For thousands of years a safe haven for Natives who fished the ocean in canoes, European influence began with the establishment of a fur trading post in the 1800s. Logging and a sawmill came in the late 1800s, followed by commercial fishing in the 1920s.
Fishing is still a huge part of the economy.
The headquarters for exploration of Barkley Sound and the Broken Islands Group, Ucluelet offers salmon fishing, whale watching, kayaking and scuba diving. The area is famous for its reefs, marine life and shipwrecks, many accessible to divers. Freshwater fishing is on nearby Kennedy Lake, the largest lake on Vancouver Island and one of the best for cutthroat trout. The lake, also great for canoeing and kayaking, has campsites and a boat launch. The festival includes whale watching trips, lectures, hikes and other community events.