Top Things to do in Barkley Sound
What to do and see in Barkley Sound, Vancouver Island: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Barkley Sound, British Columbia including Wild Pacific Trail, Brady's Beach, Florencia Bay, Pacific Rim Distilling, Ucluelet Aquarium, Amphitrite Point Lighthouse, Pacific Rim Visitor Centre, Kennedy Lake Provincial Park, Thornton Creek Hatchery, Kwisitis Visitor Centre.
Restaurants in Barkley Sound
1. Wild Pacific Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,689 reviews
The Wild Pacific Trail is located in Ucluelet and is a seven phase trail system skirting the rugged cliffs and shoreline of the west coast of Vancouver Island. Overlooking Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands to the east and the open Pacific Ocean to the south and west, it offers spectacular shoreline panoramas and seaward vistas through ancient cedar and spruce-framed viewing platforms constructed on the best headlands along the route.
Reviewed By 369PeterR - Toronto, Canada
We did the Wild Pacific Trail in two parts. On two mornings, by 7 AM my spouse and I did the 2.5 km light house loop portion of the trail. It took us about 50 minutes, including a few stops to take photos. It is an easy walk with a little bit of up and down. One day in the afternoon we also walked the segment of the trail from Brown’s Beach as far as it would go. This was about 8 km round-trip. It was a beautiful walk, sometimes through rainforest and sometimes along cliffs overlooking the ocean. The trail is very well-maintained and almost entirely a gravel path. We love it. Despite walking the trail on a holiday long weekend, it was not busy at all.
2. Brady's Beach
3. Florencia Bay
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By gwt75 - Vancouver, Canada
In height of tourist season (summer 2020), we showed up at this beach and only one other group there. Massive beach with some fun tidal pools at low tide.
4. Pacific Rim Distilling
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
Luke is a fourth generation distiller and has refined old family recipes for the modern palate. All spirits are fermented with our own wild yeast culture originating in Barkley Sound. We are a true hand crafted distillery using no automation with our 100% BC sourced ingredients. Come in and try a free sample of our exceptionally smooth spirits. If the sign is on the highway we are open.
Reviewed By fayerj1 - Duncan, Canada
Owner/operater is an easy-going conversationalist -- third generation, and a super nice person-- who is passionate about the products he currently offers ... Humpback Vodka, Lighthouse Gin and the most aeromatic, soothing Hand Sanitizer I've had the pleasure to use. And, it won't be drying out your hands! Ingredients are all locally cultivated. * Learned a few things with what goes on 'behind the scenes' at a distillary producing top-quality products.
5. Ucluelet Aquarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 838 reviews
We are open for the season as of May 1st, 2021! The Ucluelet Aquarium is a catch-and-release aquarium dedicated to raising awareness and respect for the local ocean environment.
Reviewed By A3353WYheathers
This was my second visit to the town of Ucluelet, but I couldn’t fit in the aquarium then, so it was on my list for this visit. We arrived right at opening, as did numerous families right behind us. We three adults in their mid-sixties were as excited as the little ones to experience this small marine treasure! All the tanks are fed directly by piped-in ocean water. Marine plants, fish, and creatures are collected for the season only and retuned to the ocean by divers at seasons’s end. Young marine biologists and ecosystem workterm students staff the facilities and conduct research throughout the summer. A variety of fish live in a large pool in the centre. Around that are separate tanks that hold a variety of species and biodiversity - anemones, starfish, sea cucumbers, urchins, an octopus, jellyfish, and many kinds of fish. Most exciting for everyone, however, was the opportunity to explore a number of tanks where you could reach in and touch some of the species, after washing your hands of residue. That was a unique experience! This is not a tourist trap for families, but rather an educational experience for all. When you’re in Ucluelet, thus is a must-do activity!
6. Amphitrite Point Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 880 reviews
Reviewed By EkMusafir - Pune, India
The short and squat lighthouse having a height of barely 20 feet is strategically located at the south western tip of the coastal town of Ucluelet on Vancouver Island. The building is painted white and the light tower is bright red giving it a very charming look. It gives an impression of a loyal and lonely sentinel guarding the rugged coastline against the savage onslaught of the merciless Waves of the mighty Pacific. It is appropriately named ‘Amphitrite’, a Greek mythological character who was a sea Goddess and wife of Poseidon, and who could keep the sea calm and provide safe passage through the storms. We walked to the lighthouse by following the Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet Lighthouse Loop, which is a beautiful forest trail hugging the coastline at the south end of Ucluelet. It is a 2.6 km circular walking trail with spectacular scenery, and the lighthouse is located at the midpoint of the trail, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. To the left we could see the small wooded islands of the Broken Group in the Barkley Sound, and to the right is the open ocean. One can also take a short direct walk from the parking lot if one is short of time, but then you would miss the spectacular views along the trail. There are many informative sign boards and a number of benches on the trail to relax and enjoy the breath taking views. One cannot enter inside the lighthouse which is still in operation, though now it is fully automated. Earlier it used to be manned by the Canadian Coast Guard.
