Several bigger city restaurateurs have opted for the quieter life and provide Ucluelet with exceptional dining experiences not normally found in such small places. Fresh local seafood is naturally an Ucluelet specialty and is featured on most menus. Accommodation varies from cost-conscious selections to secluded, romantic places. Everything focuses on the Pacific Ocean; fishing, whale watching, nature cruises, eco adventures, beachcombing, sea kayaking and diving draw visitors from around the world. Prime time for whale watching vacations is from mid-March to mid-April when Pacific grey whales are on their migration route from Mexico to the Arctic Ocean.

Summer brings national and local artists to the Summer Arts Festival and the Arts School, while Ukee Days features logger sports and children's shows. Nearby Pacific Rim National Park and Long Beach offer miles of sandy beaches, ideal for beachcombing. From the inner harbour, watch the fishing vessels, eagles, sea lions, seals and river otters. Go diving, boating, canoeing, and kayaking in Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands. Walking and biking trails traverse the West Coast rainforest. Barkley Sound and the Broken Group Islands are a stunning setting for British Columbia eco adventures. This is the place where land and ocean meet, developing a tranquil travel destination identity along the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island