Nanaimo, British Columbia
See the sea
Head out by boat to this ocean park
A secluded getaway: You can see orcas and more at Pirates Cove marine park. —photo courtesy Tourism British Columbia
Located near Nanaimo within the southern Gulf Islands, Pirates Cove Marine Provincial Park on De Courcy Island is a beautiful park featuring diverse sea life such as harbour seals, sea lions, porpoises, orcas, gray and humpback whales, river otters and countless species of birds including bald eagles and great blue herons. The history of De Courcy Island can be traced back more than 3,000 years; shell refuse heaps provide evidence of First Nations’ use of the island that far back. In the early 1900s, Brother XII, a religious cult leader, formed the Aquarian Foundation and created a homestead on De Courcy Island, convincing 8,000 people to follow him to the island in the 1920s and early 1930s.
Pirates Cove Marine Provincial Park is intriguing because of its abundant marine life as well as the interesting sandstone formations that line the shore of Pirates Cove.
Debbie King, a contractor for K2 Park Services—the company that maintains Pirates Cove Marine Provincial Park—said she feels a sense of calm when she is at Pirates Cove.
“My favourite part of the park is the beauty of it,” said King. “You get out there to the marine park and it is just gorgeous…it is stunning. It has that quiet, natural feel about it. Plus, you are still so close to the city and amenities and yet it doesn’t take too long of a journey to get into that peaceful state.”
Resources: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks
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Be sure to visit Nanaimo, BC
Nestled between the ocean and the mountains, Nanaimo offers residents and visitors a diverse range of recreational opportunities, fine dining, shopping, and arts and culture. Be sure to visit the historic downtown and go for a stroll along the Harbourside promenade. Nanaimo also has a vibrant social and cultural life. We host an 800 seat Performing Arts Theatre, a large, a brand new state-of-the-art conference centre, and we are known as the Island's "shopping mecca" since we offer not only name-brand stores but also one-of-a-kind art and clothing galleries, pottery and hand-made jewellery. We look forward to seeing you soon in Nanaimo - one of the most desirable, liveable small cities in North America!
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Nanaimo, BC
Land of the Living Forest
For the fourth consecutive year, RVwest readers have voted Living Forest medal status as one of their favourite privately owned and operated campgrounds in B.C. or as favourite RV snowbirding destination in B.C. Centrally located on Vancouver Island near Nanaimo, this 53-acre waterfront campground is close to many attractions—such as the Nanaimo harbour, malls, ferries and main highways. Campground features include full-service RV sites, ocean views, 30- and 50-amp sites, WiFi, gourmet coffee bar with a view, sewer hookups, sani-dump, cable, tenting areas, laundromat and games room—along with many outdoor activities. Whether you're planning a summer or winter getaway to Vancouver Island, make Living Forest Oceanside Campground your destination.
Living Forest Oceanside Rv Park & Campground -
Calgary, AB
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RV Lifestyles -
Vancouver, BC
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