Links
Attractions
Used by the Ahousaht people for thousands of years Walk the Wild Side Trail is an 11km (22km round trip) escape into the remote wilderness of Clayoquot Sound. First restored in the erly 1990's, Walk the Wild Side Trail has developed into a must see ecotourism destination for theose visiting Tofino and Ucluelet. Take a tour through Maaqtusiis Village and then head out on the trail with your Ahousaht Heritage Trail guidebook for the ultimate cultural experience
Gift Stores
You local and natural wild seafood store. We are conveniently located in the heart of Tofino on the waterfront. Here you will find the largest selection of smoked salmon as well as other unique gift items. Tel: 250-725-2557.
Enter the Himwitsa Art Gallery and view some of the world's most sought after award winning fairly traded masks, carvings and jewlery. Each creation has a story to tell. We are First Nations owned and operated, specializzing in fair trade First Nations artwork handcrafted by our region's most talented and inovativenative artists.
Listen.... one has a story for you.
Tours & Charters
Welcome to Atleo River Air Service seaplane and helicopter charters. Specializing in breathtaking scenic flights throughout Clayoquot Sound, Barkley Sound & the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Whether your adventure plans consist of fly-in fishing, whale watching, hot springs, remote wilderness camps, hiking, bear watching, beach drop offs, surfing or a Tofino vacation, our high quality, professional floatplane and helicopter service will assist you anyway we can.
Whale Watching in Clayoquot Sound
Operating in the pristine coastal environments of both Tofino and Ucluelet, Jamie’s Whaling Station has been captivating adventure seekers from around the world since 1982! Our waters boast grey and humpback whales, transient orcas, sea otters at play, seals, porpoise, sea lions and every tour offers engaging commentary by our experienced and knowledgeable crew. We also offer bear watching, tours to Hot Springs Cove, kayaking, scenic flights, hiking, sunset cruises and beach drop-offs. We have the largest fleet in the area, including comfortable 65’ cabin cruisers and high-speed, state-of-the-art 29’ zodiacs. We have gift shops at both locations, lots of free parking, including Motorhome/RV parking, and complimentary dog kennels too! Ask us about our guaranteed sightings policy!
- Experience our First Nations culture, our home and what we do today.
- Exchange stories and enjoy traditional Aboriginal foods; talks with elders, artists and singers.
- Gather seafood, harvest chiton from the reefs the First Nations (Ahousaht) way, and
- Fish for the tyee.
- Explore the Ahousaht Hahoolthee for spiritual connections, eagles, whales and other local happenings in the First Nations traditional territory of the Ahousaht.
We put you first with our SAFE, CONVENIENT & AFFORDABLE service
We offer daily scheduled flights between Sechelt and Nanaimo, Tofino and Hot Springs, Tofino and Ahousaht, as well as charter services in and around the West Coast including Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
You benefit by our pilots over 30 years of combined flying experience and exceptional knowledge of the surrounding West Coast terrain. Whether it's for work or play our caring Tofino Air team will assist you with booking a seat, provide detailed information on charter services and suggest scenic flights to some of the most spectacular scenery imaginable.
Clayoquot Sound has enough wonder for a lifetime of exploration. We’re delighted assisting kayakers in charting new waters and seeking new destinations. When coming for a taste of west coast kayaking, there’s a good reason to visit the Kayaking Center.
Whether its your first or fiftieth time kayaking your experience should be comfortable, safe and fun. Many of the titles at Wildside Booksellers can help you get a jump on learning the basics of kayaking, provide information on local kayak routes and natural history of the area. From our eclectic outdoor store pick up any last minute gear before you head out. Need a shot of espresso to start you on your way, our baristas can get you hooked up with your preferred coffee and freshly baked accompaniments. Visit our Store & Accommodation page to learn more about all we offer.
Interested in renting a kayak for a day excursion or longer, chat with a friendly face behind the counter, they’ll help you find a kayak that’s right for your style while outfitting you with top gear to keep you comfortable. Need to plan your exploration, before embarking visit our kayak centre which provides a wealth of information that has been compiled by our guides over the years to give you some local insight into the area. Visit the Rentals page to see our requirements.
Prefer having a professional guide who can show you the ropes, provide insight about the area and ensure a safe exploration of the waterways. Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic booking staff can explain the variety of tours we offer and where they will take you, so we find the perfect tour to meet your interests. Visit our Tours page to see what we offer.
There are miles of coastline to explore, every inch containing a new opportunity to discover the natural wonders of the west coast….
Other Links
Ahousaht means people of Ahous, a small bay on the west side of Vargas Island in Clayoquot Sound. Ahousaht can be translated to mean ‘people living with their backs to the land and mountains on a beach along the open sea.’ Ahousaht First Nation territory encompasses much of Clayoquot Sound with the village of Maaqtusiis (Marktosis Indian Reserve IR #15) being the only reserve or village site inhabited year-round. Ahousaht First Nation has 25 reserve sites within the nation’s territories, all accessible only by float plane or boat.
About NEDC
The Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) was incorporated in 1984 to assist the Nuu-chah-nulth to achieve economic and social independence through the contribution of financial assistance and advisory services to individual and tribal business development initiatives. In 1997 eligibility criteria was expanded to include all Aboriginal people residing and operating within the Nuu-chah-nulth territory. NEDC is incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act as a not-for-profit organization. The corporation is exempt from income tax under section 149 of the Canadian Income Tax Act