Slip into island time
Sitting on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Ucluelet is Tofino’s smaller yet just as enchanting neighbor. It embodies the island’s laidback lifestyle, with friendly locals and plenty of cafés and craft stores to explore. Most of the action is centered around the harbor, which is lined with a handful of Ucluelet vacation rentals. This means you can step out of your condo and straight onto the lively Peninsula Road strip. Ucluelet is also a jumping-off point to some of Vancouver Island’s best outdoor activities. Whether you want to fish, surf, or gaze at grizzly bears, this pint-sized town serves up big adventures.
Beach combing in Ucluelet
Run by a passionate team of ocean lovers, Ucluelet Aquarium showcases the colorful marine life that inhabits the waters of Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds. Just across the peninsula is Big Beach, where you can relax on the sand, comb through tidal pools, or unpack a picnic. Even in winter it’s a great place to enjoy a windswept walk. Starting near the mouth of Ucluelet Inlet, the Wild Pacific Trail carves through old growth rainforests and rocky shorelines. If you’d rather not stretch your legs, Amphitrite Point Lighthouse is road accessible and offers sweeping views of the Pacific coastline.
Storm watching in Ucluelet
In winter, Vancouver Island’s west coast is hit by wild weather and heavy blankets of fog. It’s a storm watcher’s paradise, so why not cozy up with Ucluelet vacation rentals and watch the natural grandeur unfold? Get lucky and you could even snag a property with a blazing fireplace. Every year from March to April, more than 20,000 gray whales pass by Ucluelet on their annual migration to the Bering Sea. So, if you want to maximize your whale watching opportunities, spring is a great time to visit.
Discover the Pacific Rim in Ucluelet
Ucluelet is part of Vancouver Island’s rugged Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, home to the legendary West Coast Trail. There are plenty of opportunities to rub shoulders with Mother Nature, from kayaking with orcas in the Broken Group Islands to beachcombing along Florencia Bay. The name Ucluelet translates to People of the Safe Harbor, a reference to its sheltered location in Barkley Sound. The town is located 140 miles from Victoria, and around 25 miles from the fun surf town of Tofino.
Transportation to and around Ucluelet
Fly into Tofino, BC (YAZ-Long Beach), the closest airport, located 13.8 mi (22.2 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you can also fly into Tofino, BC (YTP-Tofino Harbour Seaplane Base), which is 22.1 mi (35.5 km) away.