unexpected. The downtown seems to be a gathering place for homeless wandering people day and night.
Written 23 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C8349XI
Portsmouth, UK23 contributions
Sept 2022 • Solo
The waterside is an ok walk and it is nice watching the boats and the sea planes however the area is very run down. A number of shops or restaurants in the area closed down and a large presence of undesirable people hanging around. Probably best to avoid at night.
Written 4 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spud0018
Mississauga, Canada884 contributions
Jul 2022
Decent walk along the waterfront overlooking the marina where you can also watch seaplanes land and take off. Nothing spectacular though. Significant number of homeless people walking around.
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jayelle1ca
British Columbia, Canada30 contributions
Feb 2020
Took a walk along the waterfront today. The weather was co operating with blue skies and needed a break from errands.
I love the sights and sounds of the harbou, very relaxing. Great to see the shops along the front also.
I love the sights and sounds of the harbou, very relaxing. Great to see the shops along the front also.
Written 11 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
celiamckennapink
Vancouver, Canada21 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
I use to live on Gabriola ; traveling by ferry to highschool in Nanaimo . I loved the Nanaimo downtown core in my teens . I moved to fraser valley in my early 20s . 40 plus years later I am back for a visit . I was saddened to see Nanaimo downtown has fallen on rough times . Graffiti , garbage everywhere, drug attics shooting up , a once upon a-time beautiful harbour park mall now a dirty eyesore . I would not call this a holiday destination anymore. Take the newer highway and go around it all together.
Written 14 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wallybee43
Sherwood Park, Canada368 contributions
Jul 2021
A wide trail along the water front of this pretty little city. Lots of marinas, boats and a seaplane base make this an interesting stroll. There is lots of free parking, public washrooms and a playground area for the kids. There is a mast head where one can climb a few flights of stairs for an incredible view of the harbour and a great place to take pictures. A must see when in Nanaimo!
Written 28 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jocelyne W
Ontario, Canada7 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Walked from our hotel to walkway late afternoon on Sunday. Not busy but not deserted either. View of entire bay and several marinas. Clean, wide, relaxing. leads to a lovely pond and park. Easy to get back on track to hotel. Stairs to get down to walk. Unsure if there are ramps or elevators.
Written 13 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My family of four (including two kids, age 8 and 5) will be visiting the area during spring break this year. We will be spending two days on Gabriola and one night on Protection Island. We'll have one day to spend in Nanaimo, or nearby, before taking ferry to island. My question is, do we focus our half day in Nanaimo (Harbourfront walkway, Maffeo Sutton, etc.) or should we venture a little further north to Parksville, Qualicum Beach, etc? I would really love to see the Cathedral Grove (Port Alberni), but that may be too ambitious with extra driving? Thanks to everyone in advance!
Written 28 January 2019
There is no right answer. Qualicum Beach is a charming small town with several charming stores. It is the home to senior millionaires with several good restaurants. Parksville is not worth spending a half day. Nanaimo is interesting if in addition to the park and Harbourfront you see other interesting areas such as Hammond Bay Road.
Written 28 January 2019
Does the bc ferry arrive at the walkway. Thinking of not taking car on ferry
Written 19 June 2018
No the closest BC Ferry Terminal is in Departure Bay. It is about 45 minute to an hour walk from the waterfront. Lots of taxis to meet you if you want to walk on. Of course the local bus transit stops at the ferry terminal as well.
Written 20 June 2018
Where is the walkway in relation to cruise ship dock?
Written 28 April 2017
Hi, sorry for the delayed response. We just moved to Nanaimo recently and I wasn't sure about the cruise ship terminal so I wanted to get more info. Just walked down there this morning to check it out. Since the terminal is private property I couldn't get right inside as a regular pedestrian. It's about 500 metres south of Port Place which is where the seawall walk starts (or ends I guess). If you are on foot, looks like you'd have to use the city sidewalk to get to Port Place. Like I said, I couldn't get inside the terminal but there is a rail yard between the terminal and Port Place and from the road it didn't look like there was a walkway down there. Not the most picturesque area, with the rail yard there, but once you get to Port Place and to the seawall walk itself, it's very nice. Hope that helps
Written 4 May 2017
What is the distance of the walkway?
Written 7 August 2016
Hello... thank you for your question. Between Cameron Island (across from Thrifty Foods) and the end of the Harbourfront Walkway is just over 3 km one way and takes about 45 minutes to walk. You can walk shorter distances by turning around at any point.
Written 9 August 2016
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