Nanaimo Neighbourhood

Departure Bay Real Estate.

Departure Bay combines oceanfront access, ferry connections, and established family streets. Piper's Lagoon, beach access, and north Nanaimo convenience make it one of the city's most desirable areas.

Browse 31 Homes Open Explorer
31 Homes for sale Active MLS listings
$924,900 Median price Current area inventory
1 New this week Recently listed
266 Nearby places Within roughly 2 km

Area overview

Living in Departure Bay

Departure Bay is built around its beach. The neighbourhood wraps the bay of the same name — one of Nanaimo's best swimming spots — and the proximity to the water shapes both the lifestyle and the market. Homes on the upper streets catch views over the bay and the Gulf Islands beyond. Those at the water's edge are among the most sought-after addresses in the city. It is a residential neighbourhood in the truest sense — quiet, established, and oriented around outdoor life rather than commercial activity. The Departure Bay ferry terminal connects foot passengers directly to Horseshoe Bay, which makes it a practical choice for buyers who commute to the Lower Mainland occasionally. The mix of buyers here is wide: young families who want the beach, established professionals who want the views, and retirees who have earned the address. Inventory is limited because most people who live here do not want to leave.

See 31 homes for sale →
8,989 Population · 2021
+5.43% Growth · 2016–2021
Know the Area

Departure Bay at a Glance

A quick look at current market activity, neighbourhood demographics, and nearby places in Departure Bay.

Market Status
Slower
Current Market

Current inventory and sales activity provide a useful snapshot of conditions for buyers comparing homes in Departure Bay.

Area Facts
8
Pending sales
Current market activity
8,989
Population
2021 census
+ 5.43%
Population change
2016-2021
266
Nearby places
25 schools 158 parks 15 shops 68 cafes
Local Connections

Getting Around

Approximate driving times from Departure Bay.

Drive times
Downtown Nanaimo 5.9 km
10 min
Departure Bay Ferry 3.8 km
9 min
Costco Nanaimo 7.8 km
14 min
Vancouver Island University 7.4 km
13 min
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital 3.8 km
7 min
Neck Point Park 5.8 km
9 min

Approximate off-peak driving times. Actual travel times may vary with traffic, weather and route conditions.

Buyer Insights
Local Market Snapshot

Departure Bay currently accounts for 9% of active listings in Nanaimo, giving buyers a useful view into one of the local neighbourhood markets.

Buyer Insight

Departure Bay appeals to buyers looking for a practical neighbourhood with room to compare options. A strong mix of detached homes, local amenities and nearby parks can make it a good fit for households planning to stay longer term.

Long-Term Outlook

While future home values cannot be predicted, Departure Bay combines neighbourhood fundamentals that buyers often consider over the long term, including local amenities, housing mix and population trends.

Neighbourhood amenities

What's nearby in Departure Bay

A snapshot of the everyday services, family amenities, recreation and transportation options around the neighbourhood.

Local snapshot

Departure Bay
Slower Current market
8,989 Population · 2021
+ 5.43% Population · 2016–2021
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Everyday
Families
Outdoors
Getting Around

