Ucluelet
sights
Ucluelet Aquarium
One of Ukee's main attractions, a hub for learning about and experiencing our inter-tidal zone without getting your feet wet. It's a catch-and-release aquarium, a first on the coast and very well curated! These guys also are a non-profit organization, so your supporting the good cause when you decide to pay them a visit.
Whisky Landing
Right around the Aquarium is the Government dock, a scenic spot in an industrial setting, harking back to Ucluelet's rich fishing history. Expansive views onto the local harbor traffic with Mt. Ozard as the backdrop and seals playing below - Great place to take your coffee tumbler to.
Little Beach
Just within 150m of our accommodation, it's a great spot for a quick stroll or just to take your morning coffee to. Perfect launch for SUP's as well.
Ucluelet actually means 'a safe place to land your canoe' in the local first-nation language. This was one of the spots they landed and dragged their canoe across to the inlet after a days work out on the Pacific.
Terrace Beach
Great pebble beach, 150m from our accommodation. Just take your coffee or picnic and let it all soak in, framed by old-growth cedars and Sitka Spruce. We love to just go there in the morning to wake up and soak in that fresh ocean air.
Wild Pacific Trail
This is a spectacular little trail and it starts pretty much at our doorstep! Every bench along the way has breathtaking views that constantly change with the time and weather! 2.1km of gravel makes it also a joggers favorite.
Ancient Cedars Loop Trail
The other and quite different half of the Wild Pacific Trail. Here you can dwell among ancient cedars and explore the 'hanging garden zone' with its Lichen & Ferns. Make sure to enter and park at the trail-head closest to the black rock resort as roadside parking next to the highway is pretty sketchy.
Jiggers
Best fish'n'ships in town. They have an indoor area for those rainy days. We always get the lingcod instead of the salmon. Best fish for that sort of thing.
Heartwood Kitchen food outfitter
Soul food - Superb spot for your breakfast, lunch and dinner. Make sure to sit out back if there is room to soak in that sun! The owner is the former chef of the Long Beach Lodge and the historical building used to be the officer's casino.
Big Beach
This beach can be busy at times (comparatively), but it has beautiful sunsets in the summer and is a fantastic place to go and beach comb a little.
Willowbrae Trail
This 20 minute forested trail terminates at a long flight of wooden stairs. From here you either can descent to the southern end of Florencia (aka Wreck Bay). Probably one of the loneliest beaches out here! Or you can head left to Half-moon Bay. Please check the local tides first to not get caught and avoid thus rough beauty during storms!
Wickaninnish Beach
The longest Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park, which is called Wick Beach to the South and it expands into the well known portion called Long Beach to the North. It's a truly great expanse of space, with the grassy headlands and dunes in the back and the Pacific along the horizon - a surfer's paradise. There also is a great interpretive center, showcasing the local history and it's many facets.
south beach & Lismer Beach
To the South of Wickaninnish Beach, either by trail of walking along the shoreline, you will find Lismer Beach, named after the the famous painter and member of the Group of Seven who came here to paint on numerous occasions, Further down the trail you will reach South Beach, a sheltered, intimate and sun-bathed pebble beach, that is a little less travelled than most other beaches.
Tofino
Anchor Park
Best view in Tofino - see the floatplanes come and go, kayakers start of to destinations close and far, framed by Cat Face Mountain in the back.
Tonquin Beach
Best spot in Tofino to watch the sunset, but parking is limited. The district established a small trail along it's shoreline to the South, which is no match for the Wild Pacific Trail, but unique in it's own regard.
Chesterman Beach
This is Tofino's meet and greet beach, a place to promenade around, watch the surfers and bask in the sun. Frank Island is accessible at low tide, with great opportunities to examine tidal pools and star fish in it's intertidal zone. Part of that island is private, so please respect the ropes that mark the property boundary. If you feel like getting a snack or coffee in style, head to the North end to the Wickaninnish Inn - You'll find the Driftwood Cafe beneath the Beach Building - Also a fave place to warm up during Storm Watching season!