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 9 Townhomes Open Explorer
9 Townhomes for sale Active MLS listings
$850,000 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.

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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 10% 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

9 homes

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3346 Edgewood Drive
$809,900
3346 Edgewood Drive
Nanaimo, BC
2 bd 3 ba 1,924 sq ft
Courtesy of Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty LD
3026 Waterstone Way
$979,900
3026 Waterstone Way
Nanaimo, BC
3 bd 3 ba 2,980 sq ft Lot 2,847 sq ft
Courtesy of Stonehaus Realty Corp.
3255 Folkestone Drive
$674,900
3255 Folkestone Drive
Nanaimo, BC
2 bd 3 ba 1,954 sq ft Lot 4,576 sq ft
Courtesy of 460 Realty Inc. (NA)
3219 Point Place
$850,000
3219 Point Place
Nanaimo, BC
2 bd 3 ba 2,218 sq ft Lot 2,218 sq ft
Courtesy of Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty (NanIsHwyN)
3385 Edgewood Drive
$698,000
3385 Edgewood Drive
Nanaimo, BC
3 bd 3 ba 2,178 sq ft Lot 1,911 sq ft
Courtesy of REMAX Professionals (NA)
3359 Edgewood Drive
$1,125,000
3359 Edgewood Drive
Nanaimo, BC
3 bd 3 ba 2,540 sq ft Lot 1,316 sq ft
Courtesy of REMAX Professionals (NA)

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Homes

361Homes for sale

Right now, most detached homes for sale in Nanaimo ask between $500K and $1M, with a median near $900K. North Nanaimo has the most listings, followed by South Nanaimo and Departure Bay. A typical home has four bedrooms and about 2,400 sq ft of living space, so there is room to spread out.

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Homes worth a closer look

361Homes for sale

Detached homes for sale in Nanaimo start around $260K and run to $15.9M, with a median ask near $900K. North Nanaimo has the most listings, and the typical home has four bedrooms on a mid-sized lot. Most asking prices sit in the middle of that range rather than at either end.

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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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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 $850k 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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