Winter Storm Watching in Ucluelet, BC

Storm season in Ucluelet is upon us, and we could not be more excited. Ask any Ucluelet local and they can attest to the majesty of a winter storm on BC’s west coast. The energy and sounds of massive waves crashing on the rocky shoreline, winds that make the trees dance, while rains quench the soil and restore shades of green that must be seen to be believed. The energy is palpable while walking on the Wild Pacific Trail and undeniably humbling. These waves bring about a feeling of connection and awe with mother nature. If you have heard the buzz about storm watching in Tofino, wait until you see the massive waves hit the rocky coastline of Ucluelet.

Ucluelet’s soundtrack during the winter months offers the calming rumble of waves connecting with the coastline while being offset by the buoy bell and foghorn. These rhythmic sounds from your cozy accommodation will lull you to sleep by natures sound machine. Things move slowly this time of year and so can you. Winter in Ucluelet means leaning into rest, restoration, quietness, and togetherness. It is the time to pick up a neglected book, cook a meal with those you love or cuddle in and storm watch. Do as much or as little as you feel called to.

If you choose to venture out of your cozy nook, the towering trees on the Wild Pacific Trail offer some refuge on the rainier days and a safe vantage point to watch the winter storms, they huddle over you like natures canopy umbrella. Embracing the elements is always an option for those who wish to feel the mist on their faces and the energy move through ground into your feet as you watch these waves pound the rocky coastline. Or for the seasoned winter surfer, grab your board and catch a swell. On the calmer days, see if you can book a harbour tour in a kayak or boat.

If complete relaxation is what you seek, selfcare with a customized treatment in Drift Spa at the Black Rock Resort or Nurture Day Spa at Water’s Edge Shoreside Suites, will round out your restorative journey.

With a variety of accommodations available, the opportunities for rest and relaxation are endless. Maybe it’s a cottage with a hot tub, or a hotel room with a king size bed and space for your furry companions, start dreaming and choose to be here this Winter. Its your time to treat yourself and Ucluelet has all the tools to do so.

If you have been to Ucluelet in the Summer, you know what all the buzz is about. Its not too late to book an amazing accommodation or campsite, a day out on the water doing your favorite activity or stop in at an incredible restaurant or food truck. With the opening of Highway 4, the time is now!

Summer in Ucluelet is in full swing. The rainforest is alive with life, blooming flowers and berries beginning to grow. The soundtrack of the Summer is chirping birds, laughing children and soft waves hitting the shoreline. Businesses in town are open and ready to welcome you, with new cafes and shops to be explored.

For the adventure seeker, you can customize a summer getaway packed with action. Start your trip with a wildlife cruise, catching glimpses of hungry bears on the shoreline. Plan a day of fishing in our world class waters- a great way to enjoy a summer day while reeling in your catch. Book a nature tour or hiking trip and have a seasoned guide show you some remote and stunningly beautiful spots. For those who want to unplug and truly connect with nature, a multi-day kayaking trip to the Broken Group Islands is a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed.

For the max relaxers, the beach is calling! Sunny days mean its time to pack up the whole family, rent surf boards, wetsuits, book a lesson and post up for the day. After your day in the sun, there are a variety of restaurants and food trucks in town, so everyone can find something they love to eat. Before heading back to your accommodation, watch a jaw dropping sunset from the shoreline.

Ucluelet is the perfect place for a last-minute summer vacation. With current availability in town, it is the time to book your dream trip. We can’t wait to see you.

Thumbnail photo by Jeremy Koreski

Visting in Ucluelet, you are invited to become one with the community and nature. You are more than just a visitor; you are part of a greater story unfolding all around you.
The story of Ucluelet is rich in cultural history and deep-rooted in appreciation for nature. Located on the traditional territory of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ -Ucluelet First Nation, our town shares respect and appreciation for Indigenous heritage. Protecting the land and ocean is just one way we show solidarity.

