When my family first moved to Nanaimo, Pipers Lagoon Park quickly became one of my favourite places on Vancouver Island. We were so thrilled to finally be living here that it felt like we ended up at Pipers Lagoon nearly every evening, soaking in the sea air and coastal views.

Before relocating, we had barely spent any time in Nanaimo. Our trips to the Island always followed the same rushed pattern: drive off the ferry, make a quick stop at the local shops to stock up, and head straight to our final destination. It made sense at the time — when you only have a short window for a trip, every hour feels precious.

Truthfully, one of the main reasons we chose Nanaimo was its central location on Vancouver Island. From here, it’s under three hours to Ucluelet, two hours to Campbell River, and just two and a half hours south to Port Renfrew. We thought of Nanaimo as our “launch point” for exploring the rest of the Island.

But once we settled in, we began to realize how much we had been missing by skipping over the city itself. Pipers Lagoon Park was one of those treasures — a place that locals cherish, but many visitors overlook in their rush to reach more famous destinations.

With its sweeping ocean views, rocky shoreline, and winding trails, Pipers Lagoon offers an authentic taste of Vancouver Island’s coastal beauty. Whether you’re walking the narrow spit that stretches into the sea, watching seabirds wheel overhead, or exploring the tide pools at low tide, it’s an experience that captures the rugged charm of the island.

If you’re planning a visit to Vancouver Island — or even if you’re a local who hasn’t explored much of your own backyard — don’t make the same mistake we did. Slow down, spend an afternoon here, and let Pipers Lagoon Park remind you that sometimes the best destinations are the ones you’ve been passing by for years.