These waters represent the birthplace of British Columbia, and the site of the 1789 Nootka Controversy between the Spanish and the British. During July and August, the ship Uchuck III makes day-long cruises through the sound, passing Resolution Cove where Captain Cook first landed; and Friendly Cove, home of the Nootka Indians. Ocean kayakers and canoeists can make arrangements to be dropped off and picked up along the ship's route.
Nootka Sound is on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island. The local communities are Tahsis, Gold River and Zeballos.