Our ancient cedars tell a story of their own. When you explore the Ancient Cedar’s Loop of the Wild Pacific Trail, you immediately feel the presence of wisdom. Tree roots and gnarly limbs are reflections of winter storms, wild winds, and survival.

“Ucluelet” means Safe Harbour, historically ‘dwellers of the protected place inside’ in Nuu-chah-nulth language. Our harbour has provided safety to fishing vessels waiting out a storm, as a seaplane base and flight strip during World War II, and most prominently, has provided habitat to Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ. Our harbour is home to orca’s feasting, eagles diving, and sea lions playing. The energy is one of protection and calm, even for those who stand on its shoreline.

When you immerse yourself in Ucluelet, you connect with the true spirit and beauty of the area. We welcome you with open arms and ask you to join our story by protecting and loving Ucluelet as much as we do.

Leave no trace

We are so glad you are here, but we don’t want reminders that you were (the bad kind anyways.) Avoid bringing unnecessary garbage, wrapping and single use plastics. Pack it in, pack it out and leave all places you visit unspoiled.

Respect the locals

Not just the people! We have a diverse host of local wildlife who want to go about their business. We respect their space, and they respect ours. Enjoy from a distance and never leave food unattended. As for the people, be the type of visitor they will want to invite back.

Book ahead

Spring and Summer can be busy, that’s why its always best to book ahead. There are some major perks of doing so. You will get top pick of the accommodation of your dreams; you will have your activities planned and reservations secured for amazing meals out. Beat the rush: book now!
For more suggestions on how to fit in with the locals, meet our very own Salty, the Sea Otter. He’s got a lot to say. See you soon!

The nourishing rainy season brings the forest to life in brilliant shades of green as the winter storms subside. Spring is emerging in Ucluelet, with our annual visitors, the grey whales, coming through as they head to Alaska for the summer. These gentle giants are a wonder to behold; if you’re lucky enough, you might even see them from the Wild Pacific Trail!

Springtime is the best of both worlds; everything is open with that off-season quieter vibe, fewer people, but plenty of options. Pick a pace that suits you taking advantage of this time of year (even mid-week) to have a quick getaway discovering a new menu, a decorated hotel room or a new business opening its doors – stay tuned! Even our most seasoned visitors will find something new and exciting in store. Relax while enjoying a meal, feel the salt air on your face during a wildlife boat trip, and take a calm kayak paddle through the harbour or Broken Group Islands. Explore the rainforest by taking a long, slow stroll through the woods or fly down a zipline at the speed of fun. It may not take much time, but the memory of it will last forever.

And if west coast camping is more your love, now is the time to try a midweek escape before the summer. You’ll have a lot more choices, and you can focus on the activities you’d like to enjoy while you’re here. So think about your timing and how you want to jump into spring, literally from a zipline, lounging by the campfire, or just being in nature listening to the sounds of spring. Either way, we know you’ll enjoy every minute you spend here, and you’re always welcome to come back — time and time again.

If you want to get closer to your partner, you need to turn up the cuddle. A sun-soaked beach in February may seem like a great idea, but do you really want to snuggle with someone slathered in SPF 50, sitting on crowded, hot sand? The smarter thing is to find a quiet, secluded, romantic place like Ucluelet. Even when it’s sunny things can get a little chilly, but you can warm things up together by exploring the shops, restaurants and trails or walking along the beach.

The storm and drama of windswept, crashing waves on a rocky shore may be a perfect natural equivalent to the rush of passion that rises within you each time you lock eyes with your beloved. Or it may just be reason enough for you to reach deep inside your heart and say, “You look cold, let’s head back.”

Whether you choose to limit your time in the outdoors to however long it takes to get inside from the car, or you fully embrace the many different ways breathtaking natural beauty can build a stronger bond, you’ll find the shared experience of our wild coast will do wonders for your soul – and your relationship. If it’s raining, don’t be afraid to join those who head out into the storm in their rain gear. Once you shed those wet clothes and slip into something comfortable, the roaring fire, hot drinks and snuggling up afterwards will make it more than worthwhile.

