The ocean gets the attention here, but the lakes are what most people actually swim in. There are five worth knowing within the city or a short drive of it, and the freshwater warms up weeks ahead of the sea.

What surprises people arriving from a larger city is how close they are. Westwood Lake sits at the base of Mount Benson with a beach and a loop trail, and it is a ten minute drive from most of the city.

Here is what each one is like and who it suits.

What is Westwood Lake like?

Westwood is the main one, and the one most locals mean when they say they are going to the lake. It has two south-facing beaches with mountain views behind them, swimming platforms out in the water, washrooms, and a boat launch for non-powered craft.

The gas motor ban is the thing that makes it. No wake, no engine noise, so the water stays calm and quiet even on a busy August afternoon. Paddlers, swimmers, and anglers share it without getting in each other's way. It is stocked with rainbow trout, and there are cutthroat and smallmouth bass in it as well.

Sitting a little higher than the other lakes in town, it can ice over in a cold snap, though its size and depth mean it holds off longer than you would expect.

Which Nanaimo lake is warmest for swimming?

Long Lake and Brannen Lake both have a reputation for warm water, and both have proper beaches. Long Lake has a sandy beach with swim floats and allows power boating, which makes it the liveliest of the lakes and the one to pick or avoid depending on what you want out of the afternoon. Brannen Lake has a beach and boat launch on the northwest side of the city and swims warm through the summer.

All of the freshwater around here warms up considerably faster than the ocean, which is why plenty of people swim in the lakes through June while the ocean beaches are still bracing.

Colliery Dam Park, the one in the middle of town

Colliery Dam is two small lakes in a forested park in south Nanaimo, about five minutes from downtown. It is a rare piece of the city's coal-mining history still doing something useful, since both lakes are reservoirs behind historic dams.

An easy loop trail links the two lakes, crossing wooden bridges through mature forest. The lower lake has the swimming, with an accessible beach and a wheelchair mat, though there are no lifeguards. There is an off-leash dog area at the upper lake, and dogs are kept off the beach through the summer months. A tunnel under the Nanaimo Parkway leads to a waterfall called Granny Falls, which plenty of people who have lived here for years still have not found.

The quieter freshwater

  • Morrell Nature Sanctuary. A teaching forest south of the city with a lake at the centre of it and a considerable network of trails through Douglas fir and western red cedar. It is a walking and wildlife place rather than a swimming one.
  • The Nanaimo River. Not a lake, but where locals go on the hottest days. Warm water, deep pools, and rock to lie on. It is a river, so conditions change with the season and it is worth knowing a spot before you go.
  • Buttertubs Marsh. Not for swimming at all. A bird sanctuary with a level loop and a viewing tower, right inside the city, and one of the better places to see how much wildlife lives inside the city limits.

Is the lake water safe to swim in?

The City of Nanaimo samples the popular swimming beaches through the summer and publishes the results weekly, covering both the lakes and the ocean beaches. If a sample comes back poor, the beach gets closed until it clears.

Testing is seasonal, so it runs through the summer rather than year round. It is worth a look at the current week's report before heading out with kids, particularly after a stretch of hot weather.

Which neighbourhoods sit closest to a lake

Being near the water changes how often you use it, and freshwater and saltwater pull toward different parts of the city.

  • Westwood and the Jingle Pot area. Closest to Westwood Lake and the trail networks running up toward Mount Benson.
  • Harewood and the south end. Colliery Dam sits right there, along with the Parkway trail connections.
  • The north end, around Long Lake. Puts you between Long Lake and the ocean beaches, which is a rare combination.

To compare the areas on pace, feel, and who each one suits, see the Nanaimo Neighbourhood Guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Westwood Lake?

Yes. Westwood Lake has two south-facing beaches, swimming platforms out in the water, washrooms, and a boat launch for non-powered craft. A ban on gas motors keeps the water calm and quiet, which is part of why it is the most used lake in the city.

Which lake near Nanaimo is warmest?

Long Lake and Brannen Lake both have a reputation for warm water and both have beaches. Long Lake allows power boating and has swim floats, which makes it the busiest of the lakes. All of the freshwater here warms up considerably faster than the ocean.

How many lakes are there in Nanaimo?

There are several within the city or a short drive of it. The main ones are Westwood Lake, Long Lake, Brannen Lake, the two small lakes at Colliery Dam Park, and Morrell Lake in the Morrell Nature Sanctuary. Westwood is the most used.

Is Colliery Dam Park good for swimming?

Yes, at the lower lake, which has an accessible beach with a wheelchair mat. There are no lifeguards. The park is two small lakes in forest about five minutes from downtown, linked by an easy loop trail, with an off-leash dog area at the upper lake.

Is the water tested for swimming in Nanaimo?

Yes. The City of Nanaimo samples popular swimming beaches through the summer, covering both lakes and ocean beaches, and publishes the results weekly. If a sample comes back poor the beach is closed until it clears. Testing is seasonal rather than year round.

Getting to know the area

Which lake becomes your lake usually comes down to which side of the city you land on. The Moving to Nanaimo hub covers what living here is like across the board, the Nanaimo Neighbourhood Guide walks through the areas in detail, and you can book a quick call with Travis or Kiel to talk it through.