With a stay at Departure Bay Motel, you'll be centrally located in Nanaimo, within a 5-minute drive of Departure Bay Ferry Terminal and Beach Estates Park. .This motel is 11.7 mi (18.9 km) from Duke Point Ferry Terminal and 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park.
Departure Bay Ferry Terminal - 12 min walk - 0.6 miles
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital - 13 min walk - 0.7 miles
Departure Bay Beach - 3 min drive - 1.4 miles
Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park - 5 min drive - 0.8 miles
Getting around
Nanaimo, BC (ZNA-Nanaimo Harbour Water Aerodrome) - 6 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 4 min drive
Drip Coffee | Social - 15 min walk
McDonald's - 15 min walk
Danpung Momiji - 3 min drive
Tim Hortons - 4 min walk
About this property
Departure Bay Motel
Departure Bay Motel offers 22 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and complimentary toiletries. Accommodations offer separate sitting areas. LCD televisions come with premium cable channels.
Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access (speed: 25+ Mbps).
Make yourself at home in one of the 22 air-conditioned rooms featuring LCD televisions. LED televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and toothbrushes and toothpaste. Conveniences include separate sitting areas and coffee/tea makers.
Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, a picnic area, and a vending machine.
Featured amenities include laundry facilities and a vending machine. Free self parking is available onsite.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
In-room WiFi speed: 25+ Mbps
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free uncovered self parking on site
Family friendly
Laundry facilities
Conveniences
Laundry facilities
Limited-hour front desk
Vending machine
Outdoors
Picnic area
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Front entrance ramp
No elevator
Tile flooring in room
Well-lit path to entrance
More
Designated smoking areas
Room amenities
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Private bathroom
Shampoo
Shower/bathtub combination
Soap
Toilet paper
Toothbrush and toothpaste (on request)
Towels provided
Entertainment
LED TV with premium cable channels
Food and drink
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Electric kettle
More
Air conditioning
Heating
Laptop workspace
Separate sitting area
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 19
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - midnight
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 11:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours)
Pets
Pets allowed for an extra charge of CAD 21.00 per pet, per day
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Property payment types
Important information
Fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:
A damage deposit of CAD 200 will be collected before check-in.
We have included all charges provided to us by the property.
Optional extras
Pet fee: CAD 21.00 per pet, per day
Service animals are exempt from fees
The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number 5031994
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
Property is also known as
Departure Bay Motel Motel
Departure Bay Motel Nanaimo
Departure Bay Motel Motel Nanaimo
Departure Bay Motel Reviews
Reviews
7.8
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 235 out of 595 reviews
10 - Excellent
235
Rating 8 - Good. 193 out of 595 reviews
8 - Good
193
Rating 6 - Okay. 80 out of 595 reviews
6 - Okay
80
Rating 4 - Poor. 42 out of 595 reviews
4 - Poor
42
Rating 2 - Terrible. 45 out of 595 reviews
2 - Terrible
45
8.0/10
Cleanliness
8.8/10
Staff & service
7.4/10
Amenities
7.4/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Brendan
Jan 14, 2026
Perfect and right where you need to be if you’re ferrying
Brendan
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
6/10 Okay
Heidi
Business traveler
Jan 14, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness
Beds were clean and comfortable, quick overnight place to rest our heads. There was a lot of night time activity in the adjacent rooms, but once I was asleep I didn’t hear anything. It was safe and convenient location very close to ferry. Price was great.
Heidi
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
6/10 Okay
ROSELIA, KENT
Traveled with family
Jan 13, 2026
Staff was nice. We were there for 3 nights. Bed are comfy. Not all rooms are renovated. We got one that wasn't. It smelled a little of smoke but that could be the people smoking outside the rooms. I suggest not staying more than one night. But if you are looking for a cheap stay, this motel works.
ROSELIA
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
8/10 Good
Corlis
Jan 13, 2026
Staff was friendly and helpful. One wall in the bathroom was dirty. Something black was on the sheets. Bed was comfortable.
They were okay there was alot hoodlums hanging out at night which made me very nervous to walk my dog as they were asking me how long ive been staying here and questions that made me think why whats gonna happen and the place was filthy gross to be honest tge sheets had blood on them and they didnt even try to huge the stain right at the top of the bed the stove wiw nasty the sofa bed was impossible to pull out and wdbe i did it was full of dirt and curly hair. I dont suggest this place
Quick check in, clean room. The kitchenette is well equipped for longer stays. The mattress had a lot of give to it. You can definitely hear the people in the room above you. Overall it was a good stay, lots to do in the area.
Parking was easy
There is a kitchen, stove, pots, cutlery, fridge in the remodelled room that we stayed.
Staff was very friendly, Paul was very helpful in giving us tips for what to see in the area.
Book this with a change of flights at the Nanaimo airport last minute the staff was more than an accommodating and helpful made me feel right at home or stay was short, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. There's aBook this with a change of flights at the Nanaimo airport last minute the staff was more than a accommodating and helpful made me feel right at home or stay was short, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. There's a park next-door for my daughter that is six to play at and food wasn't afar drive down the road to find something that we liked
Upon check-in through Expedia booking was a little confusing, but the front desk clerk was more than accommodating and super friendly and helpful unfortunately I don't remember his name, but he does live in Ukee part time which is where I am from and made my experience amazing I definitely will stay again the next time I need a place in Nanaimo
yes and no...staff was courteous but charged me a 150 damage deposit which l dont trust because of former apartment supervisors who take and steal it from you...room was in good condition, but there were potential formerly damages that couldve been used against me so l really had no peace of mind while staying there....but staff were courteous and friendy enough to return my deposit l had given them...
Timothy Peter
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
10/10 Excellent
Julia
Dec 24, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Amazing front desk staff. Very welcoming, friendly and efficient. Rooms are worn due to age but exceptionally clean.