Ucluelet has a perfect balance of storm-tossed natural splendour and creature comforts for all couples looking to get close. In addition to our restaurants and cafes, storm season is a great time to take advantage of the many accommodations with kitchens. There’s nothing like the sight of you unpacking groceries and creating a romantic meal to reassure your partner that they made a good call, romantic-getaway-wise. And remember: toast or popcorn can qualify as romantic – just add candles.

It’s true, some couples stay together without ever going on a romantic stormwatching trip. But many other couples have discovered the lasting value of these shared experiences and the deeper connection it creates in mind, body, and soul. They know you come home looking forward to spending more time together and eagerly anticipating the next trip to Ucluelet. In the summer, say. (Pass the sunblock.)

What’s your idea of wild? Is it the nearby park where you know every trail by heart but are still grateful for having nature so close at hand? Or is it unimaginably remote: the fjord of an uninhabited arctic island or a thick and unmapped jungle?

Some wild places are every day; others are once in a lifetime. To be honest, we’re kind of in the middle. Hardly at the ends of the earth, yet even the drive here is an adventure on its own—across Island mountain ranges, beside lakes and rivers, and through old-growth forests. When you get to Ucluelet, you will know you have reached the wild.

To your back, the hushed and ancient rainforests rise to cloud-topped hills. On the shore, past thundering waves, you soon realize there’s not much but whitecaps and marine wildlife between you and Japan. 

Ucluelet is here to feed your soul and body with delicious meals, comfy pillows and cozy beds. And as much as we all enjoy facing nature head-on, that doesn’t mean we have to leave the local galleries or shops empty-handed.

There is a time for crowds when the energy of lots of people wakes you up like a double espresso—when it’s fun to be going where everyone else is going. We call this time “summer.” But when crowds have fled, and the roads have cleared, the odds are much greater that you will find yourself in solitude on a beach or a trail. We call this time “now.”

If you’re a strictly-summertime visitor, now is the time to experience another thing that makes Ucluelet authentically wild: the weather. As we like to say, ‘We can get four seasons in one day!’ Blue sky for days are nice, but our fall and winter weather is a cliffhanger: no one knows what will happen next, and you can’t wait to find out. 

So whether wild means familiar or forbidding, you’ll find your very own wild whenever you make time to visit us. And in this season where the crowds go quieter, the weather gets louder; there’s never been a better time. Your craving for nature will be fed in countless ways—every time you return.

If we want to protect  the things we love about the places we visit, we need to change the way we travel. Happily, this isn’t hard. Luckily, a lot of our loyal visitors have already been doing this for decades. Best of all, it’s easy to remember how: 

Leave no trace

If you enjoy the unspoiled beauty of Ucluelet, that’s because a lot of people have tried hard not to spoil it. Be an unspoiler. Bringing disposable, single-use, wrapping, or packaging? Please don’t. The only thing you should throw away is the idea that there is a place called “away.” Pretend we have no garbage cans. If you see someone else has left a mess, tell yourself you’re cleaning it up for your next visit.

Respect the locals

All of them. For the animals and plants, treat them as kind hosts whose home you’re graciously being allowed to visit. Admire and enjoy them safely, from a distance. Leave the shells and flowers alone: don’t shoplift from mother nature. And for the people who call Ucluelet home, treat them like the friends you hope will always invite you back to their place. If you do, they will.

Book ahead

We all  love the freedom of last-minute plans or no plans at all, but we hate it when we don’t get to do what we want. A small town like Ucluelet fills up quickly, and even when there really isn’t room for more people, it doesn’t ever feel downtown crowded. So if you really want to see Ucluelet in the summer, you’ll need to be less spontaneous: please book ahead.

And if you can’t find just the right place for you and your group on the dates you were hoping for here this summer, remember: there are three other seasons every year. They may have a little less sunshine, but there’s just as much to see and do. Beat the rush: book now!

