Tourism Nanaimo is kicking off spring with a new campaign, Break Spring, that gently suggests travellers take a deep breath, step away from the chaos, and remember Nanaimo is just a ferry ride away, where the journey doubles as sightseeing and the snack bar still sells Nanaimo bars.
The new Break Spring campaign leans into a simple truth: after a long winter, a coastal reset sounds pretty great. Designed to challenge predictable spring travel, the campaign positions Nanaimo as bold, a little offbeat, and bursting with opportunity. From coastal hikes and early-season whale watching to creative corners and classic local indulgences, spring in Nanaimo is active, unpolished, and impossible to sit still in.
“Nanaimo delivers the Canadian spring experience people don’t know they are looking for,” says Carly Pereboom, CEO of Tourism Nanaimo. “We’ve got it all – ocean air, early patio season, wildlife sightings, and a trip that feels doable without breaking the bank.”
Break Spring highlights the kind of getaway where the biggest decision is whether to hike or brunch first, where wildlife sightings happen without booking a theme park, and your travel budget still recognizes you when you get home. In other words, the kind of spring break that feels like a break.
Additionally, with major global sporting events drawing attention to BC’s west coast this spring, Nanaimo is preparing to welcome Lower Mainland residents looking to balance the buzz with space to breathe, while also hosting visitors who want to explore beyond the mainland between matches. While the city is not a host location for matches, Tourism Nanaimo is working alongside provincial partners and transportation providers to highlight Nanaimo as an easy coastal add-on or escape for travellers already planning time in the region.
Visitors can expect new itineraries, seasonal offers, and plenty of local spots ready to host match-watch gatherings with good food, good company, and significantly less crowding.
