Though neighbouring Tofino’s been given much of the spotlight in the past, Ucluelet on Vancouver Island’s rugged east coast is ready to shine on its own.
surf: You must either surf or learn to surf when in Ucluelet. Stop at Wya Point Surf Shop for a wetsuit and board, grab local instructor extraordinaire Tyson Touchie and hit Wickanninish/Kwisitis Beach for some stellar waves. That surf bug everyone talks about? You’ll be bitten for sure. Recover after your session with a fresh wrap and onion rings at Wya’s cafe. Wya Point Surf Shop, 2201 Pacific Rim Hwy., Ucluelet, 250-726-2992, http://wyapointsurfshop.ca
sup: Standup paddle boarding is one of the best up-close-and-personal ways to explore Ucluelet’s shores. Push off at the beach in front of the Wya Point Resort, gain your bearings and balance, then take a couple of big strokes through leafy kelp beds to remote sandy coves and tide pools. Wya Point Resort, C2460 Willowbrae Rd., Ucluelet, 250-726-2625, www.wyapoint.com
hike: The Wild Pacific Trail follows the shoreline through old-growth forests of cedar, hemlock and spruce, with plenty of lookout points to the Pacific along the way for picturesque photo ops. It’s lovingly built and maintained by Ucluelet legend Oyster Jim, who is a true delight (and also happens to own a superb fish shop in town). Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet, 250-522-0008, www.wildpacifictrail.com
soak: Take a 90-minute charter boat ride from Jamie’s Whaling Station to Hot Springs Cove, watching for whales, sea lions and puffins along the way. Once docked, it’s a 30-minute stroll via a wooden walkway (take care not to slip) through Maquinna Provincial Park to the cove, where small hot pools await to soothe your muscles (with a recommended plunge into a cold pool to boost circulation). Pack a lunch to purge any post-dip hunger pangs. Jamie’s Whaling Station, 606 Campbell St., Tofino, 250-725-3919, www.jamies.com
Feels good to be so at one with nature. —May Globus
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