Nootka Island Trail: A 6 day Adventure with Thrilling Wildlife

Hiking the Nootka Island Trail: A Complete Trip Report

The Nootka Island Trail is a remote coastal trek on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Spanning approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) from Louie Bay to Yuquot (Friendly Cove), it’s a challenging yet rewarding adventure offering pristine beaches, rugged shorelines, and glimpses of lush rainforests.

Less traveled than the West Coast Trail, it provides a true wilderness experience with opportunities to spot wildlife and explore significant Indigenous cultural sites. Accessible only by air or water, this trail is ideal for experienced hikers seeking solitude and natural beauty.

In this guide, you’ll find essential tips for planning your journey, including route highlights, safety advice, and packing recommendations. Prepare to immerse yourself in the wilderness of Nootka Island, my new favorite coastal hike.

 

 

 

Planning

 

Distance: 35 kilometers (22 miles)

Elevation Gain: Minimal, with some moderate ascents and descents

Trailheads: Louie Bay and Yuquot (Friendly Cove)

Duration: Typically 4 to 6 days

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous; expect tidal crossings, slippery rocks, and rough terrain

Permits: Bring Cash to pay in Yuquot, but permission from the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations is recommended.

Campsites: No designated campsites; wilderness camping only. No bear caches or outhouses.

Best Time to Hike: June to September for favorable weather

Transportation: Accessible by floatplane or water taxi from Gold River or Tahsis

Wildlife: Common sightings include black bears, wolves, whales, and sea otters.

 

 

Resources:

• Explore Nootka Website
• There is a trail fee per person payable to the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations Band to provide access to their facilities at Friendly Cove.

 

How to Book:

• Nootka Island Hiking Pass – There is a trail fee per person payable to the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations Band to provide access to their facilities at Friendly Cove.
• Float plane required, we took Air Nootka.
• We hopped on the MV UCHUCK III back to Gold River.

 

Trip Report

 

Introduction

Nootka Island Trail is my favorite experience hiking on Vancouver Island so far. Nootka had its own unique challenges even though there was not much elevation gain. It was a hot trip with no rain. It amazes me the diversity from trail to tail. I have hiked almost all the overnight coastal hikes and it surprised me how different the vegetation and shorelines can be around every corner.

There is something too raw and real out here compared to the WCT and NCT. There are fewer people hiking at any given time and to see the remote culture in Yuquot feels so rich. I was very grateful for the experience I had on this trail.

 

 

Day 1: Drove to Gold River – Air Nootka to Louie Bay (Starfish Lagoon) – 1 k

Me and my partner left Port Alberni at 7:00 – 7:15 to arrive at 10:30. A packing note, Air Nootka needs your fuel outside of your bags, so don’t be shoving it in there just yet! 11:30am was our float plane ride with Ait Nootka. We were meeting a group of 4 other people to share our ride with. It was a sunny HOT day and it turns out we were in for a bit of a heat wave weather. The plane ride was amazing! We basically flew across the entire trail and saw all the journey ahead from above. We landed in the lagoon effortlessly then pushed the float plane away and waved goodbye.

It was a 1k hike to Third Beach, our first camp spot. Some people day hike 5k to Tongue Pt. Some people said 1 hour each way, another person said 3 hours. We decided that it was really hot out and we would enjoy where we were. Third beach was such a stunning beach. We found the best camp spot in the shade. We loved the sea art from previous hikers.

 

Day 2: Third Beach to Calvin Falls – 12 k

Oh baby it was hot out. Nootka Island Trail is mainly beach walking with few trails inland here and there. It’s nothing like the West Coast Trail or the North Island Trail. It is definitely easier and more chill, but you are exposed the the elements a lot more. This was a 5 hour hike to Calvin Falls… a lovely water source with a beach swimming pool. 

 

The Melt Down

This day was so hot, we got to camp and I couldn’t even do anything. My partner was like let’s claim our tent spot and set up. I nearly freaked out at him because I was so overheated and that seemed like the worst thing to do. It was a small fight but I wont because I was so exhausted that I started to cry. I just needed some shade man and cool off. I think the weather was 40 degrees, for Vancouver Island that is really hot.

We found a shaded spot to rest near the falls and took a much needed swim. After that, all was well and I found a new life. Once I was feeling good again and I was hydrated and fed up, we sat and enjoyed the day by the falls. All of a sudden a random plane was flying close to where we were and ended up landing on the beach!! It was a bizarre sight and everyone was wondering what the heck was going on.

