Quick answer
Ucluelet is a small town at the southern end of the Pacific Rim area, a short drive from Tofino. The highlight is the Wild Pacific Trail: start with the 2.6 km Lighthouse Loop around Amphitrite Point, add the Artist Loops if you have time, and visit the Ucluelet Aquarium if it’s open (March to November). Keep dogs leashed: wolves are active in the area.
- Where
- West coast of Vancouver Island, BC
- Population
- About 2,000
- Highlight
- Wild Pacific Trail
- Lighthouse Loop
- 2.6 km
The District of Ucluelet acknowledges the traditional territories, lands and waters of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet First Nation).
Getting there from Tofino
Drive south on the Pacific Rim Highway through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to the Tofino–Ucluelet junction, then continue south to Ucluelet. Route planners put the drive at roughly 40 km. If you stop in the national park on the way, you’ll need a Parks Canada pass.
The Wild Pacific Trail
A clifftop trail along Ucluelet’s rocky coastline, maintained by the Wild Pacific Trail Society.
| Section | Distance / time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Lighthouse Loop | 2.6 km, about 45–60 minutes | Amphitrite Point Lighthouse, open ocean views |
| Artist Loops | 2.75 km one way | Viewing platforms and benches above the surf |
| Ancient Cedars loop | About 15 minutes | Old-growth cedars |
| Rocky Bluffs | About 15–20 minutes further | Rugged headlands |
- Keep dogs on a leash because of wolf activity.
- Drones are prohibited near the lighthouse helipad.
- The trail can close in extreme winds; in big waves, bring a waterproof layer for sea spray.
Amphitrite Point Lighthouse
The first lighthouse here was built in 1906 after the wreck of the Pass of Melfort; the current structure dates from 1915, according to the Wild Pacific Trail Society. It’s on the Lighthouse Loop and is a great spot for sunsets and winter storms.
Ucluelet Aquarium
The Ucluelet Aquarium describes itself as Canada’s first collect-and-release aquarium: local marine life is displayed for a season, then returned to the ocean. It’s typically open from March 1 to November 30, 10 am to 4:30 pm, though dates can vary.
He-Tin-Kis Park
A trailhead for interpretive trails to Terrace Beach and the Spring Cove mudflats, on gravel paths with roots and a hill.
A suggested day
- Morning: walk the Lighthouse Loop.
- Lunch in town.
- Afternoon: visit the aquarium in season, then walk part of the Artist Loops.
- On the way back: stop at Florencia Bay or Long Beach in the national park.
Nearby: the Broken Group Islands
Ucluelet is a gateway to Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands, part of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. See our Pacific Rim visitor guide before planning a paddling trip.
More on the area: things to do in Tofino, Tofino hiking trails and storm watching.
Sources checked November 2026: District of Ucluelet, Wild Pacific Trail Society, Ucluelet Aquarium.
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