Connect with Ucluelet’s dynamic community this spring
Ucluelet’s creative community blooms in spring, mirroring nature. The misty coastal forest lights up with the first hopeful buds of wild berries and carpets of early-season flowers. As the flora awakens, so too do our residents, from Ucluelet’s human inhabitants to black bears, humpback whales, orcas, and birdlife; this is a community where all inhabitants coexist.
As you arrive in Ucluelet, you arrive in the traditional territory of the Yuuʔułʔiłatḥ (means Ucluelet First Nation) who have stewarded these lands and waters for millenia. To learn more about coexisting with wildlife during your visit in a way that is respectful and safe for all, this video, created by Yuuʔułʔiłatḥ youth as part of the Warrior Program, is a fantastic place to start.
Ucluelet’s Food Trucks and Restaurants
The strength of connection to place and people in Ucluelet is shared through stories and smiles in family-run businesses with small teams. You’ll no doubt feel the warmth of an energetic shift into spring as opening hours extend, new ideas are launched, and doors reopen renewed after winter’s rest.
In particular, Ucluelet’s food scene showcases the passion and diversity of our culinary entrepreneurs. You’ll find classic accompaniments to time at the beach at Jiggers, serving fish and chips, burgers, and poutine, while taco cravings can be satiated at Papi’s Cantina. Cedar & Salt Restaurant is all about the slow-cooked pit barbecue, and you’ll want to go to Shipwreck Pizza or Abbondanza to grab a takeaway pizza for the sunset.
For seasonal wild foraged ingredients and seafood, Pluvio is a top destination restaurant well worth travelling to Ucluelet for. Locals love the intimacy of the space, the unexpected ingredients, and the down-to-earth, knowledgeable staff. Colourful beverages and fresh spring flavours are also found at Yayu Cafe. Ucluelet’s food truck scene, found downtown at Peninsula Road and at the Junction on the Tofino Ucluelet Highway, begins to reopen for the spring and summer. Food trucks include Kikan (nourishing dishes of Eastern influences), Sub 49 (smoked meat and vegetarian sandwiches), and Puna Empanadas.
The Makers and Creators that call Ucluelet home
Many artists and creatives call Ucluelet home—tapping into the awe and inspiration of the landscape, despite the challenges of living in this rugged and remote place. Visitors looking to transport a piece of Ucluelet home with them will discover creative endeavours rooted in sustainable practices.
The Den is a purveyor of natural products with a commitment to reducing waste, and also stocks postcards and other home goods by Ucluelet artists. At Foraged, dive into racks of curated spring vintage and consignment sourced from all over the Island and, most recently, Paris. Kay Ceramics offers intentionally hand-built contemporary ceramics, along with stocking original works by other makers and textile artists.
Share in local stewardship practices
Then there are Ucluelet’s fantastic environmental organizations, non-profits, and ocean-going tours and fishing charters that energize the community while centering the protection of the coastal landscape that is loved so deeply. Spring sparks research trips, more events, and new programs, and entices guests to experience it for themselves.
Swing by Redd Fish Restoration Society’s shop on 1728 Peninsula Rd for a coffee to immerse yourself in all things wild salmon and biodiverse, sensitive ecosystems. In the store, you’ll find nature guides, identification booklets, flower presses, and other goods perfect for taking on hikes. Keep an eye on their calendar for all kinds of public events.
From the new Amphitrite Interpretive Centre near the Lighthouse, and the four main car parks for the Wild Pacific Trail (Whale, Lighthouse, Brown’s Beach and Big Beach), the Wild Pacific Trail Society partners with other local organizations on fun, educational community programs. They also host guided nature walks with naturalists on different coastal themes.
For wildlife watching enthusiasts, the likes of Cameron Ocean Adventures, whose founder was born and raised on the water here, strike the balance of insider knowledge of the best locations and responsible wildlife encounters. For the surfers, Surfrider Foundation has also launched its anticipated ReSurf Program at the Blue Barrel in Ucluelet. A space to promote circularity in the surf scene by providing a place to repair and recycle gear.
Curate your own serene solo adventure
Beyond Ucluelet’s tour operators and friendly locals, it’s easy to cultivate your ideal coastal escape in the quieter spring season. Indulge in the slowest of mornings with a pastry at Break Cafe & Bistro, the ultimate breakfast bagel at Big Wave Cafe, or a Ucluelet-roasted coffee at Foggy Bean Coffee Company. Head out afterward for a walk along the Wild Pacific Trail. Pause at the platforms along the “Artist’s Loop,” whether you have your sketchbook in tow or are just seeking a superb, quintessential West Coast view.
As you wander through Ucluelet’s wilderness and tight-knit community, we hope to inspire visitors to immerse in our community and wild landscape in a way that is respectful to people and planet. Always be wildlife aware. If you’re travelling with your four-legged friends (dogs are most welcome here!), keep them on-leash with wildlife in mind or make a stop at Frank Jones Memorial Park Off-Leash Dog Park. Pick up after yourself and your pup. There are plenty of doggie bag stations and bins at beaches, trailheads, and around town.
Pack to be prepared for shifting weather. Ucluelet in the spring can bring warm, sunny weather, but being on the coast means you can see four seasons in a day. Bring extra layers, a rain jacket, and sturdy shoes if you’re going hiking. Always pack out what you pack in, be aware that there are some areas with limited cell service, and remember to abide by campfire bylaws and summer fire bans.
