• Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre - Start your day with a picturesque ferry ride across the Salish Sea. As you admire the views of the Gulf Islands and the majestic Coast Mountains, your guide will outline the day’s itinerary and invite you to participate in a gentle breathwork session. This calming practice will help you connect with the sea’s natural rhythm and set your intentions for the day. You’ll be encouraged to journal on a prompt that inspires reflection on what you hope to experience and learn during the journey.

Interpretive Focus: Discover the history and ecological significance of the Salish Sea, including its importance to Indigenous cultures and marine ecosystems in the area.

• Maffeo Sutton Park - Upon reaching Nanaimo, we’ll embark on a walk through the vibrant downtown, heading towards Maffeo Sutton Park, a cherished waterfront location. At the park, enjoy fresh coffee and the famous Nanaimo bar while taking in the breathtaking views of Protection Island and the harbor.

Your guide will commence our gathering with a land acknowledgment and intention-setting ritual to honor the land we traverse. Following this, a grounding practice will help you connect with yourself and the spirit of the land.

Interpretive Focus: Learn about Nanaimo’s Indigenous heritage, including the Snuneymuxw First Nation and their profound spiritual connection to the land and water. Explore how the town evolved from its Indigenous roots to a thriving port city.

• Harbourfront Walkway - Our exploration continues with a stroll along the Harbourfront Walkway, a scenic path offering not only stunning views but also insights into Nanaimo’s cultural landscape. As we pass public art installations and historical landmarks, your guide will share stories about Nanaimo’s coal-mining history, the sea’s role in the city’s development, and the ongoing preservation of Indigenous culture. Reflective prompts will encourage you to engage with the landscape and contemplate your personal connection to the environment.

Interpretive Focus: Discover Nanaimo’s transformation from a coal-mining town to a cultural hub and how art and history intersect along this beautiful waterfront. Discuss the role of art in public spaces and its impact on community identity.

• Bowen Park - Next, we’ll visit the serene Bowen Park, renowned for its ancient trees and peaceful riverside trails. Here, we’ll participate in a forest bathing session (Shinrin-yoku), mindfully immersing ourselves in the forest environment, allowing the sights, sounds, and smells of the trees to awaken our senses. After a silent walk, we’ll gather by the river for a group reflection, followed by an optional visit to a nearby café for tea or light refreshments.

Interpretive Focus: Learn about the ecological importance of Bowen Park and how it serves as a sanctuary for both people and wildlife. Reflect on the practice of forest bathing and its scientifically-backed benefits for mental and physical well-being.

• Buttertubs Marsh Park - We’ll then explore Buttertubs Marsh Park, a lush wetland teeming with birdlife. This is a place to experience nature’s sounds in their purest form. As we walk the boardwalks and shaded trails, your guide will lead a listening practice to help you tune into the subtle sounds of the land—bird calls, rustling leaves, and the gentle murmur of water. Afterwards, there will be time for quiet journaling or optional sharing in a group circle.

Interpretive Focus: Understand the significance of wetlands in supporting biodiversity and their role in flood control and carbon sequestration. Discuss the conservation efforts in place to preserve this vital habitat.

• Colliery Dam Park - We’ll arrive at Colliery Dam Park, a beautiful forested area, for a nourishing picnic lunch surrounded by nature. Before eating, we’ll engage in a gratitude practice to honor the earth’s abundance and the meal we’re about to enjoy. After lunch, guests can choose to find a peaceful spot for personal reflection or join a sharing circle to deepen connection and integrate the day’s experiences.

Interpretive Focus: Discover the history of Colliery Dam Park, from its origins as a coal mining area to its current role as a popular green space. Learn about the reclamation of industrial lands into protected natural spaces and the importance of green spaces in urban areas.

• Nanaimo - As we head back towards downtown Nanaimo, we’ll pause for a final journaling prompt and a moment of integration practice. This is an opportunity to reflect on the journey, share insights, and connect with the land and community one last time. We’ll conclude with a brief closing circle, where guests can share their thoughts, gratitude, or any final reflections before exploring the area or enjoying a final treat.

Interpretive Focus: Reflect on the journey’s themes of connection, mindfulness, and cultural learning, and discuss the role of reflection in personal growth and environmental stewardship.

• Nanaimo Port Authority - Marina Office - As the ferry takes us back to the mainland, you’ll have the chance to reflect on the journey’s experiences while enjoying the beauty of the changing sky and sea. Your guide will offer a guided visualization or a final reflection practice to help you integrate the day’s experiences and ground the wisdom of the land.

Interpretive Focus: Reflect on the journey across the Salish Sea, discussing the ocean as a lifeline that connects the diverse cultures and ecosystems of the region.

• Round trip ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo.
• Expert local guide, certified in wilderness first aid and interpretive guiding.
• Small group experiences (maximum 10-12 participants for comradery and intimacy).
• Holistic wellness activities (breathwork, meditation, journaling prompts).
• Guided walking meditation and reflection exercises.
• Interpretive storytelling and cultural education at each stop.
• Picnic-style lunch (locally sourced; dietary needs accommodated with advance notice).
• Welcome package of local souvenirs (includes journal and pen).
• Access to our library of online resources and exercises.
• Supportive group atmosphere with space for solo reflection and exploration.
• Snacks and refreshments.
• Rental equipment available upon request (trekking poles).
• Printed and digital wellness reflection guide.

• Transportation to/from the meeting point in Vancouver.
• Gratuities for your guide (optional but encouraged).
• Personal expenses (souvenirs, additional snacks/refreshments not specified in the itinerary).
• Accommodation not included for day tours.

Experience Nanaimo in a unique way—through a mindful, heart-centered walking tour designed to reconnect you with the land, its stories, and yourself. This gentle day tour combines coastal beauty, local culture, and guided wellness practices as participants explore one of Vancouver Island’s most charming seaside cities.

From scenic waterfront paths to tranquil forest trails, each step encourages presence and reflection. Along the journey, the guide will lead grounding rituals, breathwork, storytelling, and moments of stillness to deepen your connection to the place. Discover Nanaimo’s Indigenous heritage, ecological richness, and the evolving spirit of this coastal community—all while tuning in to your own pace and perspective.

This experience is ideal for travelers seeking meaning in movement, peace in nature, and a slower, more soulful way to explore.

• Terrain includes sidewalks, paved seawalls, boardwalks, and light forest trails; surfaces may be uneven in some areas.
• Seating breaks and reflection pauses are built into the day.
• Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice for included snacks and meals.
• Not wheelchair accessible.
• This is a moderate full-day walking tour covering approximately 15 km (9.3 miles); participants should be comfortable walking and standing for extended periods.
• Participants are encouraged to bring sun protection, water, and appropriate footwear.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.