This itinerary is for couples who want more than a nice hotel and more than just a list of hikes and viewpoints to check off. This weekend is designed to balance exploring the town and its surrounding wilderness with having time at your accommodation to soak in the tub, relax in the sauna, and connect with your partner. If I could re-do my honeymoon this trip would be a top contender.
Things to Know Before You Visit Ucluelet
- Book the whale watching tour before anything else. This is the anchor of the itinerary, and it books up fast in peak season. Lock it in first and build everything else around it.
- The drive is part of the trip. Ucluelet is about 4.5 hours from Victoria and roughly 3.5 hours from Nanaimo via the Pacific Rim Highway. The stretch through the mountains and into the rainforest on Highway 4 is one of the best drives I've done anywhere in the world, and there is enough to see on the way to make the commute take all day.
- Pack for all weather. The coast here is famously unpredictable. A morning that starts in thick fog can turn into blazing sunshine by noon, and vice versa. Bring layers, a rain jacket, and shoes you don't mind getting wet or muddy. Everything on this itinerary works in the rain, and some of it is actually better for it.
- Check the tides. Several of the best spots, like the tide pools at Terrace Beach, the Wild Pacific Trail headlands, and Florencia Bay, are significantly better at certain tide levels.
Where to Stay In Ucluelet
I'm usually happy in a cheap motel or a rooftop tent when I'm on Vancouver Island, but for this trip, you're going to want a little more luxury. Luckily, Ucluelet has no shortage of that, and it doesn't come with too high a price tag.
When choosing an accommodation here, there are a few things to consider.
- Amenities: This itinerary is built with plenty of time to take advantage of saunas, hot tubs, or fire pits. These are all really common features in most hotels here.
- Breakfast: The food scene in Ukee is good, however, prioritize somewhere with breakfast included so you can soak up a slow morning together before heading out for the day.
- Honeymoon layouts: The last things to consider before booking a hotel is the layout. Many hotels sport honeymoon layouts with bathtubs in the middle of the room and washrooms with little privacy. Depending on your comfort level, take a look at the room layout before you book.
If you can get a room at Snug Harbour Inn, that would be my top pick, but they do book up fast. This is where we stayed on our last visit, and it was honestly more romantic than our honeymoon was. They have a beautiful property with jaw-dropping ocean views that can be seen from your room, the hot tub, the sauna, or their private beach. Breakfast was incredible every morning, and the couple who run the Inn are amazing.
If it's all booked up, here are a few other options that check all the boxes for the romantic staycation we're aiming for.
Blackrock Oceanfront Resort
Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is the front row seat for stormwatching and has some of the best coastal views in good weather. Their full suites include king beds, spa-inspired bathrooms, gas fireplaces, and private balconies. You can spend your downtime in the outdoor hot tubs or the ocean view plunge pool. Also, the on site restaurant has you covered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.Check Availability
Forest Sweet Retreat
Forest Sweet Retreat is located just a short walk from Little Beach and offers a spacious guest house with one bedroom and a living room. You will have the place to yourself and can enjoy the privacy outside on the terrace, balcony, and garden. You can also take advantage of your own hot tub and wood-fired sauna. Book soon because this property is almost never available.Check Availability
Pacific Soul Eco-Luxe
Pacific Soul Eco-Luxe Vacation home offers beachfront access and stunning views from their sea side terrace. The suites are spacious and come with fully equipped kitchens and spa-style baths. Outside your suite, you can also enjoy the fireplace, barbecue, and outdoor dining area. Check Availability
Calmwater Retreat
Calmwater Retreat is located just steps from Terrace Beach and offers spacious holiday homes with fully equipped kitchens. You can relax in their spa facilities that include a hot tub. Additional amenities include an electric vehicle charging station, outdoor seating area, and free on-site private parking.Check AvailabilityWhere to Stay (Before It’s Fully Booked)
Friday: The Drive In and First Night
Morning: Ferry Ride and roadside stops
Try to book as early a sailing as you can manage so you can make the most of the commute. Check out our full guide for more details about all the best stops along the way.
If you don't have time for all of the stops, I would prioritize stopping at Wildflower Bakery for brunch/lunch in Port Alberni, Taylor River rest stop for a dip in the river, and Florencia Bay for your first romantic long walk on the beach.
Afternoon: Check In & Check Out The Town
After you get off the ferry, the drive to Ukee is about 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on how many slow campervans you get stuck behind. So your arrival into town will really depend on when your ferry gets in and how many stops you make.
If you get in before the evening, I recommend dropping off your bags and checking into your hotel before heading out for a quick explore of the town.
This might not take too long because boy, is this town tiny! The 'downtown,' if you can call it that, is just a few blocks built up around the old dock. Before the highway was built, Whisky Dock was the only way in and out of town and most of the points of interest are still concentrated here.
