Houses for Sale in Departure Bay, BC
Search all Departure Bay houses for sale and real estate listings below. Departure Bay is a neighbourhood in Nanaimo, BC. Departure Bay is home to several parks and Nanaimo Golf Club, offering an abundance of green space. Not to mention the Departure Bay Ferries Terminal, which provides convenient access to the mainland.
Real estate options in Departure Bay come in a range of styles. The neighbourhood was mainly developed in the 1960s and 1970s, and you’ll find large family homes built during this period in the Hammond Bay Road area. These older homes often feature potential for real estate investors to renovate; the hilltop location and extensive views make these homes great options for vacation properties. To request up-to-date information about properties for sale in Departure Bay, or to arrange a private showing, contact your Nanaimo real estate experts today!
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Real Estate in Departure Bay
In 2022, Departure Bay saw a strong real estate market with the sale of 94 single-family homes. Based on the statistics provided by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB), the average list price for these homes was $917,450, while the average sale price amounted to $935,700. On average, homes in Departure Bay sold at an impressive 102% of their listed price, indicating high demand and competitiveness in the market. The average days on the market for homes in Departure Bay was 22 days.
The area of Departure Bay near Sugarloaf Mountain Park features some of Nanaimo’s more luxurious newly-built homes. Custom homes situated at relatively high elevations often offer extensive patios and large windows, taking advantage of some of the most scenic views available in any neighbourhood on Vancouver Island. Homes in this exclusive neighbourhood don’t come cheap and offer a high standard of living in a quiet area and filled with the possibility for adventure.
Real estate investors interested in acquiring oceanfront property will find intriguing options in the area near Departure Bay Beach, along Departure Bay Road and Bay Street. Large, affordable duplex, triplexes, and fourplexes built in the 1970s and 1980s could be interesting investment options for those looking for rental properties. The proximity of these properties to the beach, the ferry, and Downtown Nanaimo give them excellent potential as vacation rentals or BnBs, as Departure Bay is one of Nanaimo’s more popular neighbourhoods for tourism. Smaller condo units near the beach are also popular destinations for retirees and young professionals.
In the more northern area of Departure Bay—in the direction of the Hammond Bay neighbourhood—there are robust undeveloped land options. Undeveloped lots in this area often feature tall hemlock and fir trees. They are surrounded by lakes and hiking trails, positioning them as ideal spots to build a custom home in a peaceful forested area.
About Departure Bay, Nanaimo, BC
When people think about living in Nanaimo, they think of an idyllic seaside lifestyle featuring beautiful Strait of Georgia views, the Coastal Mountains, and the Gulf Islands. The quintessential Nanaimo neighbourhood of this sort is Departure Bay, a quiet oceanfront community in a scenic harbour area. The combination of a laid-back nautical atmosphere with convenient transportation options makes Departure Bay an ideal destination, whether to work, play, or invest.
Departure Bay is situated along British Columbia Highway 1, which connects it easily to Victoria, around an hour and a half south of Nanaimo by car. Departure Bay is also one of Vancouver Island’s main ferry terminals. Technically, the Departure Bay ferry terminal is located in the Brechin Hill neighbourhood, but the Departure Bay neighborhood’s proximity to the ferry remains a significant draw. From Departure Bay, there are frequent sailings to the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal in West Vancouver—around an hour and forty-minute trip filled with beautiful views. Heading north from Departure Bay, it’s just over half an hour to the sleepy coastal communities that make up Lighthouse Country.
Departure Bay is surrounded by many of Nanaimo’s best parks and natural attractions. Departure Bay Beach is a beautiful spot, featuring sandy beach areas that are great for sunbathing and swimming in the warmer months; it’s also a popular launching point for kayakers and canoers to paddle along the coastline. Other popular parks near Departure Bay include Kinsmen Park, Sugarloaf Mountain Park, and Woodstream Park. Departure Bay is one of Nanaimo’s most ideal neighbourhoods for those looking for a peaceful, scenic area to call home.
Things to Do in Departure Bay
Enjoy the Outdoors
Residents of Departure Bay and visitors tend to gravitate towards the shores for outdoor recreation. And for a good reason—the Departure Bay neighbourhood is home to a nearly endless array of beaches and waterfront parks in a variety of styles. Whether you’re looking to spend a summer day on a sandy beach or to explore a rugged coastline during a storm, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for in Departure Bay. One of Departure Bay’s most popular waterfront parks is Neck Point Park—a quick and scenic ten-minute drive north of Departure Bay along Hammond Bay Road. Neck Point Park has an interconnected trail system that offers vast hikes, viewpoints to take in the rugged coastline, and plenty of wildlife. Particularly at sunrise and sunset, Neck Point Park is a serene haven, and it’s hard to believe it’s located so near a city with a population of nearly 100,000 residents.
Visit Newcastle Island
One of the island landmasses you’ll often see in Departure Bay is Newcastle Island—a small, tree-covered island bordered by plenty of sandy beaches. The trip to Newcastle Island from Departure Bay is quick and only costs $10 for a return trip for adults. The ferry travels from Maffeo Sutton Park to the dock on Newcastle Island. On Newcastle Island, there’s a waterfront camping area, plenty of scenic trails, in addition to cultural opportunities that celebrate the history of the Snuneymuxw people.
Explore Nanaimo Museum
Slightly to the south of Departure Bay—an easy fifteen-minute bike ride—you’ll find the Nanaimo Museum. The Nanaimo Museum is a great jumping-off point for learning about and engaging with the city’s rich history. You’ll find permanent exhibits that illustrate the area’s mining history, artworks and artifacts produced by the Snuneymuxw First Nation, and explanations about the city’s quirky traditions, including the annual World Championship Bathtub Race.
