About Ucluelet

Visit Ucluelet and Experience Life on the Edge!

Located on the western shores of Vancouver Island, Ucluelet is a welcoming town with access to sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, secluded coves, old-growth rainforest trails and the natural wonder of the Pacific Rim National Reserve.

Ucluelet is becoming a popular travel destination and features stunning coastal scenery, energetic festivals, and a rich cultural history. The word Ucluelet (pronounced you-klew-let) is a local First Nations word meaning "people with a safe place to land" or "a safe landing place". Archaeological evidence indicates the presence of First Nations for at least 4300 years, and the area was settled in 1870 by fur sealers, fishermen and missionaries.

The environment of tranquil Ucluelet provides a stimulating and dramatic backdrop for working, living, and recreating. The town of Ucluelet offers beaches, community parks, waterfront promenades, restaurants, unique shops and galleries, an aquarium and a range of accommodation choices.

The motto of Ucluelet is "Living on the Edge" due in part to its location on a peninsula surrounded by water. This marine influence make's Ucluelet the ideal homebase for outdoor adventure.  Experience activies on the edge like kayaking, surfing, whale watching, fishing, beach combing, diving, storm watching, and boating.

A key highlight in Ucluelet is the easily accessible Wild Pacific Trail, which offers spectacular vistas of the Pacific Ocean, Barkley Sound, Amphitrite Lighthouse, and the Broken Group Islands.  Walk the trail beneath a canopy of an old growth rainforest, rest at one of the many viewpoint benches and enjoy watching the wildlife or the sun set.

Just north of Ucluelet is the Long Beach Unit of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.  Discover the untouched beauty of the west coast while learning about this diverse marine ecosystem.  Ucluelet provides easy water access to Barkley Sound; a spectacular area that features the Broken Group Islands Unit of Pacific Rim National Reserve.

Ucluelet is located 288 kilometres (179 miles) northwest of the British Columbia provincial capital, Victoria, on the magnificent outer West Coast of Vancouver Island.  The closest city is Port Alberni approximately 110 km (68 mi) to the east. The District of Tofino is 40 km (25 mi) northwest of Ucluelet.