All we ask is that you treat Ucluelet like what it is: a small, friendly place between ocean and forest. We know why you love it here, and with your help, we can keep it that way. You’ll always be welcome to visit as often as you’d like. That will never change.

For more suggestions on how to love it like a local, meet our very own Salty, the Sea Otter. He’s got a lot to say. See you soon!

As the winter storms subside, and our ancient sea-dwelling cousins return to these waters for a while, it’s your turn for a small migration. Going out on the water to watch the whales – or sea lions or sea otters – is a way to see a world mostly spared from human touch. From a safe and respectful distance, we can be completely fascinated by these animals – even as they are perfectly indifferent to us.

There may be no easier way to see wild animals where they belong than from a whale watching boat. If you insist on hiking for hours or paddling long stretches to earn a glimpse of wildlife, you can. But if your stay is short, or you’re unsure of your knees or arms, then a walk to the dock will be the first steps to changing the way you look at your planet. The sight of these creatures, unafraid and unthreatening and in their home, will stay with you long after you’ve returned to yours.

Between March and May, nearly 20,000 grey whales move from their breeding grounds near the Baja Peninsula to their feeding grounds in the Arctic. To celebrate this season, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival takes place in early Spring and offers marine life education, First Nations cultural workshops, and more.

Back onshore, Spring is impatient and eager to show you something new in every direction: new plants sprouting from the forest floor, new buds and flowers, new signs of life in the birds’ nests and bear dens. This a sensitive and fragile time for all young, living things. Please be quietly respectful as you visit and admire them.

And please remember that any day in Ucluelet can bring any or all of the four seasons, so be prepared by packing layers! In any weather there are fun things to do here. A rainy day visit to the Ucluelet Aquarium is a perfect way to learn more about the local waters, even if you’re not out on them.

When we stand safely along the trails and platforms in a winter storm, well wrapped against the wind, why are we so drawn to chaos? Could it simply be the power of the storm, like the visceral force of standing in front of the speakers at a live show or at the edge of a Formula One racetrack? Or is it that we feel our own strength as we steady ourselves against the gale, the energy rising through our feet, restoring us as we stand our ground?

It could be the endless motion: the trees swaying steadily, the sea erupting like a geyser or a Vegas fountain, explosions of saltwater fireworks, each wave showing off its best moves over the rocks like kids in a skate park. In time, though, the rhythm becomes clear: it isn’t chaos at all. Like everything in life, the uproar will rise and fall with each season, and however fierce, in time be nearly forgotten. Like the rocks and the seagulls, we will get through it and be ready when it comes again.

And after some time watching the wind and waves at work, you will feel it reshape you, too: stress washed away, stale thoughts blown out to sea, new room made for fresh ideas. All that energy and rhythm and sound gradually, but inevitably, will restore you. Want proof? Science says the steady crash of waves will leave you awash in negative ions and pink noise, bringing you calm, restoring your creativity, even inducing a calm meditative state. You can look it up online, but please don’t. Stormwatching is the antidote for screen time. Forget about the status of your batteries: it’s time for your soul to be recharged.

Before you head our way and into the wind and rain, be sure to book a place to rest your head, curl up next to cozy fire and reserve your well-earned meals. Everything tastes better, and everyone sleeps better after storm watching: part of the fun is planning your rewards.

Storm watching is the ocean’s chance to show its rhythmic and raw power, but it can be unpredictable and no friend to the careless. We want you to have positive memories, so please stay on the paths, viewing platforms and off the rocks. By all means, admire the waves hurling against the lighthouse, but do it from a safe distance — you never want to find yourself caught between the waves and the lighthouse. If you’re out for a stroll on the beach, go at a low tide, watching for potential waves and loose debris moving around.  Log jumping is not an activity we encourage.

Finally, even though it doesn’t typically snow in Ucluelet, the road conditions can change suddenly because of the high elevation at this time of year. Avoid surprises by checking Highway 4 conditions on DriveBC before leaving home.