History of Nootka Sound

Nootka Sound and the neighbouring area is home to Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations. The story of Nootka Sound stretches from Gold River to Tahsis and begins with First Nations who have inhabited the area for more than 4,300 years.  The tribes were very prosperous and flourished by hunting the abundance of fish and whales, and by foraging. The tribal groups lived along the beaches in long, multi-family wooden… read more

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The first official European contact with aboriginal peoples arrived with Captain James Cook’s third expedition along with his loyal crew, assisted by William Bligh, master of the Revolution, and George Vancouver, midshipman on the Discovery in 1778. The crew on board the HMS Resolution and the HMS Discovery were among the first to step on land and interact with the Mowachat/Muchalahat peoples. Although there were previous expeditions… read more

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The story of Luna, the young Orca whale who called Nootka Sound its home, became famous to the locals when he entered the sound in 2001. Luna was separated from his pod (L-pod) at the young age of 2 years old, lost and alone, he found his way to Nootka Sound and immediately became a notable presence with… read more

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Nootka Sound separates Vancouver Island from Nootka Island.  Historically known as King George’s Sound, the inlet is part of the traditional territory of the indigenous Nuu-chah-nulth people who referred to the area as Mowichat. Captain James Cook’s vist to Nootka Sound in 1778 was the first known European sighting of Yuquot (Friendly Cove). Later a… read more

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