 

A Random Plane Vist

The plane had markings indicating the plane was from the US. It seemed like a rich couple on a date. Wow, what a cool spot to come to. We ended up walking over to check it out and they were super nice people.

We set up the tent and settled down the evening soaking in all the magic of the trip so far.

 

 

 

Day 3: Calvin Falls to Callicum Creek – 14k

Our trip plans were originally from Calvin Falls to Beano Creek with the water source only at low tide. this was 11k but we decided to push to Callicum Creek which was only an extra 3k. At Beano Creek it had to be low tide to pass and we took off our socks and shoes and weighted across.

 

The Day of the Whales

The hiking journey was full of life. We stumbled across whale bones that have been there for a long time. Super cool to see. Then before we were approaching our destination there sadly was a head whale on the shore. It had been there for a long time and smelt horrific. We hiked really fast to get out of the area.

Arriving at camp we nestled into the cozy beach. There were already a few groups here. It was tight and small but still a luxury. The best part was the amazing water source down the beach. Earlier on our trip we found a bouy (a Wilson buddy) and adopted it for the rest of the trip. It was super useful because we ended up using it for our bear cache. On this coastal hike you need to set your own bear cache with a rope in a tree. We tied our rope through our new friend and was able to throw our rope over a branch very easily and it was a lot of fun.

 

Meditation and Wishes

Night fell and we were sitting by the fire. The next day was my partner’s birthday. Earlier in the day we decided that the next day we would pack up our stuff and camp one beach over for a leisure play day. Today was a foggy day and as I was sitting by the fire, I started to meditate and I made two wishes for tomorrow – my partner’s birthday. The first wish was I wanted the sun to come out at least for the evening. My second wish was for a crazy nature experience to happen. Nothing too crazy right?

 

 

Day 4: Callicum Creek to the Beach Next Door – 0k

I just need to start off by saying, this was the most epic, crazy, amazing day ever. We woke up (happy birthday honey) and casually moved our stuff one beach over as the rest of the hikers packed up to move on. Some people looked confused and we just waved with a smile. We filled our waters up for the day, and kept our bear cache set, but grabbed our food to have at camp until we needed to set it back up for the night.

 

Beach Separation

Firstly, I have some important things to explain to really paint the picture for you. Callicum Creek (Beach 1) and the next beach (Beach 2) were separated from each other completely at high tide. This meant that we were secluded from the water source and bear cache at certain points in the day. We had to plan and note where we wanted to be and when. The tide went out in the morning and slowly rose up all day cutting us off from the rest of the campers showing up to camp at Beach 1.

The day was foggy but super enjoyable. It’s such an intense feeling being at this beach. There was an insane rock wall behind us, small caves between beaches 1 and 2, and an epic rock lounging spot we enjoyed.

 

Enjoying His Birthday

As we were eating our dinner the sun decided to come out… wish number one complete. We were so happy! I gave my honey his birthday gift and we were in the moment loving every minute of our time. We only had a bit of time before we could restock our water and put away our food for the evening so we could make it back before high tide between the beaches. We built a fire on the back side of our lounge rock that acted as a bench to enjoy the fire. The sun was started to set and it was going down fast. Then all of a sudden my partner shouts my name, “Karysa! Look!”

 

The Bear

Oh yup, hello, we have a friend coming to join us. A large fellow bear made it around the corner with just enough time just before the high tide splashed the rocks. Now the bear was closed in and could only come our direction, or so we thought. This was my partner’s first hiking trip ever and was really in for a treat. I tend to be the calm one who has to tame the people I’m with to not do something impulsive. We decided to gather our belonging at put everything in the tent, head as close as we could to the shore line to create room for the bear to pass by.

As soon as we gave the bear some room he started to run. We were thinking, great! Well turns out, bears don’t like fire and it got scared as soon as it came close it ours and turned around and ran towards beach 1… then it swam in the ocean to Callicum Creek. Sorry other campers!!

 

The Oh Shit Moment

As woah crazy as that already was, I sat there for a moment and a light bulb went off within me.  Earlier in the day when we were enjoying secenory, I literally walked in a bear’s footsteps and mocked its past actions. Along the rock wall in the same direction I was pretending to be the bear… haha no joke. “Oh yeah, I’m a bear dumb de dumb. Oooo, scratch my bum here, wiggle my way over here, scratch my bum on the rocks here… and oooo this looks like a nice place to lay down.”  IT was exactly what the bear did and in the same direction. I suddenly realized something. “Oh my god, this is its home.”

