A calm lake with boats, a forested shoreline, and distant mountains.

Departure Bay Hotels, Nanaimo

  • Change your mind

    Book hotels with free cancellation

  • Treat yourself

    Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
    Sign in

  • Be picky

    Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

This weekend
7 Aug - 9 Aug
Next weekend
14 Aug - 16 Aug

Filter by

Property class

Guest rating

Selecting then applying a filter from this group will update the results on a new page

Our top choices for Departure Bay hotels

Reception

1. Departure Bay Motel

Departure Bay Motel
2.0 star property
Central Nanaimo, 1.7 km from Departure Bay
7.8 out of 10, Good, (708 reviews)
"Fantastic staff, great little motel."
Canada
Amy
The price is AU$167
includes taxes & fees
3 Sept - 4 Sept
Departure Bay Motel
Exterior

2. Ramada by Wyndham Nanaimo

Ramada by Wyndham Nanaimo
2.5 star property
Central Nanaimo, 3.6 km from Departure Bay
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (1,012 reviews)
"Good location and a nice place to stay"
Canada
Patrick
The price is AU$212
includes taxes & fees
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Ramada by Wyndham Nanaimo
Indoor spa tub

3. Inn On Long Lake

Inn On Long Lake
2.0 star property
3.8 km from Departure Bay
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,088 reviews)
"Great place to stay"
Canada
Kevin
The price is AU$232
includes taxes & fees
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Inn On Long Lake
Cottage | Living area

4. Buccaneer Inn

Buccaneer Inn
2.5 star property
Central Nanaimo, 2.7 km from Departure Bay
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (975 reviews)
"Great room, great staff"
United States
drew
The price is AU$211
includes taxes & fees
9 Aug - 10 Aug
Buccaneer Inn
Exterior

5. The Grand Hotel Nanaimo

The Grand Hotel Nanaimo
3.0 star property
3.8 km from Departure Bay
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (1,006 reviews)
"Great food and service in restaurant."
Canada
Qiang
The price is AU$204
includes taxes & fees
3 Sept - 4 Sept
The Grand Hotel Nanaimo
Exterior

6. Coast Bastion Hotel

Coast Bastion Hotel
3.5 star property
Downtown Nanaimo, 4.9 km from Departure Bay
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (1,697 reviews)
"It was an excellent stay"
Canada
Janet
The price is AU$235
includes taxes & fees
23 Aug - 24 Aug
Coast Bastion Hotel
View from property

7. Gibralter Rock Ocean View B&B

Gibralter Rock Ocean View B&B
2.5 star property
2.7 km from Departure Bay
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (338 reviews)
"Beautiful view, lovely room and friendly host."
Canada
Anette
The price is AU$202
includes taxes & fees
31 Aug - 1 Sept
Gibralter Rock Ocean View B&B
Exterior

8. Courtyard By Marriott Nanaimo

Courtyard By Marriott Nanaimo
3.0 star property
Downtown Nanaimo, 5.1 km from Departure Bay
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,306 reviews)
"Wonderful, clean, and relaxing stay!"
Canada
Joel
The price is AU$216
includes taxes & fees
23 Aug - 24 Aug
Courtyard By Marriott Nanaimo
Sauna

9. Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo

Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo
2.0 star property
Central Nanaimo, 4 km from Departure Bay
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (1,394 reviews)
"Was a pretty fun stay definitely would recommend"
Canada
angus
The price is AU$183
includes taxes & fees
30 Aug - 31 Aug
Travelodge by Wyndham Nanaimo
BBQ/picnic Area

10. The Spot

The Spot
2.0 star property
Central Nanaimo, 3 km from Departure Bay
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (809 reviews)
"Good place to stay for a couple of nights. Convenient (central) location."
Canada
John
The price is AU$211
includes taxes & fees
5 Aug - 6 Aug
The Spot
View from property

11. Best Western Dorchester Hotel

Best Western Dorchester Hotel
2.5 star property
Downtown Nanaimo, 4.8 km from Departure Bay
8.4 out of 10, Very good, (1,009 reviews)
"Convenient to central nanaimo and waterfront."
Canada
Bruce
The price is AU$223
includes taxes & fees
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Best Western Dorchester Hotel
Front of property

12. Quality Inn

Quality Inn
2.5 star property
5.1 km from Departure Bay
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (1,002 reviews)
"Great stay - simple, clean, new."
Canada
Chelsea Lee
The price is AU$193
includes taxes & fees
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Quality Inn
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Kitchenette (Deluxe)

13. The Bluebird Motel

The Bluebird Motel
2.0 star property
Central Nanaimo, 3 km from Departure Bay
7.0 out of 10, Good, (803 reviews)
"Good stay for one night and staff were able to accommodate my late arrival from the ferry"
Canada
Geoffrey
The price is AU$158
includes taxes & fees
18 Aug - 19 Aug
The Bluebird Motel
Exterior

14. Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo

Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo
2.5 star property
6.8 km from Departure Bay
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (1,542 reviews)
"Great comfortable and convenient stay"
Canada
Maninder
The price is AU$200
includes taxes & fees
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Days Inn by Wyndham Nanaimo
Exterior

15. The Port-O-Call Inn & Suites

The Port-O-Call Inn & Suites
2.0 star property
Central Nanaimo, 3.4 km from Departure Bay
7.0 out of 10, Good, (931 reviews)
"Comfortable room and a convenient location."
United States
Danielle
The price is AU$150
includes taxes & fees
30 Aug - 31 Aug
The Port-O-Call Inn & Suites
Front of property

16. Harbour Light Motel

Harbour Light Motel
2.5 star property
5.8 km from Departure Bay
8.2 out of 10, Very good, (1,005 reviews)
"Great Location!"
Canada
Retha
The price is AU$176
includes taxes & fees
4 Aug - 5 Aug
Harbour Light Motel
Front of property

17. Diplomat Motel

Diplomat Motel
2.0 star property
6 km from Departure Bay
7.2 out of 10, Good, (534 reviews)
"Nice people and rooms clean"
Canada
Drew
The price is AU$152
includes taxes & fees
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Diplomat Motel
Exterior

18. Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oyster Bay

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oyster Bay
2.5 star property
22.7 km from Departure Bay
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (1,316 reviews)
"Amazing place to stay, my kids had fun!"
Canada
Cristina
The price is AU$244
includes taxes & fees
2 Sept - 3 Sept
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Oyster Bay
Restaurant

19. Arbutus Grove Motel

Arbutus Grove Motel
2.5 star property
23.9 km from Departure Bay
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (239 reviews)
"We had everything we needed for a great stay."
Canada
Jennifer
The price is AU$246
includes taxes & fees
3 Sept - 4 Sept
Arbutus Grove Motel
Outdoor spa tub

20. Pacific Shores Resort & Spa

Pacific Shores Resort & Spa
3.5 star property
22.2 km from Departure Bay
8.0 out of 10, Very good, (812 reviews)
"Very relaxing place with good rooms"
United States
Predrag
The price is AU$245
includes taxes & fees
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Pacific Shores Resort & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
View all properties

Our guide on where to stay in Departure Bay

Find the best Departure Bay areas for the activities you enjoy most.

Central Nanaimo

Though Central Nanaimo may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Departure Bay Ferry Terminal and Maffeo Sutton Park.

Downtown Nanaimo

If you're spending some time in Downtown Nanaimo, Bastion and Vancouver Island Military Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Stephenson Point

While Stephenson Point may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Departure Bay Beach and Departure Bay Ferry Terminal.

Top Departure Bay Hotel Reviews

Recent Reviews in Departure Bay

Ramada by Wyndham Nanaimo

Ramada by Wyndham Nanaimo

10/10 Excellent
"We had a great experience here - the front desk staff were super helpful and very pleasant and the room was spacious and clean. The location was great - but there was traffic noise at all hours. Possibly the rooms facing the back of the hotel would be quieter."
Denise 3-night trip
Posted 1 hour ago
Ramada by Wyndham Nanaimo

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go to Departure Bay?
The best time to visit Departure Bay is from late spring to early autumn, specifically between May and October, when the weather is at its finest.

During these months, you'll experience consistently pleasant temperatures, ideal for enjoying the outdoors and the stunning natural beauty of the area. The days are longer, offering more daylight for exploring the coastlines and local attractions around Nanaimo.

For those looking to enjoy water activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply relaxing by the sea, July and August offer the warmest water temperatures and the most sunshine. This period is also great for taking advantage of the ferry services to nearby islands or exploring the regional parks.

If you prefer a quieter experience with fewer crowds, late May to June or September to early October are excellent choices. The weather remains agreeable, and you can still partake in most activities without the peak season bustle.
Can I cancel my hotel reservation on Expedia?
Many Expedia hotel reservations are refundable, provided that you cancel before the hotel's cancellation deadline − this is often within 24 to 48 hours of your scheduled arrival. If you have a non-refundable booking, it might still be possible to receive a refund if you cancel it within 24 hours of booking. Be sure to check your booking confirmation for the exact cancellation policy. For maximum flexibility, use our 'Fully refundable property' filter during your search to find the right Departure Bay hotel for you.
How can I save on a hotel booking in Departure Bay with Expedia?
One Key™—Expedia's free travel rewards program—gives you instant access to discounts with Member Prices on Departure Bay hotels. Plus, you'll earn OneKeyCash™* on eligible bookings to use on future trips. Booking an Expedia hotel and flight package is another great way to save, where bundling can result in significant savings. *Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.
How much is the nightly rate for a hotel in Departure Bay?
Hotel prices in Departure Bay often vary, but you can find a great deal on Expedia. Different factors affect nightly hotel rates, such as the time of year or the days of the week you want to book. To find the best deals for your stay, be flexible with your dates and sort search results by 'Price: low to high' for our cheapest rates.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia