Best things to do in Ucluelet

Ucluelet Essentials

Ucluelet sits on the rugged western edge of Vancouver Island, bordering the Barkley Sound. This coastal community is defined by the Wild Pacific Trail, a 9-kilometer network winding through old-growth cedars and rocky cliffs. The list highlights the 1915 Amphitrite Point Lighthouse and the Ucluelet Aquarium, a unique catch-and-release facility showcasing local marine life. Shoreline highlights include the shell-midden beach at Little Beach, the storm-watching vantage points of Big Beach, and the panoramic harbor views from the Crow's Nest viewpoint.

Ucluelet Essentials — Map

Sdariun / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Amphitrite Point Lighthouse

Amphitrite Point Lighthouse is an active lighthouse in Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, named…

B

Wild Pacific Trail

A 9-kilometer trail system divided into the Lighthouse Loop and Artist Loops. The gravel paths wind through ancient cedar forests and along rocky cliffs, offering multiple viewpoints for whale watching and winter storm observation.

C

Ucluelet Aquarium

Canada's first catch-and-release aquarium displays marine life native to the Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds. All specimens are collected from local waters in the spring and released back into the wild every autumn.

D

Big Beach

A rocky beach featuring a public picnic area and access to the Wild Pacific Trail. It is a notable location for observing the Pacific's massive winter swells and exploring coastal tide pools.

E

Terrace Beach

A sheltered bay located at the start of the Lighthouse Loop. It features calmer waters than the outer coast and is the site of an ancient First Nations interpretive trail.

F

Little Beach

A small, protected cove with a beach formed by crushed shells. The area holds historical significance as an ancient First Nations village site and archaeological shell midden.

G

Crow's nest

A high-elevation viewpoint offering a panoramic perspective of the Ucluelet harbor, the surrounding mountain ranges, and the open Pacific Ocean.

H

Brown's Beach

A rugged section of shoreline along the Wild Pacific Trail known for its driftwood, tide pools, and views of the rocky coastline.