Visit the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum and discover their Tonquin exhibit!

Tonquin Exhibit

Tonquin is a familiar word in Tofino, though few know its origins. In the early 1800s many American and European ships came to Clayoquot Sound and other areas along the Western Pacific coast looking to trade with locals for sea otter pelts among other items. Sea otter pelts were especially sought after as a single pelt could be sold in Asia for as much as most sailors would see in a year of wages. The ƛaʔuukʷiaʔtḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) were especially renowned for their skills at both hunting and trading. The price for pelts was known all along the coast. When Captain Thorn sailed into the sound the Tla-o-qui-aht were willing to trade for the known price, but Thorn was not interested in that. Instead, a fight broke out on the deck of the Tonquin that ultimately led to it exploding.

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Hours: The museum hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5 PM

Admission: Admission to the museum is by donation. Any amount is welcome! They accept cash donations as well as credit or debit payments.

Join Heather Feeney, Collections and Exhibitions Manager at the BC Maritime Museum for a fascinating talk about the Graveyard of the Pacific. 

The treacherous waters off the Northwest coast of Vancouver Island has earned its reputation as part of the Graveyard of the Pacific. Natural hazards, unpredictable weather, and a lack of lifesaving infrastructure has led to a calamitous loss of life. While still far from an easy route to travel, improvements beginning with the telegraph trail have dramatically reduced the number of lives lost.

Told through a framework of notable wrecks, follow along the history of the Graveyard of the Pacific from the early days of sidewheel steamers to the development of the West Coast Trail.

This event is FREE, please register HERE. 

Visit the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum and discover their Tonquin exhibit!

Tonquin Exhibit

Tonquin is a familiar word in Tofino, though few know its origins. In the early 1800s many American and European ships came to Clayoquot Sound and other areas along the Western Pacific coast looking to trade with locals for sea otter pelts among other items. Sea otter pelts were especially sought after as a single pelt could be sold in Asia for as much as most sailors would see in a year of wages. The ƛaʔuukʷiaʔtḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) were especially renowned for their skills at both hunting and trading. The price for pelts was known all along the coast. When Captain Thorn sailed into the sound the Tla-o-qui-aht were willing to trade for the known price, but Thorn was not interested in that. Instead, a fight broke out on the deck of the Tonquin that ultimately led to it exploding.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hours: The museum hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5 PM

Admission: Admission to the museum is by donation. Any amount is welcome! They accept cash donations as well as credit or debit payments.

Visit the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum and discover their Tonquin exhibit!

Tonquin Exhibit

Tonquin is a familiar word in Tofino, though few know its origins. In the early 1800s many American and European ships came to Clayoquot Sound and other areas along the Western Pacific coast looking to trade with locals for sea otter pelts among other items. Sea otter pelts were especially sought after as a single pelt could be sold in Asia for as much as most sailors would see in a year of wages. The ƛaʔuukʷiaʔtḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) were especially renowned for their skills at both hunting and trading. The price for pelts was known all along the coast. When Captain Thorn sailed into the sound the Tla-o-qui-aht were willing to trade for the known price, but Thorn was not interested in that. Instead, a fight broke out on the deck of the Tonquin that ultimately led to it exploding.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hours: The museum hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5 PM

Admission: Admission to the museum is by donation. Any amount is welcome! They accept cash donations as well as credit or debit payments.

Welcome back festival-goers! 

The Pacific Rim Whale Festival is an annual event celebrating the return of Pacific Grey Whales to the west coast of Vancouver Island on their Northern migration route. The week-long festival hosts a number of fun events throughout Tofino, Ucluelet, and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Stay tuned for more details about their schedule! Check back regularly for updates. 

The Pacific Rim Whale Festival is a non-profit society that began over 30 years ago with a group of concerned citizens who wanted to create awareness about this pristine ecosystem, the endangered Grey Whale population, and coastal traditions. The festivities each spring are centered around these great ocean giants while focusing on their incredible migration and long-term protection.

Join the Raincoast Education Society next spring for their popular West Coast Ambassador program!

Who is the program for? All local residents including seasonal staff, newcomers, and business owners. All local residents new and old are welcome to participate in this great, free initiative to expand their knowledge of the area and increase their participation in the communities of Ucluelet and Tofino.

Registrations will open in the new year. Stay tuned for more details! 

