How could a floating Pub be bad??? Food was pubby, Drinks were pubby, atmosphere was....Floating! Definitely something to check out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gursharan Singh
I recently visited the Dinghy Dock Pub and honestly loved everything about it. The atmosphere is super relaxing with beautiful waterfront views, and the whole place has a unique charm you don’t see often. The staff were friendly, quick, and made the experience even better.
The food was delicious — fresh, well-seasoned, and served hot. Drinks were great too, and the overall vibe just made it a perfect spot to unwind.
Definitely worth the visit! I’ll be coming back for sure. Highly recommended. 🚤🍻🌊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bell
The Dinghy Dock is one of my favourite pubs to visit! My friends and I enjoy popping over for the great food and drinks! Such a fun atmosphere, great drink menu, and the staff are amazing and friendly! I recommend the prawn dock tacos! A treasure, just a 10 minute ferry ride from Nanaimo!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Giselle
Had such a great time at the dinghy dock, not only is it a great location but the staff are wonderful! Everyone is so kind and welcoming. The service was great and everyone loved everything we ordered to eat. Would recommend to anyone for a night out with friends!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dan Hendrix
I work Fridays and usually grab dinner here afterward. The staff actually talk to me. They care. That's not something you find everywhere, and when you're dealing with depression and anxiety, it makes a real difference. They know me, they're good to me, and I actually feel comfortable here.
This is why islanders love this place. It's about the people working here who give a damn. There's something about sitting on a floating pub, watching the water, having real conversations with staff who remember you. It's one of the few places I can just... be.
Now, to be fair – the food isn't going to blow you away. This isn't the Keg or Cactus Club, and yeah, it's on the pricey side. But that's honestly not why I keep coming back. I come back because the Dinghy Dock has become part of my routine in a way that genuinely helps. Sometimes that's worth way more than a better burger somewhere else.
If you're just looking for good food at a fair price, this probably isn't your spot. But if you understand what it means to have a place where people actually care, you'll get why this pub matters to the people who live here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Saja Jebur
I don’t even know where to start should I criticize the food the service or the atmosphere aka the dirty washroom that could’ve doubled as a horror movie set? The food was so bad I actually considered taking my shoes off and eating those instead. At least they were fresh!
And can someone explain to me how this frozen supermarket meal cost me $70? I could’ve made the same thing at home blindfolded, in slippers, while watching Netflix.
To top it off the server acted like I owed her rent for not tipping. She went from How’s everything? to You’re dead to me real quick.
Graeme
Waited a lo g time to go here. Was worth the wait. A wonderful short ferry trip direct from downtown nanaimo to the pub on protection island. Wonderful view and really great chowder!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Heidi
Dinghy Dock Pub is such a unique experience—you take a little ferry to get there, and once you arrive, the views are excellent. The décor has so much character and makes the place feel special. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and made me feel comfortable enough to chat (which is rare for me!). The food and drinks were spot on and didn’t disappoint. Highly recommend this one-of-a-kind spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danielle Beresford
Popped over on a spontaneous trip for a drink on the deck.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Peter Gill
Hands down the best place for seafood. The ferry ride over was nice, staff friendly, the suggestions for a hike. Will be back for sure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Halibut Fish and Chips, Fries, Salmon Burger
Such a cool experience to take in when visiting Nanaimo. You start by taking a short boat, ride over to protection Island and then find your spot at the pub either inside or on the deck. We had fish and chips and I enjoyed a fresh wild salmon burger which was absolutely amazing. They serve local beers which is always appreciated. The music was 10 out of 10 and the environment was exactly what you'd expect of an ocean side pub.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Brown
The burgers were expensive with miniscule offerings of wilty lettuce and mushy tomato and a stale bun. Good fries. The coleslaw served with fish and chips tasted old and off. Our kind server brought out food but didn't check in with us until after the meal was finished.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Christine Collins
One of my most favorite places to go.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Suresh Babu
Nice ambiance and good staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mick Day
The Chicken Parm was awful. The sauce was watery and the chicken nearly inedible. The Blackened salmon wasn't blackened, and the quinoa was watery. If you are going on the ferry just for a visit to the restaurant, it is not worth the $14 round-trip.