7. Pacific Rim Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
The Pacific Rim Visitor Centre offers a primary arrival and meeting destination for those venturing to the Pacific Rim region on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Immediately following your drive over the Pacific Rim Highway (Hwy 4) from Port Alberni, you will reach our headquarters at the Junction between Ucluelet and Tofino. Our wheelchair accessible facilities offer a staffed Visitor Information Centre, a Parks Canada center, large maps of the region, public WiFi, secure garbage and recycling boxes, public restrooms, and plentiful parking for both RV's and regular vehicles.
Reviewed By PullmanCougar - Pullman, United States
Got much needed information from people at the counter. Can buy the National Parks Pass for Pacific Rim or the overall pass there. They have a few souvenir items for purchase. Bathrooms were clean. Gave me a small map and tide tables. Very helpful people.
8. Kennedy Lake Provincial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By 690sf - Vancouver, Canada
Kennedy Lake is an expansive & awesome body of water to look at; kayak or canoe on; fish from, or dip one’s body into. In fact, it is the largest lake on Vancouver Island. I feast my eyes on this majestic body of water — the result of inflows from Kennedy & Clayoquot Rivers — each time I travel past it en route to the ocean community of Ucluelet on Canada’s West Coast. This last December/January I was fortunate to be in its thrall on 4 occasions, while driving Highway 4, which cuts pass it to get to & from Ucluelet, & is the only land route providing access to Ucluelet & neighboring Tofino. Highway 4 makes its way between, & past, steep mountain cliff on the one side, & the large lake on the other side, for the last leg of the journey from Port Alberni to the two ocean communities, or the first leg of the trip, if one is traveling the other way — with the nuance being whether one turns left & South to Ucluelet at the very close by junction — some 8 kms distance away — or right & North to Tofino — some 35 kms away. On one of our very early family visits on immigrating to Canada to this spectacular landscape, the sight of Kennedy Lake beckoned so strongly that we could not resist turning off the highway to take a dip in the cool and exhilarating water. The lake is situated in a Provincial Park, so many come to swim, boat or fish, as well as back-country camp. Of course with overnight camping much care needs to be taKen, as others drawn to the place are bears, cougars & other wildlife which populates the region, but with precautions around one’s food storage & the like, a truly uncommercial adventure can be had. Most visitors are day-visitors. The park provides a picnic area for day-visitors, pit toilets & a boat launch. It is just some 15 mins from Ukee, as Ucluelet is known by locals, so an easy trip for residents, who may want to exchange for a short time their ocean water activities for those experienced in fresh water. It is also fairly close to Tofino & relatively close to Port Alberni, the town East of Ukee, before the summit one climbs to get to the coast & is a town which in many ways can be seen as the gateway between East & West Vancouver Island. Kennedy Lake is memorable, whether you breathe in its majesty from afar, or stop for a visit. Posted by S Fuller
9. Thornton Creek Hatchery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By Spiderdog - Cheshire, United Kingdom
We were on a road trip and staying in Ucluelet during the salmon run season. Visited following several recommendations and we arrived at 10am just as it was opening. There was excitement as volunteer staff had seen a couple of black bears and a wolf in the previous half hour! We were lucky enough to visit when it was quiet and we spent quite a while watching two bears ( Mother and a young bear) while they were in the water catching salmon. You can view the river from a raised boardwalk and we got some good video which we have watched a lot since. The volunteer staff are very helpful and knowledgeable and we were happy to make a donation as no entrance fee is charged. A great place for bear watching if you are there at the right time. The overall setting makes it a good place for viewing wildlife but there is now limited opportunity for public access as they don't want wildlife to become too tame or used to humans.
10. Kwisitis Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By MKH000 - Calgary, Canada
Really enjoyed the displays and learned new things. Observation deck to look out over the Pacific as well as direct access to several different types of beaches through short trail walks. Nice veterans memorial as well. Gift store has a great selection of reasonably priced books along with other items.