This FREE program is offered as a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce,  Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino,  The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

While we wait for the 2024 lineup to unfold, the Raincoast Education Society has a video available on their website of the Small Town Big Picture Tofino course. You can access it HERE. 

Photo Credits: Raincoast Education Society

This summer, let interpreters from Parks Canada inspire and fascinate you as you experience all that the region has to offer! 

Discover and explore the tide-pools and rainforest. Feel a fuzzy sea otter pelt. Listen to stories that are older than our ancient trees. See the land and water from a different perspective as you immerse yourself in the cultural and natural treasures of the Pacific Rim. 

NOTE: Public programs are supported through the purchase of a national park entry pass. Programs are presented in English, with special programming available in French.

Stay tuned for the 2024 schedule. Make sure to check back here regularly for updates!

Photo credits: Pacific Rim National Park 

The Wild Pacific Trail naturalists and other local partner organizations look forward to meeting you for walks and events at their Discovery Tent overlooking Amphitrite Lighthouse on the lighthouse Loop Trail section.

The Wild Pacific Trail is a unique outdoor classroom that offers incredible opportunities to connect people to nature. Their seasonal Discovery Tent at the lighthouse offers revolving topics for all ages.

Easy to walk, one-hour programs aim to engage both visitors and local communities. Topics range from natural to cultural history. 

Learning opportunities are offered most days of the week from June until September. Stay tuned for more details - full schedule of events coming soon!

Photo Credits: Wild Pacific Trail 

Join the Raincoast Education Society next spring for their popular West Coast Ambassador program!

Who is the program for? All local residents including seasonal staff, newcomers, and business owners. All local residents new and old are welcome to participate in this great, free initiative to expand their knowledge of the area and increase their participation in the communities of Ucluelet and Tofino.

Registrations will open in the new year. Stay tuned for more details! 

This FREE program is offered as a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce,  Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino,  The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

While we wait for the 2024 lineup to unfold, the Raincoast Education Society has a video available on their website of the Small Town Big Picture Tofino course. You can access it HERE. 

Photo Credits: Raincoast Education Society

The Wild Pacific Trail naturalists and other local partner organizations look forward to meeting you for walks and events at their Discovery Tent overlooking Amphitrite Lighthouse on the lighthouse Loop Trail section.

The Wild Pacific Trail is a unique outdoor classroom that offers incredible opportunities to connect people to nature. Their seasonal Discovery Tent at the lighthouse offers revolving topics for all ages.

Easy to walk, one-hour programs aim to engage both visitors and local communities. Topics range from natural to cultural history. 

Learning opportunities are offered most days of the week from June until September. Stay tuned for more details - full schedule of events coming soon!

Photo Credits: Wild Pacific Trail 

This summer, let interpreters from Parks Canada inspire and fascinate you as you experience all that the region has to offer! 

Discover and explore the tide-pools and rainforest. Feel a fuzzy sea otter pelt. Listen to stories that are older than our ancient trees. See the land and water from a different perspective as you immerse yourself in the cultural and natural treasures of the Pacific Rim. 

NOTE: Public programs are supported through the purchase of a national park entry pass. Programs are presented in English, with special programming available in French.

Stay tuned for the 2024 schedule. Make sure to check back here regularly for updates!

Photo credits: Pacific Rim National Park 

The Wild Pacific Trail naturalists and other local partner organizations look forward to meeting you for walks and events at their Discovery Tent overlooking Amphitrite Lighthouse on the lighthouse Loop Trail section.

The Wild Pacific Trail is a unique outdoor classroom that offers incredible opportunities to connect people to nature. Their seasonal Discovery Tent at the lighthouse offers revolving topics for all ages.

Easy to walk, one-hour programs aim to engage both visitors and local communities. Topics range from natural to cultural history. 

Learning opportunities are offered most days of the week from June until September. Stay tuned for more details - full schedule of events coming soon!

Photo Credits: Wild Pacific Trail 

This summer, let interpreters from Parks Canada inspire and fascinate you as you experience all that the region has to offer! 

Discover and explore the tide-pools and rainforest. Feel a fuzzy sea otter pelt. Listen to stories that are older than our ancient trees. See the land and water from a different perspective as you immerse yourself in the cultural and natural treasures of the Pacific Rim. 

NOTE: Public programs are supported through the purchase of a national park entry pass. Programs are presented in English, with special programming available in French.

Stay tuned for the 2024 schedule. Make sure to check back here regularly for updates!

Photo credits: Pacific Rim National Park