Beach Estates Park

It's a great little walk wherever you're entered either the access point from the church across from Brooks landing or from Beach park trail just up the hill from the lights at departure bay terminal. You can pretty much walk up to a docked BC ferry, the beach access is right next to one. Follow the creek bed up along the path you might see a little water fall, but that's not the main one it's closer to the church entrance.

Pretty icy right now (early January 2022) so we couldn't make it all the way down. But I'm excited to come back when it melts! This is a beautiful trail with stairs, bridges and waterfalls! So much better than I expected. A hidden gem that takes you to the water!

Lots of stairs. I don't mind but just saying. Liked ending up at the beach. Watched the ferry load up and leave. Nice.

One of my favourite in town excursions.Lovely 20 min. walk ending up at the beach by the Departure Ferrys.

Great hike, really enjoyed the trail, easy to get too as well

Beach Estates Park is a lovely little gem of a walk that travels through a lengthy ravine starting on Departure Bay Road across from Brooks Landing and takes you right down to the waterfront. At that point you can veer left or right to get to local neighbourhoods, or at low tide you can also walk along the sea floor to where it reconnects with the walking path at the BC Ferry Terminal. The City of Nanaimo is planning to connect these paths to extend the waterfront boardwalk. The park is made up of a series of paths, walkways, bridges and staircases that winds through a lush, mossy, green forest. It really is quite beautiful and is like a different world down there. There is a lovely waterfall along the path and at the right times during the year it is suitably impressive, especially as one of the more elaborate bridges crosses right in front of it. Do be careful as the steps, walkways and bridges can get quite slippery during rainy and winter weather.

Hidden gem! There’s a small beach to walk along and find giant oyster shells, or a lovely and fairly long forest trail surrounding you with temperate rainforest plants. Great place to escape for a medium walk or afternoon picnic!

Great 20 min trail down to the ocean. Mostly stairs and a small waterfall on the way.

Place is a bit of a hidden gem. A decent trail follows a creek with waterfall down a gully. There are bridges and boardwalks as well as some dirt trail. 100% not wheelchair friendly or accessible if you have mobility issues. You end up on a rocky beach directly next to Departure Bay Ferry.

This is one of my favorite parks in Nanaimo. The waterfall is a 2 minute walk from the parking lot, and then a boardwalk and dirt path will lead you downstream and eventually arrive at a beach beside the ferry terminal.