Nanaimo Departure Bay Homes

31 homes

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2835 Glenayr Drive
$736,000
2835 Glenayr Drive
Nanaimo, BC
2 bd 2 ba 1,990 sq ft Lot 0.25 acres
Courtesy of Royal LePage Island Living (PK)
2935 Colwood Road
$729,000
2935 Colwood Road
Nanaimo, BC
4 bd 2 ba 1,975 sq ft Lot 8,383 sq ft
Courtesy of Real Broker
3161 Singleton Road
$679,900
3161 Singleton Road
Nanaimo, BC
3 bd 3 ba 1,456 sq ft Lot 9,565 sq ft
Courtesy of eXp Realty (NA)
830 Beach Drive
$924,900
830 Beach Drive
Nanaimo, BC
4 bd 3 ba 2,474 sq ft Lot 8,636 sq ft
Courtesy of Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty (NanIsHwyN)
2404 Glenayr Drive
$825,000
2404 Glenayr Drive
Nanaimo, BC
3 bd 3 ba 2,123 sq ft Lot 0.26 acres
Courtesy of Stonehaus Realty Corp.
3470 Maveric Road
$635,000
3470 Maveric Road
Nanaimo, BC
3 bd 3 ba 1,584 sq ft Lot 1,742 sq ft
Courtesy of Real Broker
1460 Sherwood Drive
$1,599,999
1460 Sherwood Drive
Nanaimo, BC
8 bd 7 ba 5,150 sq ft Lot 10,000 sq ft
Courtesy of Sutton Group-West Coast Realty (Nan)
2079 Bay Street
$849,800
2079 Bay Street
Nanaimo, BC
5 bd 3 ba 1,911 sq ft Lot 6,460 sq ft
Courtesy of 460 Realty Inc. (NA)
2535 Battersea Road
$1,395,000
2535 Battersea Road
Nanaimo, BC
4 bd 2 ba 1,486 sq ft Lot 7,392 sq ft
Courtesy of REMAX Professionals (NA)
341 Sunny Drive
$1,149,000
341 Sunny Drive
Nanaimo, BC
5 bd 4 ba 2,791 sq ft Lot 7,092 sq ft
Courtesy of eXp Realty (NA)
3071 Shamrock Place
$769,900
3071 Shamrock Place
Nanaimo, BC
4 bd 2 ba 2,128 sq ft Lot 9,850 sq ft
Courtesy of 460 Realty Inc. (NA)
473 Nottingham Drive
$1,099,999
473 Nottingham Drive
Nanaimo, BC
5 bd 4 ba 3,032 sq ft Lot 0.3 acres
Courtesy of Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty (NanIsHwyN)
2600 Randle Road
$2,750,000
2600 Randle Road
Nanaimo, BC
4 bd 3 ba 3,479 sq ft Lot 8,712 sq ft
Courtesy of 460 Realty Inc. (NA)
122 Bray Road
$1,099,995
122 Bray Road
Nanaimo, BC
3 bd 3 ba 2,520 sq ft Lot 4,978 sq ft
Courtesy of Royal LePage Island Living (PK)
1572 Knight Court Road
$999,000
1572 Knight Court Road
Nanaimo, BC
3 bd 3 ba 2,970 sq ft Lot 0.3 acres
Courtesy of Sutton Group-West Coast Realty (Nan)
502 Nottingham Drive
$1,055,000
502 Nottingham Drive
Nanaimo, BC
4 bd 4 ba 3,413 sq ft Lot 6,534 sq ft
Courtesy of Sutton Group-West Coast Realty (Nan)
191 Cilaire Drive
$2,498,000
191 Cilaire Drive
Nanaimo, BC
5 bd 5 ba 4,431 sq ft Lot 0.65 acres
Courtesy of Sutton Group-West Coast Realty (Nan)
160 San Frisco Way
$869,900
160 San Frisco Way
Nanaimo, BC
4 bd 3 ba 1,899 sq ft Lot 8,339 sq ft
Courtesy of The Agency
1501 Argyle Avenue
$2,074,900
1501 Argyle Avenue
Nanaimo, BC
6 bd 4 ba 3,268 sq ft Lot 0.35 acres
Courtesy of 460 Realty Inc. (NA)
1630 Loat St
$499,900
1630 Loat St
Nanaimo, BC
- bd - ba 7,200 sq ft Lot 7,200 sq ft
Courtesy of William Wright Commercial Real Estate Services
3796 Departure Bay Road
$575,000
3796 Departure Bay Road
Nanaimo, BC
1 bd 1 ba 574 sq ft Lot 7,500 sq ft
Courtesy of Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty (NanIsHwyN)
339 Nottingham Drive
$859,000
339 Nottingham Drive
Nanaimo, BC
3 bd 3 ba 1,800 sq ft Lot 8,051 sq ft
Courtesy of REMAX Professionals (NA)
105 1220 Manzanita Place
$1,095,000
105 1220 Manzanita Place
Nanaimo, BC
4 bd 3 ba 2,535 sq ft Lot 0.83 acres
Courtesy of Sutton Group-West Coast Realty (Nan)
2535 Holyrood Drive
$850,000
2535 Holyrood Drive
Nanaimo, BC
4 bd 2 ba 2,875 sq ft Lot 0.28 acres
Courtesy of Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty (NanIsHwyN)

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Condos

133Condos for sale

Condos for sale in Nanaimo start around $165K, with a median ask near $425K. Close to half of listings are in the Old City and Central Nanaimo, with others in Uplands, North Nanaimo and Brechin Hill. A typical condo is a 2-bedroom of roughly 940 sq ft, and prices shift from one area to the next, so compare neighbourhoods as you browse.