There is a surprisingly great collection of niche stores and consignment shops. Alia always finds something she likes in these shops, and I usually get kind of bored and walk down to re-read some of the plaques by the dock.
If you're a plaque reader, honestly, don't skip these ones. They have really cool information about the early days of Ukee and the relationship with the indigenous people. There are also some stories about Emily Carr's visit here and a fun trivia fact that explains why it's called the Whisky Dock (no spoilers here).
For dinner, Ucluelet Brewing Company is a great first-night spot. They have solid food, locally brewed beer, and a relaxed atmosphere that will ease you into your romantic weekend escape.
Evening: Break In The Amenities
Head back to the hotel, watch sunset from the balcony, and take full advantage of whatever combination of sauna/hottub/firepit amenities you've booked.
Saturday: The Big Day
9:00 AM: Coffee and Breakfast
Ideally, you will have a slow, cuddly morning and have your coffee and breakfast at your accommodation, but if your accommodation doesn't offer this or you're a caffeine fiend like me and need a second cup, head into town and get a latte from the Foggy Bean.
In my opinion, they do the best coffee in town, and the food is good too, but personally I always go for the Foggy Bean latte and then combine it with a breakfast sandwich from Barkley Cafe (which is across the street).
10:30 AM: Whale Watching Tour
This will probably be the highlight of your whole weekend, if not your whole year. The waters around Ucluelet are legitimately world-class for marine wildlife spotting. Thousands of grey whales migrate through from March to May, humpbacks are a regular summer presence, and orca sightings happen year-round. It's not one of those "hopefully you'll see something" tours. You almost always see something, usually several things, and those things are straight-up majestic.
The two main operators in town are Jamie's Whaling Station and Cameron's Ocean Adventures. Jamie's offers both Zodiac and cabin cruiser options. The zodiac is fast and bumpy and exposed, which can be fun and adrenaline-filled, or a bit of a mess in bad weather. The cabin cruisers are a bit less exciting, but they are fully covered, heated, more comfortable, and more practical for families.
The tour takes about 3 hours, and you will spend the next 3 days talking about how epic it was.
The tours are $180 per person, so it is a bit of a splurge, but it's completely worth it. The first time I saw a humpback breach right in front of me, I had a legitimate cartoonish gasp come out completely involuntarily.
If the tours are out of your budget, Ucluelet is surrounded by beaches, and spending a few hours hopping between them is a great way to spend the day.
- Big Beach is a pretty quintessential Ucluelet coastline. Rugged, sharp, unpredictable, and wild. This is a great place for a short walk or a little fire on a calm day and a famous storm-watching beach on a nasty day. It's never really ideal to swim here with the way the waves are fully exposed to the Pacific swell and crash in along the rocks in violent and unpredictable ways. This isn't my top pick for spending a beach day, but if it's your first time in Ucluelet, then it's definitely worth at least a quick stop to check it out.
- Terrace Beach is the quieter counterpart, tucked in and sheltered compared to the full exposure of Big Beach. The energy is mellower, more peaceful, and a great spot to take a moment. If you're travelling with kids, this is a great beach for tide pool exploration.
- Little Beach lives up to its name. It's small, it's calm, and it's easy to overlook in favour of the bigger spots, but don't. This is my go-to spot if I'm looking to do some serious lounging. This is a prime spot for a camp chair and a cooler full of something cold to sip on, and it's one of the few beaches in the area that's good for a casual swim.
1:30 PM: Lunch and A Light Walk
For lunch, I would go to Yayu Cafe, but anywhere in town is great.
After lunch, go for a walk/hike and talk about how you can't believe how many whales you saw. You have a few options for getting some steps in, and it depends on how long a walk you're looking for.
- The easiest option is taking on the Lighthouse Loop. It's a 3.1 km loop starting from the gravel parking lot on Coast Guard Road, and most people are done in 45 minutes to an hour. The trail winds through mossy rainforest before opening onto the rugged, wind-swept headlands above Barkley Sound, passing the Amphitrite Point Lighthouse.
- The medium option is walking a short portion of the Wild Pacific Trail. This requires driving out to the trailhead and parking alongside the highway. If you want to do my personal favourite version, follow both the Wild Pacific Trail to Rocky Bluff, and Rocky Bluffs via Ancient Cedars. The second map is poorly labelled because it actually doesn't go to Rocky Bluffs. But I like to follow the first map out to the bluffs and then cut back towards the trailhead and turn off to follow the second map down to around the Artists Loop section. This section is my personal favourite stretch of trails since it has some of the best uninterrupted views, and I usually turn back soon after the "Crows Nest" lookout. That's my personal favourite, but you really can't take a wrong turn on this beautiful trail, so don't worry too much about it.
