The best things to do in Ucluelet for nature seekers

Looking for the best wildlife experiences and outdoor activities in Ucluelet? As one of the wildest places on Vancouver Island, there’s no shortage of amazing things to do in Ucluelet if you want to spend some time in nature.

Located on the far West Coast of Vancouver Island, Ucluelet (pronounced “you-clue-let”) is wild, rugged and unspoiled. Affectionately known as Ukee by the locals, Ucluelet is one of my favourite places on Vancouver Island and is perfect for a long weekend getaway. There are so many fun things to do in Ucluelet. From wildlife watching and hiking to beach walks and kayaking, Ucluelet is the perfect destination for outdoor lovers.

I’ve been four times over the past six years, and each time is just as special. I get a lot of questions about Ucluelet, so I’m covering all the best things to do in Ucluelet in this guide – specifically wildlife and outdoor activities. Enjoy!

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TLDR: Wildlife and outdoor activities in Ucluelet

There are so many incredible nature-based things to do in Ucluelet. If you’re struggling to decide what to do, here are the three activities I would prioritise based on my own experience:

Join a bear watching tour
Explore the Wild Pacific Trail
Kayak to the Broken Group Islands (this is the tour I did)

The best wildlife and outdoor things to do in Ucluelet

I’ve always been drawn to wild places where I can reconnect with nature – and it doesn’t get much wilder than Ucluelet. Here, where the rainforest meets the sea, there are endless opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitat and explore the rugged west coast landscapes.

I’ve been to Ucluelet four times now, so I have a LOT of recommendations! To make this guide easier to navigate, I’ve divided the best things to do in Ucluelet into 1) wildlife experiences and 2) outdoor activities. I hope this helps you plan your own trip to this beautiful part of Canada!

The best wildlife experiences in Ucluelet

1. Visit Ucluelet Aquarium

No trip to Ucluelet would be complete without visiting the aquarium. As one of the world’s largest catch-and-release aquariums, you’ll get to see a wide range of marine life that inhabits the waters of Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds.

The aquarium is compact but it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Ucluelet, especially if you’re travelling with kids. It has several touch tanks where you can handle sea stars, as well as deeper tanks housing local creatures like octopus and rockfish.

It’s open from March until November and is a very fun and educational experience for all ages. The staff and volunteers are incredibly knowledgeable and lead interpretive talks, guided tours and hands-on learning programs about the ocean’s ecosystem.

2026 ADMISSION FEES (INCLUDING TAX):

Adults: $18.00
Youth (4 – 17): $11.00
Students: $13.00
Seniors (65 +): $16.00
Children: 3 and under are free

Ucluelet Aquarium - fun things to do in Ucluelet with kids

2. Take a day trip to the Broken Group Islands

If you love kayaking, Ucluelet is one of the best places to do it. You can hire kayaks and SUPs and paddle around the inner harbour or, if you’re more experienced, you can go on a longer excursion to the Broken Group Islands.

I did a full day kayaking tour with Hello Nature Adventure Tours on my last trip and can’t recommend them enough. The guides are lovely and very knowledgeable about local history and wildlife. You’ll meet at the dock at 8am and take a 45-minute boat ride over to the Broken Group Islands where you’ll start the kayaking tour.

We saw so much wildlife on our tour including otters, seals and eagles but our guides said they have often seen whales, mink and sea lions so take your camera! You’ll get to paddle for a few hours, explore the islands, islets and sandy beaches, before stopping for a picnic. After lunch, they’ll show you ancient middens, fish traps and even the canoe runs of the First Nations who inhabited the islands.

You’ll get back via the taxi boat around 4pm so it is a full day but if you enjoy kayaking, it’s one of the best things to do in Ucluelet! Learn more and book your trip here >

3. Join a Ucluelet Harbour kayaking tour

If the idea of a full day tour sounds a bit too much but you still want to kayak, don’t worry! Hello Adventure Tours also runs a small-group, 3-hour kayaking tour. You can choose from several different start times and meet your guide down at the waterfront. They provide all the kayaking equipment including dry bags, life jackets and spray skirts.

