Kyuquot must be visited to truly understand the history here. You will get a sense of just how long this site has been lived in by the Nuu-chah-nulth people. You must come to experience their culture. At one time Kyuquot had 2 salmon canneries and a whaling station.
The area had settlers building lives all up and down the area inlets, logging and fishing were going full steam and the canneries were busy. There are some 300 first nations residents and a few others of settler ancestry who call Kyuquot home now, but the population increases during the summer months. Fishing and logging have been declining lately but tourism has been taking up the slack, Kyuquot is the hub to base out of for kayaking adventures.
You can load your gear onto the uchuck III in gold river, and they will deliver you with your kayaks right to the village. Kyuquot has several bed and breakfasts, a motel and restaurant, a general store, a Red Cross medical clinic, phone service, boat charters and a water taxi.
Kyuquot Sound is an awesome place to head out into the wilds of the BC Coast. In the old-growth forests, you could see Marbled Murrelets nesting n the moss that lays thick on the branches. Huge herds of elk graze beneath these giant trees while black bears devour fruit on the berry-rich shrubs as they wait for the salmon to head up the rivers and streams to spawn.
The area is home to many sea otters, They have luxurious coats, and these coats almost brought them to extinction. In the 18th century, they were mercilessly exploited until only a few remained. They are protected now, and their numbers are good. During the 70s, 100 sea otters were relocated from Alaska to Vancouver Islands North West Coast where they proliferated. Life was good for these sea-going creatures and now there are around 3000 sea otters living in the waters around Kyuquot, you can see a place where they raft in big numbers not more than 5 minutes out from the dock.
Sea otters live in small groups in shallow waters, particularly around kelp beds that are rich in shellfish, fish & other marine life. Kelp is also useful when they sleep at sea, they will wrap it around themselves to stop them from drifting. While you are out watching the otters, keep an eye on the shore where there is a good probability to see a sea wolf.