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Condos worth a closer look

133Condos for sale

Condos for sale in Nanaimo start around $165K, with a median ask near $425K, so there is a wide spread to work through. Most listings are in the Old City, Central Nanaimo and Uplands, and a typical one is a two-bedroom unit built in the mid-2000s. Filter by area to see where your budget goes furthest.

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Land

113Lots for sale

Lots and land for sale in Nanaimo currently ask from about $125K to $3.7M, and the typical lot is around 0.2 acres. About half of the listings are in University District, North Nanaimo and South Nanaimo, with the rest spread across Cedar, Hammond Bay and other parts of the city. Most are priced at the lower end, so narrowing by area first saves time.

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Land Nanaimo Real Estate

113Lots for sale

Lots and land in Nanaimo currently range from about $125K to $3.7M, with a median ask near $465K. Listings are most concentrated in University District and North Nanaimo, and the typical lot is about 0.2 acres. Expect a mix of lower-priced building lots and a smaller number of high-end parcels.

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Townhomes in Nanaimo Easy Living.

88Townhomes for sale

Townhomes for sale in Nanaimo are asking from about $340K to $2.8M, though most land in the middle of that range. North Nanaimo has the largest share of listings, followed by South and Central Nanaimo. A typical townhome has three bedrooms and about 1,360 sq ft.

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Townhomes

88Townhomes for sale

Townhomes for sale in Nanaimo run from about $340K to $2.8M, with a median ask near $585K. Most listings fall in the mid-price range, and North Nanaimo has the largest share of them. A typical townhome here has three bedrooms.

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Area Guide

Departure Bay homes for sale — active MLS listings

Departure Bay is built around its beach. The neighbourhood wraps the bay of the same name — one of Nanaimo's best swimming spots — and the proximity to the water shapes both the lifestyle and the market. Homes on the upper streets catch views over the bay and the Gulf Islands beyond. Those at the water's edge are among the most sought-after addresses in the city.

It is a residential neighbourhood in the truest sense — quiet, established, and oriented around outdoor life rather than commercial activity. The Departure Bay ferry terminal connects foot passengers directly to Horseshoe Bay, which makes it a practical choice for buyers who commute to the Lower Mainland occasionally.

The mix of buyers here is wide: young families who want the beach, established professionals who want the views, and retirees who have earned the address. Inventory is limited because most people who live here do not want to leave.

Departure Bay is one of Nanaimo's most sought-after residential addresses. The beach, the views, and the ferry connection to the mainland combine to create a neighbourhood that consistently outperforms the broader Nanaimo market in terms of demand and price stability. The ferry terminal connects directly to Horseshoe Bay, which makes the neighbourhood a practical choice for buyers who maintain ties to the Lower Mainland.

The ability to walk or cycle to the ferry, combined with the beach and the residential quiet of the streets above it, creates a lifestyle combination that is genuinely rare at any price point in coastal BC. Homes near the water have appreciated steadily over time.

For buyers considering Departure Bay, inventory constraints are the primary challenge. The neighbourhood is established and most owners are not motivated to sell. When properties do come to market they tend to attract interest quickly and from multiple directions. Buyers who have identified Departure Bay as their target area are best served by being prepared to act and by working with an agent who knows when listings are coming before they appear publicly.

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Local market snapshot

Nanaimo market at a glance

Median pricing sits at $925k across current listings. Within 2km you'll find 25 schools 158 parks 279 transit stops. Inventory and pricing can shift quickly | check back regularly for new listings.

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