After a quick safety chat, you’ll set off to look for wildlife like deer, bears and eagles while learning about the region’s history and biodiversity. This is one of the most protected routes in Barkley Sound and the scenery is beautiful! If you’re interested, you can learn more and book here >

4. Go whale watching

Ucluelet is one of the best places in Canada to go whale watching. From March to October, there are normally around 200 resident grey whales that feed in the waters surrounding Ucluelet. Humpback whales and orcas are also seen throughout the season, along with other incredible marine wildlife, such as sea lions, eagles and sea otters. This is definitely one of my favourite things to do in Ucluelet!

Tours typically last a few hours and are led by experienced guides who share fascinating info about marine life and local ecosystems. I recommend booking a whale watching tour with Jamie’s Whaling Station. They offer family-friendly eco-tours in both large cruisers and zodiacs. Cameron Ocean Adventures is another great option. They’re a family-run company and offer tours on a 43-foot covered vessel. Both companies have a ‘rain-check’ guarantee so if you don’t see whales, you can go again for free.

5. Book a bear and wildlife watching tour

Alongside whale watching, Jamie’s and Cameron Ocean Adventures both also offer bear watching tours. These tours will take you along the shoreline of Barkley Sound where black bears are often spotted at low tide foraging for food. If you’re lucky, you may even see young cubs learning how to hunt for their food!

Bear watching season usually starts in April when the bears wake up from winter hibernation and runs until October when they head upriver following the salmon. Of course, bears aren’t the only wildlife you’ll see! Most of the time you’ll come across bald eagles, seals, sea lions and an abundance of local and migratory birds.

6. Spot wildlife at Ucluelet Harbour

If you hadn’t realised already, one of my favourite things to do in Ucluelet is look for wildlife! The great thing about Ucluelet is that you don’t have to venture far. There are lots of fantastic tours but if you don’t have time or don’t want to spend the money, go down to the harbour.

On our last trip, we stayed at Bayshore Waterfront Inn (I highly recommend by the way!) and saw seals, otters, and deer by the harbour. We were even lucky enough to watch bald eagles soaring above and swooping down to catch fish from the harbour one evening. It was such a majestic sight to see!

We had a room with a balcony that looked over the inlet and one night we saw something far away in the distance. We grabbed our binoculars, and it turned out to be a black bear walking across the shoreline! Ucluelet is an incredible spot for wildlife watching so make sure you take your camera and with some patience, you’ll probably see a lot!

Top outdoor things to do in Ucluelet

7. Explore the Wild Pacific Trail

Built by the Wild Pacific Trail Society, the Wild Pacific Trail spans 8 km of dramatic shoreline with stunning ocean views out to Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands.

There are three sections to explore: Lighthouse Loop, Artist Loops, and Rocky Bluffs. Each section of this spectacular coastal trail is unique and showcases Ucluelet’s wild and rugged landscape. Watching the waves crash against the rocks, discovering endless ocean vistas, and walking among some of the oldest trees on Ucluelet peninsula is what makes this trail so special.

THE LIGHTHOUSE LOOP

If you don’t have time to explore the whole trail during your stay, I’d recommend just doing the Lighthouse Loop on the southern tip of the Ucluelet Peninsula. The 2.6 km loop is an easy and accessible trail which takes about 45 – 60 minutes; although you’ll want to take your time as the views are incredible and the scenery is breath-taking.

The trail starts from the parking lot on Coast Guard Road and takes you through the dense forest before reaching the rocky headlands, dramatic coastline, and the iconic Amphitrite Lighthouse. You can either do the whole trail or, if you’re pressed for time and just want to see lighthouse, you can walk down the main road from the car park directly to the lighthouse.

ARTIST LOOPS SECTION

Lined with viewing decks and little nooks, this section showcases Ucluelet’s wild and rugged landscape. The 2.75km trail takes about 45 – 60 minutes to walk and is slightly more challenging than the other two sections due to the small hills and stairs. Fortunately, there is a stroller bypass route available for the sections with the stairs.

ANCIENT CEDARS AND ROCKY BLUFFS

This section is the furthest from Ucluelet and is probably the wildest section. The 2.5km trail takes about 35 minutes to complete. The coastal walk along Rocky Bluffs takes about 20 minutes, whilst the Ancient Cedars Loop can be completed in about 15 minutes. The trail passes by some of the oldest trees on Ucluelet peninsula, including western hemlock and giant red cedars. There are also spectacular viewpoints across the Rocky Bluffs and an abundance of wildlife in this area too so look out for seals, sea lions, and eagles.

