Another great way to spend a afternoon out is by going to New Castle Island with friends or family. There is a bunch of things you can do on New Castle Island such as hiking, camping, and swimming on many of there beaches. The island has one of the nicest hiking trails that leads to one big lake, and a few swamps. One of the big things you have to do to get to New Castle Island is by a boat that comes only to the bay of Maffeo Sutton Park in downtown Nanaimo.
They will have the complete list of times and return boats as well. The camp ground is open year round and has many different things to offer. The ferry cost is included into the site given as well. one of many trails is the Shoreline Trail. This 7.5 km trail goes around Newcastle Island and can be walked in about 2.5 hours if you walk in a nice pace that have beautiful groves of Douglas Fir, Garry Oak and Arbutus trees. The forest is habitat to a number of animals including various birds, deer.
They have a specific time schedule for the ferries so here is the link to find a ferry and the times you can catch them http://www.newcastleisland.ca/index.php?page=14