How could a floating Pub be bad??? Food was pubby, Drinks were pubby, atmosphere was....Floating! Definitely something to check out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I recently visited the Dinghy Dock Pub and honestly loved everything about it. The atmosphere is super relaxing with beautiful waterfront views, and the whole place has a unique charm you don’t see often. The staff were friendly, quick, and made the experience even better.
The food was delicious — fresh, well-seasoned, and served hot. Drinks were great too, and the overall vibe just made it a perfect spot to unwind.
Definitely worth the visit! I’ll be coming back for sure. Highly recommended. 🚤🍻🌊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Dinghy Dock is one of my favourite pubs to visit! My friends and I enjoy popping over for the great food and drinks! Such a fun atmosphere, great drink menu, and the staff are amazing and friendly! I recommend the prawn dock tacos! A treasure, just a 10 minute ferry ride from Nanaimo!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had such a great time at the dinghy dock, not only is it a great location but the staff are wonderful! Everyone is so kind and welcoming. The service was great and everyone loved everything we ordered to eat. Would recommend to anyone for a night out with friends!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I work Fridays and usually grab dinner here afterward. The staff actually talk to me. They care. That's not something you find everywhere, and when you're dealing with depression and anxiety, it makes a real difference. They know me, they're good to me, and I actually feel comfortable here.
This is why islanders love this place. It's about the people working here who give a damn. There's something about sitting on a floating pub, watching the water, having real conversations with staff who remember you. It's one of the few places I can just... be.
Now, to be fair – the food isn't going to blow you away. This isn't the Keg or Cactus Club, and yeah, it's on the pricey side. But that's honestly not why I keep coming back. I come back because the Dinghy Dock has become part of my routine in a way that genuinely helps. Sometimes that's worth way more than a better burger somewhere else.
If you're just looking for good food at a fair price, this probably isn't your spot. But if you understand what it means to have a place where people actually care, you'll get why this pub matters to the people who live here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
I don’t even know where to start should I criticize the food the service or the atmosphere aka the dirty washroom that could’ve doubled as a horror movie set? The food was so bad I actually considered taking my shoes off and eating those instead. At least they were fresh!
And can someone explain to me how this frozen supermarket meal cost me $70? I could’ve made the same thing at home blindfolded, in slippers, while watching Netflix.
To top it off the server acted like I owed her rent for not tipping. She went from How’s everything? to You’re dead to me real quick.
Waited a lo g time to go here. Was worth the wait. A wonderful short ferry trip direct from downtown nanaimo to the pub on protection island. Wonderful view and really great chowder!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dinghy Dock Pub is such a unique experience—you take a little ferry to get there, and once you arrive, the views are excellent. The décor has so much character and makes the place feel special. Our waitress was incredibly friendly and made me feel comfortable enough to chat (which is rare for me!). The food and drinks were spot on and didn’t disappoint. Highly recommend this one-of-a-kind spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Popped over on a spontaneous trip for a drink on the deck.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Hands down the best place for seafood. The ferry ride over was nice, staff friendly, the suggestions for a hike. Will be back for sure
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Halibut Fish and Chips, Fries, Salmon Burger
Restaurantji Recommends
Such a cool experience to take in when visiting Nanaimo. You start by taking a short boat, ride over to protection Island and then find your spot at the pub either inside or on the deck. We had fish and chips and I enjoyed a fresh wild salmon burger which was absolutely amazing. They serve local beers which is always appreciated. The music was 10 out of 10 and the environment was exactly what you'd expect of an ocean side pub.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The burgers were expensive with miniscule offerings of wilty lettuce and mushy tomato and a stale bun. Good fries. The coleslaw served with fish and chips tasted old and off. Our kind server brought out food but didn't check in with us until after the meal was finished.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
One of my most favorite places to go.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice ambiance and good staff
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Chicken Parm was awful. The sauce was watery and the chicken nearly inedible.
The Blackened salmon wasn't blackened, and the quinoa was watery.
If you are going on the ferry just for a visit to the restaurant, it is not worth the $14 round-trip.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
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