It is absolutely possible to make your way here to the wild west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada, to relax amidst the old-growth rain forest and crashing waves of the open sea, without breaking your budget!
While there sure are extravagant and luxurious experiences to be had here in Ucluelet, if you take some time to get a few things in order, it’s entirely do-able to discover all the charm and adventure that this amazing place offers, while staying within a respectable travel budget.
Here are some insider tips on how to visit Ucluelet on a shoestring budget...
#1 - Visit Ucluelet in Off-Season
When summer is sizzling, and most of everyone takes their holidays, the cozy, coastal town of Ucluelet is teeming with tourists, out for an adventure of a lifetime. But if you are able to make arrangements for your travel time to be during the shoulder or storm season, you will find that not only will your wallet be given a break, but you will be able to get to experience even MORE of Ucluelet!
How is this so?
The line-ups, and wait-lists for local wildlife adventure tours are nearly non-existent, and with fewer passengers to accommodate, the tour guides are often more apt to spin some yarns about the amazing adventures they’ve had out at sea.
Also, there are often “specials” offered on wildlife tours, when the tour operators are no longer at fully capacity and are hoping to get a few more butts in the seats. Locals here in Ucluelet really do love sharing this amazing place with travellers from far and wide, because Ucluelet has so much to offer! Make sure and plan to stay an extra day, because you will surely want to explore so much more!
And if you haven’t already heard; storm watching is all the rage these days with adventure-seekers, and Ucluelet has the most epic stormy seas to see!
The rocky bluffs and tree-lined horizons make the perfect backdrop for watching the fury of the powerful Pacific ocean in all of her blustery, winter glory. Plus, storm watching season is especially appealing from an affordability stand-point because this is considered “low-season,” and therefore you will find high possibility of grabbing yourself a great deal with the tours, accommodations, local restaurants.
This leads us to the next tip:
#2 - Take Advantage of 5 & 7-night Stay Accommodation Discounts
If the nightly rental costs during the summer months are too rich for your current financial palate, why not check out the extremely affordable Ucluelet accommodation deals that happen in the off-seasons.
Many times, the local rentals will offer exceptional deals for guests staying for 5+ nights. And in even better news, you can find a place to stay that have all the amenities of a home-away-from-home, so that you can save a heap on food by cooking and cleaning (using the dishwasher!) yourself.
Or if you are so inclined, there are also options for camping in Ucluelet that you might want to take advantage of if you’re seriously into the whole outdoorsy-thing. There’s nothing more grounding and rejuvenating than spending some time close to the earth and its elements.
#3 - Take a Hike!
When it comes to amazing west coast adventures, there can be a lot of explorations to choose from. There’s deep sea fishing charters, and flight seeing. There’s the astounding Ucluelet Aquarium who love the sea but prefer not to get wet, and surfing or stand-up paddles boarding (SUP) for those who like to get deep into the adventure.
But if your budget keeps your from experiencing everything that you would like to on this trip, why not spend a few hours (or days!) enjoying the simple pleasure of hiking the lushly tree-lined trails that the Wild Pacific Trail has to offer?
This amazing trail happens in 3 parts and has been voted the #1 activity to do on Vancouver Island. Every time you walk this trail, it is different. Each day the sky line changes, the waves churn differently, and there’s always something new to find while strolling amidst the dense rain forest. Walk the weaving path along the rugged Ucluelet coastline, and find your favourite view points from which to watch the waves come crashing in.
Conclusion
Everyone is welcome to come and join us in soaking up the best that this life has to offer here on the edge. You can save money and still enjoy the bounty of the wild west coast by following the tips we have provided above.
We look forward to hearing about your amazing Ucluelet adventures!