Neck Point is another spectacular Nanaimo ocean front park that sits just north of Pipers Lagoon. Like it’s neighbouring park it offers stunning views of the Strait of Georgia, the coastal mountains and Mount Baker in Washington State. The park is named after the gravel bar that connects to a rocky head out in the ocean.
It’s full of photographic opportunities, a bird watchers paradise and a popular diving spot. Ocean wildlife is abundant, sea lions and otters can be spotted playing in the water and sometimes Orca whales and dolphin pods pass by.
There are 36 acres of rocky bluffs, small coves, tidal pools and pebble and sandy beaches to explore. A trail system of boardwalks and lookouts run along the shoreline and into the forest of Gary Oaks and Arbutus trees.
Most of the trails consist of an easy grade of gravel with some stairs and boardwalks. It’s well worth taking the trail to Keel Cove, but it is a section with some steep sets of stairs.
The park is accessible and worth visiting year round. In the spring there is an abundance of wildflowers and in the fall the trees have colorful leaves.
Directions to Neck Point Park: Turn off Hammond Bay Road onto Morningside Drive and continue past the Elementary School to the parking lot.
Tips for visiting Neck Point Park
– if it’s a no jacket day elsewhere you may still need a light one here, the open sections of trail along the water can be windy
-there is a toilet facility at the parking lot
-dogs are allowed on leash
-sunset beach is great for evening photography, otherwise most of the views face east making it perfect for morning shots
– See if you can find the secret elf door in the park. I don’t know how long it has been there or who placed it, but it sure is cute! I didn’t post a photo of the contents to keep the mystery, but there are some various trinkets inside.
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