Embarking on a road trip across Vancouver Island is an adventure filled with endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. And if there’s one journey that encapsulates the island’s diverse beauty, it’s the drive from Victoria to Nanaimo.

While the distance between these two cities may be relatively short, clocking in at around 2 hours, rushing through means missing out on a wealth of spectacular sights along the way. That’s why I’ve crafted an itinerary for an immersive road trip experience from Victoria to Nanaimo.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor eager to soak in the island’s wonders or a seasoned local seeking new adventures, I urge you to embrace the journey and take your time to savour each moment. After all, it’s the unexpected discoveries that often leave the most lasting impressions.

So buckle up and prepare to be captivated as we delve into the delights of this unforgettable route from Victoria to Nanaimo.

Victoria to Nanaimo road trip. Vancouver Island View

Best Stops Between Victoria and Nanaimo

Victoria

Victoria is one of those cities you can spend a week in and still not see everything. But to ensure you hit the highlights, I recommend at least three days – especially if it’s your first visit.

Top Attractions in Victoria

  • Royal BC Museum – a natural and human history museum presented through three different galleries located in the heart of the city.
  • The Butchart Gardens – a top tourist destination just outside of Victoria.
  • Victoria Bug Zoo – home to some of the world’s rarest insects, arachnids and other creepy-crawlies.
  • Beacon Hill Park – a 200-acre beautifully landscaped park with wild peacocks and a petting zoo.
  • Miniature World – tiny themed dioramas and displays representing historical times and fictional worlds.

If you have more than three days or want to pack in as much as possible, here are a few more ideas.

Luxury Accommodations

Mid-Range Accommodations

Looking for Vacation Rentals? We’ve got you covered:

Top Vacation Rentals in Victoria 


Cowichan Valley

From Victoria, make your way towards the Cowichan Valley. Driving north along Highway 1, you will pass by quaint towns and experience breathtaking views of the sea and the Gulf Islands. A notable spot along the Malahat is Goldstream Provincial Park.

Highlights of the Cowichan Valley


Are you looking to explore Vancouver Island? Here is an extensive road trip from Victoria to Nanaimo showcasing all of the must see attractions along the way.

Nanaimo / Ladysmith

From Chemainus, continue to head north towards Nanaimo. A notable spot to stop for a few hours is Transfer Beach in Ladysmith if time allows. And DON’T pass through Ladysmith without stopping at the Old Town Bakery!! Their cinnamon buns are so delicious and popular that your best bet is to order ahead of time.

Nanaimo Attractions

If you have more time to spend in Nanaimo, read 48 Hours in Nanaimo for even more ideas.

Best Nanaimo Vacation Rentals


To conclude your trip, BC Ferries has two ports in Nanaimo. The Duke Point terminal will take you back to Tsawwassen (the same port you would have travelled from to Victoria) or the Departure Bay ferry, which takes you to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.

Have I missed one of your favourite spots?

Please leave a comment below if you feel I should have included another must-see attraction or destination for this extensive road trip from Victoria to Nanaimo.

Don’t forget to save this article on Pinterest for future reference!

Are you heading to Victoria, BC and looking for things to do? Why not make the trek to Nanaimo for a great Vancouver Island road trip. Travel this scenic highway and find unique locations along the way.
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12 Comments

  1. Great suggestions!

    But hey , don’t bypass Ladysmith. Funky downtown with Island renown bakery, vegan restaurants and one of a kind boutiques. Winter time Ladysmith lights up the town like no other – Festival of Lights a must see.

    Also, one of the warmest waters for swimming, easy access kayaking, SUP – rentals at Transfer Beach. Kid friendly. 3 Marinas including working Fisherman’s where you can sometimes buy fresh catch of the day.

    And hiking; Holland Creek Trail, Heart Lake, Christie Falls, Thistle Mine for starters.

    Yellow Point is also technically Ladysmith and there are so many attractions there!

  2. If going further north I recommend Qualicum Beach, the falls on the Little Qualicum River are a must see, especially in the spring. Milner Gardens are lovely and a nice comparison to Butchart Gardens. The beaches of Parksville are the best on the island.
    In Nanaimo, public access to the ocean for nature walks are available at Neck Pt. and Pipers Lagoon. Morrell Sanctuary is a hikers delight and easy enough to walk with children. Buttertubs is a great place to take little ones and you can see many birds. No dogs allowed there, however.

    1. All excellent suggestions, Jim. Thank you. For anyone reading this comment, all of these wonderful suggestions have been written about in various articles. To find information about each one, just enter the name in the search bar.

  3. Jenny Buzek says:

    In Victoria, I really enjoyed the Robert Bateman Gallery.

  4. Joan Fenner says:

    We were just in that area and attended a play in Chamainus. Delightful! There are also a variety of hikes out of Ladysmith if time permits.

    1. Aren’t the plays at the Chemainus Theatre spectacular? We’ve attended quite a few, and I am always so impressed. Yes, there are some great hiking trails around Ladysmith. Many of which I have still yet to explore! Thanks for the great suggestions.

  5. Charles McDonald says:

    We like to stop in Ladysmith to kayak

    1. That’s a great idea! Do you rent them from Sealegs Kayak Adventures at Transfer Beach?

  6. Mysty Beal says:

    Whoa! Consider departure point from Port Angeles, WA via the Blackball (Coho) ferry! That’s our planned ferry to Victoria.

    1. Yes, indeed! When travelling to Victoria from Washington, the Black Ball ferry is great! The ferries mentioned were for travellers leaving Nanaimo. 🙂

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