8. Go to Long Beach

Stretching 16 km between Tofino and Ucluelet, Long Beach is aptly named! The scenery is breath-taking all year round, but even more so during the winter when storms are rolling in. Sitting in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Long Beach has a sandy shoreline but is backed by the temperate rainforest. Walking along the beach is one of my favourite things to do in Ucluelet as you can do some beachcombing and wildlife spotting. Bring your binoculars if you have some as you can often see whales far off in the distance.

It’s a great place to go with kids as there are often lots of tide pools on the rocky areas. The beach can be easily flooded by the powerful tides so make sure you check the tide charts before venturing out onto the rocks.

As Long Beach is in the National Park, you do need to pay for the National Park pass. There is a pay station in the car park where you can buy a national park entry pass. Make sure you display it in your windshield. You can find more information on Parks Canada’s website.

9. Walk the Rainforest Trails

The Rainforest Trails are a lovely way to explore the ancient rainforest and get up close to the giant trees and lush green ferns. Located in between Long Beach and Ucluelet, these trails are also part of the Pacific Rim National Park and are definitely worth exploring while you’re visiting Ucluelet!

There are two trails; Loop A is on the right-hand side of the highway and Loop B is on the left. You can do one of the trails or both depending on how much time you have. The trails will take you along a number of boardwalks and are relatively easy; however, there are a lot of steps so it is a good workout. Make sure you have boots or shoes with good grip as the boardwalks can be quite slippery all year round. I’d also suggest taking bear spray as this is a wild and rugged area and it’s not uncommon to see bears.

10. Relax on the local beaches

If you fancy a beach day but don’t want to drive to Long Beach, Ucluelet has several charming beaches. Little Beach and Terrace Beach are my favourites and are the perfect picnic spots if you want a relaxing day by the ocean. Little Beach is the closest to town – just a 15-minute walk along Peninsula Road – and is actually bigger than you’d expect given the name! It’s sheltered and has lovely views of the shoreline. On my last trip I learnt from a local couple that Little Beach is a BC Heritage Site. It turns out archaeologists have found remains of an old First Nations midden there in the past which is pretty cool!

If you continue along Peninsula Road for another 10 minutes, you’ll reach Terrace Beach Resort and the trail down to Terrace Beach. Follow the signs through the forest and you’ll quickly find the sandy pebble beach. It’s such a nice, peaceful spot to sit and watch the waves. From here, you can wander up to He-Tin-Kis Park and join the Wild Pacific Trail all the way to Amphitrite Point Lighthouse.

11. Take a day trip to Tofino

Tofino is 40 minutes by car from Ucluelet and there is also the local bus service that operates daily, so if you have time, it’s worth doing a day trip. Spend some time exploring Tofino’s lovely independent shops and galleries and you’ll discover some unique coastal goods made by BC and Canadian artists. My favourite shops are Two Trees Tofino and Salt which both have beautiful souvenirs.

If you’re looking for an easy trail, I highly recommend doing the Tonquin trail. It takes you through the rainforest, along several boardwalks, and down some stairs to Tonquin beach. For a romantic evening, pack a picnic and blanket and watch the sunset from the beach.

For a truly magical experience, book a sunset tour with Tofino Air and watch the sun go down as you fly over Clayoqout Sound. I have a blog post all about the flight experience if you’re looking for more information.

12. Go ziplining

There are so many adventurous things to do in Ucluelet but a ziplining tour may be the most exhilarating! WestCoast WILD Zipline offers an amazing ziplining experience through the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation. You’ll get to soar through the rainforest and rock canyon of the Winchee (Kennedy River) and get a unique perspective. It’s an eco-educational adventure so you’ll learn a lot about the history and wildlife of the region along the way.

There are 6 different ziplines as part of the experience with short hikes in-between. The guides are great and very professional. They’ll constantly check your gear as they hook you up and will safely brake you at each of the landing platforms.

13. Learn to surf

Ucluelet, along with Tofino, is one of Canada’s top surfing destinations. While visitors typically flock to Tofino for the waves and beaches, Ucluelet also has some great surf spots. If you want to try surfing or improve your skills while you’re in Ucluelet, Relic Surf Shop offers group and private lessons led by fully Open Ocean certified instructors, accredited by BCASI.

A group surf lesson costs $95 CAD and a private session costs $185 CAD. Both options are 150 minutes long and include all the gear and equipment you’ll need. All you need to bring is your bathing suit, towel, warm clothes for afterwards, sunscreen, water and some snacks! Lessons usually take place at Long Beach or Wickaninnish Beach depending on the weather and wave conditions.

