Days
<1
Motors Allowed?
Yes
Difficulty
Easy / Class A
Distance
12.00 km (7.46 mi)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Ucluelet Harbour is a calm inlet that runs northwest of the town of Ucluelet. Sheltered from the worst of Pacific weather, it is generally calm, with gentle currents, and makes for a lovely spot to explore. For many it is a much calmer, less skill-intensive alternative to the Tofino Harbour gauntlet of whalewatching zodiacs, fisherman, water taxis, and float planes.

At the first major intersection in Ucluelet, follow Seaplane Road to a terminus dirt parking lot. There is a public boat launch here, the Pat Leslie Ucluelet Public Boat Launch. For kayakers, there is easy access to a shell-strewn beach. Good water shoes are recommended. Best to leave your boat here and park 100 meters up the road to stay well clear of the boat trailers coming and going. From here, it's often best to head north up the inlet. You'll pass old-growth forests with the occasional home hidden in the woods. Abandoned wrecks make for curious points of interest. There is also often logging barges being loaded and plenty of fishing boats heading out on the southeastern end of the inlet closer to Tofino. Be sure to keep to the shallows to avoid conflict with other boats.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Spring

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Quiet. Beautiful views. Marine wildlife.

Cons

Some boat traffic.

Pets allowed

Allowed with Restrictions

Put-in location (lat, long coordinates)

48.94945, -125.55859

Take-out location (lat, long coordinates)

48.94945, -125.55859

Water Temperature

50.00 °F (10.00 °C)

Features

Family friendly
Vault toilet
Picnic tables
Boat ramp(s)
Big vistas

Trail type

Loop

Access

Vehicle

Typically multi-day

No

Shuttle required

No

Portage required

No

Location

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.