Reply To: Parking in Nanaimo for paddle to Newcastle Island

The Brechin Bay Boat Launch that Kevin mentioned in his reply is a great option.  The boat launch is a convenient start for a paddle over to Newcastle – it’s where you would put in if you’re wheeling on and off the Departure Bay/Horseshoe Bay ferry – and the parking lot is reserved for people using the boat launch.  The parking is cheap and there has always been lots of space available whenever we’ve been there, even on the Labour Day long weekend.  You can unload very close to the ramp and there’s a separate section just for kayaks so you don’t have to worry about competing with power boats.