- The hard option is a longer walk on the Wild Pacific Trail. For this, you can follow the AllTrails for Wild Pacific Trail: Brown's Beach to Rocky Bluffs. It starts in town at Brown's Beach and goes all the way up to the sweeping views at Rocky Bluffs. The round trip is about 7.4km, 101 meters of elevation gain, and will take about 2 hours.
4:00 PM: Back To The Hotel
Head back to the hotel. Shower up, grab a bathrobe, a book, a glass of wine, or a spot on the patio. Whatever helps you relax. It's been a tiring day, and don't forget that this trip is just as much about staying in and cozying up as it is about exploring the area.
6:00 PM: Dinner
If you're heading back into town for dinner the top spots for are Pluvio and Heartwood Kitchen. These are both top notch restaurants known for amazing food and excellent service. Guaranteed to impress your partner.
But I personally sometimes prefer a little takeaway. If you booked a place with a nice patio, then you probably already have the best seat in town. Shipwreck pizza is an easy win if you want some cheesy goodness brought to the door, or Papi's Cantina has incredible Mexican food, and Ukee Snack Shack is spot-on comfort food. Papi's delivers, but for Ukee Snack Shack, you will need to rock, paper, scissors to decide who needs to change out of their bathrobe and go pick it up.
After you eat, spend the rest of the night doing whatever the heck you want. Sauna, dip in the sea, beer in the hot tub, or a couple of episodes of trashy reality TV. It only needs to be romantic for you and your partner. It doesn't need to make sense to the rest of us!
Sunday: The Last Morning Done Right
9:00 AM: Breakfast and A Slow Morning
If your accommodation handles breakfast and coffee, then you're all set, but if not, I recommend sending an emissary out to collect some takeaway coffee, treats, and breakfast sandwiches from The Break Cafe & Bistro.
Enjoy your last morning here and don't be afraid to squeeze the last bit out of the amenities if you want another sauna session before you check out.
If you've had enough of your hotel and want to just get on with the day, I would recommend starting out your day with Heartwood Kitchen for handmade, big portioned breakfast classics.
11:00 AM: Tie Up Loose Ends & Head Home
Now is your chance to do anything we've mentioned that you haven't done. If you did the whale-watching tour, consider hopping around to a few beaches. And if you opted for one of the longer walks on the Wild Pacific Trail, consider taking a trip around the Lighthouse Loop.
If you missed Florencia Bay on the way in, make sure to make a stop on the way out. I know the whole area can be described as stunning or gorgeous, but this bay is really something special and worth the parking fee and the staircase.
Make sure you're giving yourself lots of time to get back to the ferry. Between slow-moving vehicles and construction slowdowns, the drive time varies greatly for every trip. We usually plan enough time to make a few stops along the way, and then if we get stuck on the highway for a while, we're just cutting a stop and not missing our sailing.
Weekend Itinerary at a Glance
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Friday | |
| Morning | Ferry ride + roadside stops (Wildflower Bakery, Taylor River, Florencia Bay) |
| Afternoon | Check in, explore Whisky Dock & town |
| Evening | Dinner at Ucluelet Brewing Co. → sauna/hot tub/fire pit |
| Saturday | |
| 9:00 AM | Slow morning — coffee & breakfast at accommodation (or Foggy Bean + Barkley Cafe) |
| 10:30 AM | Whale watching tour (~3 hours) |
| 1:30 PM | Lunch at Yayu Cafe |
| 2:30 PM | Walk/hike — Lighthouse Loop, Wild Pacific Trail, or both |
| 4:00 PM | Back to hotel — decompress, bathrobe, wine, patio |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner in or takeaway (Papi's Cantina or Ukee Snack Shack) |
| Evening | Sauna, hot tub, do whatever feels right |
| Sunday | |
| 9:00 AM | Slow breakfast — accommodation or The Break Cafe / Heartwood Kitchen |
| 11:00 AM | Tie up loose ends — beaches, Lighthouse Loop, or last sauna session |
| Late morning | Head home — allow extra time for the drive, stop at Florencia Bay if you missed it |
Final Thoughts
We've done a lot of weekend escapes around BC, and this is definitely one of the most romantic. The accommodations here are luxurious in a cozy and charming way, and not in an elitist and intimidating way, and Ukee has just enough going on that you have something to do, but is sleepy enough that you don't get any FOMO spending a night in your hot tub, instead of being out and about.
The whale watching will probably be the moment you talk about on the drive home. The Wild Pacific Trail might spark a hiking hobby you never pictured for yourself. And the slow mornings and evenings watching Netflix and chatting with each other will be the real highlight.
If you've been wanting to get away but aren't sure how to approach the planning, run this plan by your partner and take a look at some of Ukee's unique hotels together.
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