Nanaimo Hikes & Walks
Cable Bay Trail
This trail is in Cedar, about 15 minutes' drive from downtown Nanaimo. It's a weird hike, because its featured destination is below the trailhead. The trail drops down a gentle, wide trail to a pretty seashore from which you'll see Mudge Island, Gabriola Island, and if you're a little bit lucky, sea lions. If you're very lucky, you'll see orcas.
I remember hiking this 2 km trail at night one time; for some reason, none of us had brought lights, so the walk back up the trail was...interesting. Fun, really.
Diving Spots
There are least two good spots near the Cable Bay trail to launch a dive from. You can turn right off of the main trail, shortly after the power lines, onto a logging road and follow it down to the water. Or you can skip the Cable Bay Trail and just continue past it to the end of Barnes Rd.
Directions to Cable Bay Trail
Driving south from Nanaimo, you will encounter an intersection at Maki Rd/Tenth St., where Southgate Mall is, which includes a Food Country supermarket and a Smitty's. Keep on to the next intersection, and take the left-hand turn to Cedar. Continue until you pass over the Nanaimo River via a steel bridge, and turn right immediately after. Once in Cedar, watch for the Millway Store and turn left onto Holden Corso Road. It turns into Barnes Rd. Watch for Cedar Heights Crescent on the left. The trailhead is there.