Article

Ucluelet (BC)

Published Online August 7, 2008

Last Edited April 29, 2015

Ucluelet, BC, incorporated as a district municipality in 1997, population 1627 (2011c), 1487 (2006c). The District of Ucluelet is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, 175 km northwest of Victoria, at the entrance to Barkley Sound.

Ucluelet, BC, incorporated as a district municipality in 1997, population 1627 (2011c), 1487 (2006c). The District of Ucluelet is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, 175 km northwest of Victoria, at the entrance to Barkley Sound. The name, meaning "people of the sheltered bay," in reference to a well-protected landing place for canoes, is taken from the Nootka language and was adopted in 1861. Ucluelet was incorporated as a village in 1952.

Wooden Jetty
Empty Wooden Jetty to the Fishing Harbour, Ucluelet, British Columbia. Photo taken on: July 3, 2014. 47941694 \u00a9 Alpegor | Dreamstime.com
Ucluelet Trail
View along the trail on the Pacific Ocean around Ucluelet, British Columbia. Photo taken on: November 22, 2008. 13238462 \u00a9 Brianat | Dreamstime.com
Amphitrite Lighthouse
Historic Amphitrite Lighthouse in Ucluelet, Vancouver Island, part of the Wild Pacific Trail. 32848684 \u00a9 Howard Sandler | Dreamstime.com
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Nearby geographic features include the Broken Islands, Long Beach and Florencia Bay (all part of Pacific Rim National Park) and Amphitrite Point, the site of the Tofino Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) centre and a lighthouse (built in 1912-13). The unsheltered waters off Ucluelet are subject to severe winter storms and the many shipwrecks in the area are a testament of the ferocious weather. On 26 Dec 1905 the British ship Pass of Melfort was driven ashore during a storm at Amphitrite Point, killing all aboard.

Ucluelet's main industries are lumbering, fishing, fish processing, tourism and government services. Canada's one-day record rainfall total of 489 mm was set here on 6 Oct 1967.