The kayaking in nearby Nootka Sound is great. In 2001 we combined a 5 day hike with 4 days of kayaking. Check this trip report.

Gold River has possibly the best spelunking in Canada:

• Upana Caves (about 450 m of passages)
• White Ridge Caves

Nearby Strathcona Provincial Park offers mountain hiking and rock climbing.

Fishing is the biggest draw to Gold River:

• Salmon (especially the Tyee or Chinook) from July to early September
• Halibut
• Red snapper
• Rock & Ling cod
• Steelhead in the Gold River January through April.

Scuba diving & golf (9 holes) is available in Gold River. Anne Fiddick Aquatic Centre (250 283-2216), a pool & fitness center is a good place to have a hot tub soak after returning from the wilds of the Nootka.

You might take some of the other Uchuck ferry tourist trips:

• One-day trips to Tahsis
• Two-day trip to Kyuquot with guided otter-watching

Where can I catch the ferry to Alaska?

If you come to hike the Nootka you are close to one of the best adventure travel bargains of North America — the ferry through the Inside Passage to Alaska. The closest connection to the Nootka is out of Port Hardy on Vancouver Island.

You can sleep for free in the solarium on these ferries and even tent on deck!