Ucluelet is a small town located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island surrounded on on side by rain forests and on the other by the wild Pacific Ocean. Ucluelet has a population of just under 2000 (yr. 2008), however due to the pristine environment, it is experiencing a fair amount of development. The area has been home to the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation people for hundreds of years. The name Ucluelet was derived from the Nuu-chah-nulth language and basically means "safe harbour". The Nuu-chah-nulth settlement is on the East side of Ucluelet harbour and the town is on the West side between the harbour and the Pacific Ocean. It sits on the southern tip of the Ucluth Peninsula.

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Great reasons to visit Ucluelet

There are many great reasons to visit Ucluelet. Just south of Ucluelet lies the spectacular Broken Group Islands in Barkley Sound.kayaking canoeing, and boating in the scenic Broken Group Islands is unsurpassed. In addition, the fishing, whale watching, and marine life viewing is spectacular in these very special islands. Scuba diving in the islands is also very good providing access to numerous reefs and shipwrecks. The Broken Group Islands are only accessible by boat and Ucluelet is the best place to access these islands. Whale Watching is also spectacular during the "whale season" (April to Sept). Be sure to attend the Pacific Rim Whale Festival in March.

Ucluelet has some of the very best kayaking on Vancouver Island. Kayak the majestic west coast waters of Vancouver Island, camp on pristine beaches, enjoy gourmet meals, hike through dense rain forests, and experience first-hand the diverse wonders of the Pacific Ocean. Guided ecotourism adventures include half-day, full-day, or multi-day kayak excursions into the wilderness of Barkley Sound, the Broken Group Islands of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Clayoquot Sound and the Deer Group Islands.  Our professional certified guides and top of the line equipment make the trips remarkably fun and educational for both novice and expert kayakers.  Rental kayaks and lessons are available.

Another great reason to visit Ucluelet is to hike the Wild Pacific Trail. This beautiful trail follows the rugged coastline along the open Pacific Ocean. It provides some excellent viewpoints that show off the rugged beauty of this special coastline. It is one of the best oceanside trails you will find anywhere. If your looking for fun come to the Edge to Edge Marathon in June.

On the southern most tip of the Ucluth Peninsula sits the Amphitrite Point Light Station. There are not many places where you can park your car and walk just a short distance to such a scenic light station. Amphitrite Point Light Station is also sitting on the Wild Pacific Trail. There is a short 2 km walk that takes in part of the trail and the light station.

The other spectacular activity is to visit this area during the winter. A new tourist activity has been firmly established in Ucluelet, that being storm watching. During a good storm, 30 foot waves pound the shoreline unimpeeded. The power is immense. When you are done storm watching you can curl up next to a fire and read a good book and relax in this most mystical of areas on Vancouver Island.

As you travel north from Ucluelet toward Tofino, you will soon enter the Pacific Rim National Park. The first beach you come to is at Florencia Bay and it is 6.4 km long. The remaineder of the park is Long Beach and Schooner Cove that span 16 km. Different areas of Long Beach are locally referred to as Wickaninnish Beach, Combers Beach, Long Beach and Incinerator Rock. The park has lots of rocky outcroppings with excellent opportunities for exploring tidepools at low tide. Sea Lion Rocks off Combers Beach is a bird nesting site and full of sea lions. There are also lots of good trails throughout the park. Long walks on the beach cannot be beat.

There is excellent fishing in the area for salmon, cod and halibut with lots of charter boats available in Ucluelet harbour. There is also another unique opportunity. You can board the MV Frances Barkley or the Lady Rose in Port Alberni and sail down the Alberni Inlet to Ucluelet passing through the Broken Group Islands. These freighters drop supplys and mail to coastal communities along the way. This is a very interesting trip.

Ucluelet is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes (180 km, 112 miles) from Nanaimo and about 288 km and 4.5 hours from the Capitol City of Victoria. On the Way from Nanaimo, you pass through Port Alberni and then over the mountains to Ucluelet.

You can get to Ucluelet by Bus (Coach) from Victoria and from the BC Ferry Terminals at Nanaimo and Swartz Bay, just north of Sidney BC.

For transportation information for Vancouver Island please check our transportation page. You will find information about getting to Vancouver Island and travel information for getting around the Island as well. Quality Maps for sale can be found on our Maps Page. This information is constantly changing so we are connecting you directly with the service providers so you can find current information.

Air Travel to Ucluelet.
The Airport is about a 15 minute drive north of Ucluelet. North Vancouver Air travels to Tofino. Contact them at 1-800-228-6608.
Kenmore Air Exress, Toll Free 1-866-435-9524, Email: reservations@kenmoreair.com provide service to and from Seattle's Boeing Field and Tofino-Ucluelet Airport! 

For international air travelers, the nearest international airports are in Vancouver (YVR) on the mainland or Victoria (YYJ) on southern Vancouver Island.  Other major airports on Vancouver Island are Nanaimo Airport (YCD) and Comox Valley Airport (YQQ).  In Ucluelet, the Tofino-Ucluelet Airport (YAZ) has scheduled and charter flights.

VISITOR CENTRES

Pacific Rim Visitor Centre, Phone: (250) 726-4600, Email: click here
Located at the end of the Pacific Rim Highway - take a break after the windy drive to the West Coast and stop in to the Pacific Rim Visitors Centre.    Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m - 4 p.m. October - March.   Open from March to June 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and July through to Labour Day 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Downtown Visitor Centre, Seasonal, 100 Main Street, Ucluelet
Phone: (250) 726-4641, Email:click here
We are anticipating the grand opening of our new downtown visitors centre shortly, in the Whiskey Dock Landing building on beautiful Ucluelet Harbour.