Ucluelet is a charming town located on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It's often overlooked by tourists, since the popular surf and luxury retreat town of Tofino is located just a 20 minute drive away. We love visiting Ucluelet, as it has an authentic west coast vibe and feels off the beaten path. It's worth adding this fishing village as a stop to your Vancouver Island itinerary. We list the 8 best things to do in Ucluelet that make it stand out.
What to do in Ucluelet |
8 Best Things to do in Ucluelet
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1. Start off your morning at a local's cafe
Ucluelet has a few quirky coffee shops to choose from. Grab a cup and hangout among the locals.
Best Coffee: The Foggy Bean
The Foggy Bean is a local sustainable coffee roaster with their roots in Ucluelet. They have a small coffee bar located in a repurposed historical church.
Best breakfast: Barkley's Cafe
Barkley's Cafe has delicious breakfast options, such as breakfast ciabattas and breakfast burritos. If you want to start your day off with a kick, they also have specialty coffees with Baileys or whiskey :o.
Best baked goods: Zoe's Bakery & Cafe
Zoe's Bakery and Cafe serves delicious baked goods, such as flatbreads, croissants and cinnamon buns. They also serve Drumroaster coffee, which comes from a family-owned coffee roaster located on Vancouver Island. The inside of the cafe feels bright and airy with lots of plants.
2. Eat lunch at Jiggers Fish & Chips
Save room for lunch and get Jigger's delicious fish and chips from their food truck. The fish was fresh and the batter not too greasy. It's also a great value with their generous portion sizes.
3. Visit Canada's first collect-and-release aquarium
Ucluelet Aquarium is a fun place to visit and learn about local marine life. The non-for-profit aquarium aims to promote awareness of the biodiversity of local waters. Some of the fish and crustaceans are wacky and really cute. Wait until you see the heart crab!
Important note: Ucluelet Aquarium is closed for the season and will reopen in March, 2021.
4. Go boutique shopping
Ucluelet has a couple cute boutique shops. Don't miss The Den, a sustainable goods and refill shop, which carries housewares, holistic wellness products, vintage items and products from local artists.
5. Walk the Wild Pacific Trail lighthouse loop
Around the Ucluelet peninsula, there is a 2.6km walking trail that gives stunning views of the rocky coastline, ocean, forest and lighthouse. The active lighthouse was built in 1915 and watches over Barkley Sound. Come at sunset to see gorgeous colours light up the sky and ocean. The loop should take you 30-45 minutes and is rated easy for difficulty.
6. Dine at the award winning Pluvio Restaurant
Pluvio Restaurant was named Canada's 4th Best New Restaurant by Air Canada enRoute Magazine in 2020. They focus on using natural ingredients from the region and their dishes change throughout the season. You can either choose from a three-course menu (with different options) for $78 or a five-course chef's tasting menu for $98. The chef's tasting menu also has an optional wine pairing for $48.
We chose the chef's tasting menu with wine pairing and it was amazing. Each one of our dishes was outstanding and beautifully presented. Our standout dishes were the steelhead with vadouvan butter & sidestripe shrimp and the beef short rib with hazelnut miso caramel. Absolutely delicious!
The restaurant also has a small boutique hotel with just four rooms, making it a cozy and intimate west coast experience. Each room has luxurious features, such as a king sized bed, rain shower, balcony, and furniture and art made from local artisans. It's located in the heart of Ucluelet making it easy to explore the town.7. Go Bowling
Howler's Family Restaurant and Amusements is a fun place to go on a date or out with friends or family. They offer 5-pin bowling, pool and vintage arcade games.
Please note: due to the ongoing pandemic, bowling and pool were put on pause. Call ahead and ask if they are open to avoid disappointment.
8. Stay in a cozy cabin
Experience the West Coast by the staying in a wooden cabin in the rainforest. This is fun to do at all times of the year, especially when it's stormy and you can bundle up by the fire or soak in the hot tub!
We have rounded up some of the best cabins on Airbnb in Ucluelet:
Lazy Bear Cabin
- ⭐ Airbnb Rating: 4.96
- Superhost: ✔️
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- IG: @foggymoonlazybearucluelet
The Sapling Cabin by Evergreen Forest Cabins
- ⭐ Airbnb Rating: 4.91
- Superhost: ✔️
- Minimum stay: 3 night minimum
The Nest by The Cabins at Terrace Beach
- ⭐ Airbnb Rating: 4.91
- Superhost: ✔️
- Minimum stay: 2 night minimum
- IG: @cabinnation
We hope you enjoyed these fun things to do in Ucluelet! If you are also considering visiting Tofino, see our list of the top 17 things to do in the surf town.
Planning a west coast itinerary? You should also consider visiting the two bohemian islands, Galiano and Salt Spring, located between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Check out our travel guides here: