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Clayoquot Sound – The region has made headlines across the world for its environmental events. Old growth forests, some of the last of its kind in the world, was about to be logged... when the people of Vancouver Island and BC took notice and spoke out. Today the forests and the wildlife attracts many visitors to the area by land and sea every year.

Boating the west coast rainforest region is full of exploring clusters of inlets, which is a good thing, because it offers protection to the boaters from the outside coast ocean swells and winds!

Clayoquot Sound is an environmental haven showcasing some of the best west coast boating routes including an opportunity to cruise about 20 miles inland on Vancouver Island. Boaters exploring the region will have an opportunity to view massive ladders of waterfalls dropping from coastline cliffs, Black Bears rolling over rocks looking for crabs and... should... make a visit to the steaming natural pools located at Hot Springs Cove.

A boating adventure could include a hike on Meares or Flores Islands - just off the coastline of Tofino. Cruising the waters observing a Grey Whale or Orca breaching off the bow , Bald Eagles soaring down from high above, Porpoises leapfrogging beside your boat with barking Sea Lions basking under a morning sun is a treat worth traveling for. All this boating bliss is rewarded with some fine anchorage points with pristine sandy beaches in private coves surrounded by virgin rainforests.

Boating Clayoquot Sound is a unique matrix of inlets, channels, coves, peninsulas and islands located directly north of Tofino BC, Canada on the west side of Vancouver Island. The geography of Clayoquot Sound enables boaters to choose between two travel routes.

The inner passage cruising behind Meares and Flores Island tends to be more sheltered with calmer tides and friendlier climate conditions. The outer passage is exposed to the winds and tidal currents of the Pacific Ocean which can can get rough and unpredictable for many boaters who are unprepared.

Repeatedly, we caution to plan ahead and have good tidal and navigation charts for this region... and always check the weather conditions. The west coast includes a mix bag of weather conditions especially in the shoulder seasons including heavy winds, high surf, deep swells, changing currents and dense fog. The high season of May to August is best for boating Clayoquot Sound.

A Clayoquot Sound boating route that seems to be popular is completing the whole circle tour - inside and outside passage. The route includes some highlight destinations like Coyote Cove, Hoo-la-Kootla, Ahousat, Dolphin Cove, Gods Pocket and Whitepine Cove.