Ukee’s many charms
Ucluelet on Vancouver Island contains charm without crowds
UCLUELET, B.C.- For visitors to Vancouver Island, Tofino is often the top go-to spot. But they’d be remiss not to make the 30-minute drive south and spend a day touring the trending (not trendy) coastal town of Ucluelet. Ucluelet (pronounced yew-kloolet or just “Ukee” as locals call it) has all that wild West Coast charm without the crushing crowds.
The beach: A 10-minute drive south from Tofino you’ll find the spot that drew visitors in the first place: Long Beach (Pacific Rim Hwy.) Stop here and stroll along its 16 kilometres of sandy shoreline, and see how many wetsuit-clad surfers you can spot bobbing in the swell.
The statue: Once you hit the edge of town, keep your eyes peeled for a giant bronze statue of the lady holding a raven — and then stop. Ravenlady (1801 Bay St.) is a fancy food truck dedicated to the West Coast oyster in all its deliciously prepared incarnations: fresh, fried, smoked or poached. A must-eat experience.
The gift shop: Carry on along the main drag and take a sharp left down asteep hill towards the waterfront; at the bottom, you’ll find the Crow’s Nest (205 Main St.) A maze of knickknacks and souvenirs, this glittery gift shop also has an amazing artsupplies section and goods by local artisans. It’s a fun place to poke around, especially if you have kids.
The aquarium: Another good bet for families (or anyone, really) is the new Ucluelet Aquarium (180 Main St.) With an aim to raise awareness about the diversity of local marine life, the aquarium lets guests actually handle many of the sea creatures on display. And at the end of the season, they release every last sea star back into the cold coastal ocean.
The trail: Now that you’ve seen what’s under the sea, it’s time to appreciate the beauty of looking out over it. The well maintained, familyfriendly Wild Pacific Trail (Marine Dr.) gently winds its way along nine kilometres of rocky shoreline, passing by 800-year-old trees and offering those wet and wild views Vancouver Island is famous for.
The bar: With a thirst worked up from all that outdoor exercise, walk the last leg of the trail straight into Black Rock Oceanfront Resort (596 Marine Dr.) and its spectacular glasswalled bar, Float Lounge. Sitting directly above the crashing waves below, enjoy a well-deserved pint of local beer as the sun sets on a day well spent, off the beaten tourist path.
Emma Yardley’s trip was partly sponsored by Tourism Ucluelet and Black Rock Oceanfront Resort, which didn’t review or approve this story.