Nootka Island

Nootka Island is a large island off the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, forming the outer shoreline of Nootka Sound. The island and its surrounding waters are remote, rugged and historically significant for early contacts between European explorers and Indigenous Nuu-chah-nulth communities.

Visitors come for sea-kayaking, wildlife watching, fishing and to visit historic sites associated with late 18th-century European exploration and the maritime fur trade. The island has inlets, coves and sheltered anchorages but few services, so trips are typically by private boat or organized expedition.

The island is part of the traditional territory of Nuu-chah-nulth peoples and lies off the central west coast of Vancouver Island; the nearest larger settlement on Vancouver Island is the town of Gold River and access is by sea or charter from coastal communities.

• Historical significance: Site of historical encounters between European explorers and Indigenous Nuu-chah-nulth people in the late 18th century, important for maritime history.
• Access and facilities: Access is by boat; the island is sparsely populated with limited facilities so visitors need to be self-sufficient and mindful of local regulations and private land.