Ucluelet

Photo © Liesbeth1986

Travel Guide North America Canada British Columbia Vancouver Island Ucluelet

Introduction

Ucluelet is a small municipality located on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It has a population of less than 2,000 people. In the language of the local First Nations, Ucluelet means "people of the safe harbour."

Ucluelet is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination. People from all over the world are drawn to the stunning coastal scenery and rich cultural history. From the old growth rainforest of Pacific Rim National Park to sandy beachfronts, and from whale watching excursions to art galleries, this quaint town has something for everyone.

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Sights and Activities

Some of the many things to enjoy in the area include: whale and wildlife viewing, kayaking, surfing, fishing, hiking, biking or skateboarding, diving, sailing, zipline, storm watching, spa services, golfing, bird watching, visiting the Ucluelet Aquarium, shopping, dining.

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Getting There

By Plane

Tofino/Long Beach Airport (YAZ) is located near Pacific Rim National Park and is administered by the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. The airport has three 1,500-metre runways and scheduled and charter flights operate from here. Destinations include Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, Campbell River, Anarcortes and Friday Harbor. Check the following airlines:

For international air travellers, the nearest international airports are in Vancouver (YVR) on the mainland or Victoria (YYJ) on southern Vancouver Island. Other major airports on Vancouver Island are Nanaimo Airport (YCD) and Comox Valley Airport (YQQ).

By Car

From Vancouver
BC Ferries offers service from the mainland (Vancouver) to Vancouver Island at two points. The Horseshoe Bay Terminal in North Vancouver and the Tsawwassen Terminal, south of Vancouver. Ferry service from Horseshoe Bay arrives at Departure Bay Nanaimo, whereas service from Tsawwassen arrives in Swartz Bay near Victoria, or at Duke Point, south Nanaimo. Nanaimo is closest to Ucluelet.

When travelling north from Nanaimo, exit west on Provincial Highway 4 towards Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet. Eventually, you will arrive at the junction of Highway 4 and the Pacific Rim Highway. which runs south 8 kilometres to Ucluelet or north through the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to Tofino. Turn left at the junction.

From Victoria
Take Highway 1 north to Nanaimo. When travelling north from Nanaimo, exit west on Provincial Highway 4 towards Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet. Eventually, you will arrive at the junction of Highway 4 and the Pacific Rim Highway. which runs south 8 kilometres to Ucluelet or north through the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to Tofino. Turn left at the junction.

By Bus

Tofino Bus runs daily service between Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet.

By Boat

In the summer season passenger and cargo vessels can travel from Port Alberni to Ucluelet on the vessel Francis Barkley. It runs 3 days a week, summer only.
If you are coming by private boat, there is moorage available at Ucluelet's small craft harbour.

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Keep Connected

Phone

Post

Postal service is provided by Canada Post, a crown corporation owned by the government but run as an independent business.

To format the envelope of a letter sent within Canada, put the destination address on the centre of its envelope, with a stamp, postal indicia, meter label, or frank mark on the top-right corner of the envelope to acknowledge payment of postage. A return address, although it is not required, can be put on the top-left corner of the envelope in smaller type than the destination address.

The lettermail service allows the mailing of a letter. The basic rate is currently set at $0.63 for one standard letter (30 grams or less). The rates for lettermail are based or weight and size and determine whether the article falls into the aforementioned standard format, or in the oversize one. The rate is the same for a postcard.

Mail sent internationally is known as letterpost. It can only contain paper documents. The rate for a standard letter is of $1.10 if sent to the United States, and $1.85 if sent to any other destination. Oversize or overweight letters may be charged a higher fee

Larger parcels can be shipped via Canada post both domestically and internationally, the rate is dependent on the weight and destination. ^[1]

Federal Express or DHL also provide international shipping from Canada.

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