A small fishing town on Vancouver Island's west coast, with rugged Pacific beaches and a working harbor. Popular for storm watching and whale spotting in spring.
Walk past black rocks and twisted cedar trees in Ucluelet, a coastal town of 1,900 residents on [Vancouver Island](/ca/vancouver-island)'s west coast. You'll spot gray whales breaching in the Pacific waters from the Wild Pacific Trail, and paddle through the sheltered coves of the Broken Group Islands. The town's working harbor buzzes with fishing boats in summer, while winter brings powerful storms that crash against the historic Amphitrite Lighthouse.
Getting to Ucluelet
Drive across Vancouver Island on Highway 4 for 2.5 hours from Nanaimo to reach Ucluelet. Take the ferry to Nanaimo from Vancouver's Horseshoe Bay terminal, or fly directly to Tofino-Long Beach Airport, 20 minutes from town. The road cuts through mountains and old-growth forests. Plan for an extra hour of travel time due to ongoing road construction.
Wild Pacific Trail Experience
Walk the 8.4-kilometer Wild Pacific Trail's interconnected loops along the rocky shore. The 2.6-kilometer Lighthouse Loop takes you to the black-and-white Amphitrite Lighthouse, with wooden platforms jutting out over the cliffs for ocean views. Hundred-year-old cedar and spruce trees grow along the path, blocking the strongest winds. Stop at the signs to learn about local plants and spot sea lions in the waves below.
Marine Life and Activities
Watch gray whales swim past from March to October, with most sightings in spring. The best viewing spots include the Amphitrite Lighthouse and the Ancient Cedars viewing platform. Paddle through the calm waters of Barkley Sound to see seals lounging on rocks and sea otters floating in kelp beds. Visit the Ucluelet Aquarium to see local sea creatures in tanks fed by ocean water – all animals return to the sea when the aquarium closes each season.
Weather and Seasonal Activities
From November to March, waves up to 4.5 meters high pound the shore during winter storms. Watch safely from designated storm-watching shelters along the Wild Pacific Trail or near the lighthouse. Summer brings calmer seas and excellent fishing conditions – catch salmon and halibut in the local waters. Temperatures stay mild year-round, ranging from -10°C to 30°C.
First Nations Culture
The Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation chose this protected harbor thousands of years ago, giving Ucluelet its name, which means "people of the safe harbor" in their language. Their traditional lands include the surrounding waters and forests, where community members still fish and gather resources today.