Now the wheels start turning. I think that the bear is going to go up and around and sleep RIGHT THERE tonight. The evening had now turned to dark and we were faced with a scary moment of “oh no” and we had nowhere to go. There is literally a rock wall behind us, the beach is small with only this spot to camp comfortably. We had to come up with a plan.

 

 

We decided to build a fire on the other side of our tent and have both of them burning to hopefully scare it off from coming to our tent as we “try” to sleep. That is what we did and really all we could do. We got into our tent and listened to the waves crash on the shore. The rock wall behind us acted as an amphitheater which made the waves sound so loud. We kept our ears open for any mysterious sounds. As the night faded, we finally fell asleep.

 

Day 5: Bear Beach to Sunrise Beach – 8k 

We woke up with relief that all was well.

We got out of our tents and “AHHH!!!” the bear was there!

It was sleeping next to us.

It decided it was also a good time to wake up and headed out to the low tide sea shore looking for breakfast. I think its safe to say both my wishes came true.

Packed In Water

It was time to continue our hiking and today was roughly 9 hours of mainly shoreline. The major part of this day was we decided that it was best to fill up our water in the morning from Callicum Creek and pack it all the way to Sunrise Beach. I read in past trip reports that there is not a close water source at this beach and you had to hike further and then at that point might as well camp at that spot.

I like to camp in the beautiful spots that are less likely to have people there. It was a long hard day with all that extra weight.

 

Chicken In the Woods

Just before camp, we found some mushrooms I had never found before. It was chicken of the woods! I was almost sure but at the same time didn’t want to risk it being my first time potentially trying it. When I got back sure enough I was right and we could of had a meal but in the moment wasn’t worth the risk.

We got to Sunrise Beach and set up. It was a lovely spot and it was a great last night. My partner is a wood carver and made us a wooden spoon. We got creative and made our camp extra fun. There was a lot of random stuff on the beach and we found a plastic bowl and decided to hit the ocean rocks. We found some mussels and cooked them on the fire. It was a really nice treat. Red tide is a thing in the summer on Vancouver Island and we didn’t even think of it till after. I don’t recommend doing this. Eating the mushroom could have been safer but it was just fine and we did not get sick.

 

Feeling Thankful

We were now thankful we packed in our water. Other groups were starting to hike in, sadly asking where the water was and that they were out. Don’t forget we hiked this during a heat wave. Another group hiked in and asked for water. I almost gave them some of mine but all the groups decided to push further. We sat and enjoyed our last night on Nootka Island.

 

 

Day 6: Sunrise Beach to Yuquot – 8k

We soon realized why this beach was called Sunrise Beach. Early in the AM, the sun-blasted our tent and we had to get up. We had 3k to finish the trail which was about 2.5 hours of hiking.  We crossed a low tide section at Tidal Lagoon and had to take our shoes and socks off and walk through the water. This day was so much pebble beach it was hell. In the blazing hot sun too.

We passed by a small camp on a pebble beach were it seemed to be the last camp spot everyone pushed on to the day before. I was happy I didn’t camp there because it was all an explosed pebble beach with not a great water source. I’d much rather a nice sandy beach with a forest. it was the final stretch to Yuquot. 

 

 

Yuquot

As we approached the grassy fields, there were people and dogs everywhere. A woman approached us to pay our fees. We handed her our cash. We brought some extra and bought a burger from the only house there. There was a wood carver working away in his workshop which was super fascinating to us. We checked out the area and waited for the boat to come down Nootka Sound.  3:00 pm be had to be at the boat dock. 3:30 pm the boat leaves. 

 

The MV UCHUCK III

The boat ride was actually so amazing and we got to regroup with the ladies we started the trail with and tell each other about our adventures. We didn’t camp at all the same spots every night. I didn’t take any pictures of videos at this point and just sat back and enjoyed the views and the breeze. You could buy snacks on the boat and sit up top on the sun decks. At 5:30 pm we arrived at Gold River. We then started our venture back home.

 

 

 

Watch a short Video of My Nootka Island Trail Trip

 

Major Key Points

 

• Plan & learn the tides.
• Filter your water & know where your water sources are.
• Secure your food in the provided bear caches.
• Pack the right gear but only what you need.
• Leave no Trace – respect the environment.
• Bring Cash to pay trail fees.
• Plan for the weather.
• Bring some cash burgers.