Ucluelet

Ucluelet is known for its west coast rugged beauty. Nature is everywhere, from huge expanses of easily accessible sandy beaches, to the intricate marine life in the tide pools, and the giant cedars, hemlocks, and spruces of the coastal rainforest. Watch for Orcas, bald eagles, sea lions, sea otters, black bears, deer and other wildlife which are in abundance on the west coast.

View Migrating Whales from Ucluelet

Each spring, the locals and visitors alike celebrate the migration of some 20,000 grey whales past the shores of Ucluelet on their journey from Baja, Mexico to Alaska. Ucluelet is on the migratory route for grey whales, humpback and Killer whales. Seals, sea lions, porpoises, and elephant seals can also be seen from boats or from the coastline. During the summer, visitors from around the world gather to camp, hike, kayak, fish or go on wilderness excursions. In the winter, storm watching is an increasingly popular pastime. Ucluelet is a true haven for the adventurous.

For an exhilarating view of the magnificent grey whales on their annual migration, board one of the local whale watching charter boats. The local skippers know the waters, the weather and the whales and will provide you with a west coast experience you will never forget.

Ucluelet's Heritage

Ucluelet's name derives from the Nuu-chah-nulth phrase, Yu-clutl-ahts, the people with a good landing place for canoes. Ucluelet is situated close to the Long Beach area of Pacific Rim National Park, located close to Tofino. Internationally famous and named for its 12-mile stretch of surf-swept sand, Long Beach is open year-round and offers outstanding beach walking, surfing, storm watching and whale watching. Ucluelet is on the West side of Vancouver Island, one of the most beautiful and stunning waterfront locations in all of Canada.

Until the early 1870s, Ucluelet was a First Nation village with the main reservation at the entrance of the Inlet on the east side, just as it is today. The Village of Ucluelet was incorporated on February 26, 1952. Now a logging, fishing and tourist village at the south end of Pacific Rim National Park, Ucluelet is a base for tourism, commercial and sport fishing, as well as wildlife and whale watching excursions.

Enjoy Scuba Diving, Kayaking, Surfing, Hiking, Boating and Bear Watching

The clear waters of Barkley Sound, adjacent to Ucluelet is also home to some of the best scuba diving and kayaking in the world, Visitors come from all over the world to visit the famous beach, the mountain lakes, streams and waterfalls, with magnificent vistas of Barkley Sound and Clayoquot Sound. Walk any one of the numerous nature trails through ancient forests where you will be surrounded by huge old growth cedar trees, homes to black bears, birds and waterfowl.

Location

Ucluelet can be reached via Highway 4 (Pacific Rim Highway) that starts in Parksville and winds across the spine of the Vancouver Island Mountains to Port Alberni and the open ocean at Ucluelet and Tofino. This is the route to the Pacific Rim National Park. There is also a small airport between Ucluelet and Tofino, where there are some direct flights from Vancouver.

Welcome to Ucluelet!

Ucluelet is located on Vancouver Island which has been Voted #1 Island by Travel & Leisure Magazine Readers. Visitors are very welcome in Ucluelet. In the Visitors Section you will find a lot of valuable information that will help you plan your visit. You can learn about Ucluelet's location, heritage, climate and natural rugged beauty, and discover the varied opportunities for outdoor adventure that this area has to offer. There are links to accommodation and dining listings and adventure/tour operator information, as well as links to the Pacific Rim Visitor's Centre, the Wild Pacific Trail and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve websites. For mariners there is extensive information, including links to marine weather sites and tide tables. Come and enjoy the West Coast of Vancouver Island, it will be one of the most memorable trips you will ever make!