If you’re already a seasoned surfer but don’t have your gear, you can rent everything you need from Relic Surf Shop as well. With dramatic scenery and great waves, surfing is definitely one of the best things to do in Ucluelet.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Ucluelet?

The most common way to get to Ucluelet from Vancouver is to take the ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and drive. There are two ferry routes to choose from depending on where you’re coming from in Vancouver; Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay or Tsawwassen to Duke Point. Alternatively, you could take the ferry to Victoria – it’s a longer drive but makes sense if you want to visit Victoria or Sooke on the same trip.

From Nanaimo, it’s about a 2.5-to-3-hour drive to Ucluelet. There’s lot of beautiful places to stop along the way (check out my road trip guide for some ideas) so definitely plan to take your time!

Another way to get to Ucluelet is to fly from Vancouver to the Tofino-Long Beach Airport (YAZ). It’s a quick 45-minute flight followed by a 30-minute drive to Ucluelet. This is definitely the fastest option, but it is more expensive as you’ll need to factor in car hire or taxi costs.

If you need more info on how to get to Ucluelet, I’ve written a detailed guide on how to get there with and without a car.

When is the best time to go to Ucluelet?

A lot of people have asked me this and I honestly think that Ucluelet is a great place to visit any time of the year! It really depends on what you want to do and your budget. I’ve been to Ucluelet and Tofino in all four seasons so here are a few things you should consider before deciding when to go:

SPRING: BEST FOR WILDLIFE WATCHING

Spring is personally my favourite time to go to Ucluelet and Tofino. The weather is pleasant it’s much quieter than the summer months. It’s also peak whale watching season so it’s the best time of the year to spot grey whales migrating through the Pacific Rim. Whale watching tours typically run from March until the end of October. Similarly, bear watching tours operate from April to October.

SUMMER: BEST FOR THE WEATHER

Ucluelet in summer is so much fun as you can camp, hike, go on whale watching adventures, and enjoy beach fires. However, as with all places in British Columbia, it is peak season so expect crowds and pricey accommodation.

FALL: BEST FOR SURFING

If you’re hoping to try surfing for the first time, fall is a great time to go as the water is at its warmest. The waves aren’t as big so it’s perfect for beginners who want to learn to surf after the summer crowds have gone. There are still lots of wildlife watching opportunities and accommodation tends to be a bit cheaper.

WINTER: BEST FOR STORM WATCHING

Winter in Ucluelet and Tofino are much quieter. The weather is colder but there’s something magical about wrapping up warm and going storm watching on the beaches. You can usually find some really good deals for accommodation during this quieter season. If you decide to visit in winter and plan to drive, make sure you check the road conditions and have winter tires. The drive to Ucluelet will take you through some remote areas with limited cell service so make sure you pack all the essentials and are prepared if you do break down.

How many days are needed in Ucluelet?

There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Ucluelet, especially if you love the outdoors. As it’s quite a long drive from Vancouver, I’d recommend going for a long weekend so you can spend 3 days in Ucluelet. This will give you plenty of time to explore the Wild Pacific Trail, relax at the local beaches, enjoy some great food, and squeeze in a kayaking or wildlife tour. You can also spend one of the days in Tofino and visit some of the iconic beaches and trails along the way. If you’re short on time, 2 days is still enough to experience the highlights, but you’ll probably wish you had longer!

Is Ucluelet worth visiting?

In one word, yes! A lot of people overlook Ucluelet in favour of Tofino or ask me, which is better, Tofino or Ucluelet? While the two towns share a rugged coastline and laid-back vibe, they each offer something unique. Ucluelet tends to be quieter, less touristy, and a little wilder which is perfect if you want to slow down and really connect with nature. Tofino has more going on the social side but can be quite hectic in the summer months.

Ucluelet is definitely a destination in its own right. If you’re planning a trip to Tofino, I highly recommend adding a day or two to explore Ucluelet as well. The Wild Pacific Trail alone makes the detour worthwhile.

Final thoughts

There’s something so special about Ucluelet. It’s wild, raw and unforgettable – which is probably why I keep going back time and time again! There are so many things to do in Ucluelet but with careful planning, you can fit a lot into a long weekend. I hope this guides gives you some ideas and inspiration to plan your own trip. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below and I’ll be happy to answer them!