Located on Vancouver Island at 4911′N 12359′W, Nanaimo is about 55 km west of Vancouver, separated by the Strait of Georgia, but directly linked to Vancouver via BC Ferries. By virtue of its proximity to Vancouver, Nanaimo is the gateway to many other destinations both on the island Tofino, Comox Valley, Port Alberni, Rathtrevor Provincial Park and off its coast Newcastle Island, Gabriola Island, Valdes Island, and many other of the Gulf Islands.