My Encounters with the Coastal Grey Wolf

I was thirteen years old the first time I saw them.

I was riding my bike alone down Grice Bay Road near Long Beach. It was a quiet day, the kind of overcast that makes the rainforest feel even more mysterious. Suddenly, a pack of wolves—at least eight of them—stepped silently out onto the road in front of me. They were calm, focused, and utterly unbothered by my presence. For a moment, time stood still. I was mesmerized. Then, just as quietly, they disappeared into the trees, and I turned around and rode home, heart pounding.

That was nearly 30 years ago, and that memory is still with me.

Since that day, I've been lucky enough to see wolves many times in Clayoquot Sound. Always from a respectful distance, always with a feeling of awe. They appear when they choose—never by accident, and never when sought too hard. There’s something ancient about them. If you’re fortunate enough to see a wolf in the wild here, you know: you’ve been gifted a moment.

Coastal Grey Wolves are unique to the Pacific Northwest. Living on land and sea, they’ve adapted to a marine diet, feeding on fish, seals, and deer. They swim between islands and roam the rugged coastline with the quiet power of an animal perfectly in tune with its environment.

But their importance in this region goes far beyond biology.

To the Nuu-chah-nulth people, who have lived in balance with this land and sea for thousands of years, the wolf is more than just an animal. Wolves are family, teachers, protectors. Their values of loyalty, cooperation, and courage are deeply woven into Nuu-chah-nulth teachings.

Wolves are not just seen, they are revealed—when they choose to be. There’s an understanding here on the coast that some things are meant to remain wild and unknowable. The wolves remind us to listen more, to watch more carefully, and to remember that we are not alone in these forests.

While we never guarantee a wolf sighting, guests on our tours have occasionally been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a Coastal Grey Wolf. These moments are rare, and always deeply moving.

Each encounter I’ve had has felt like a gift—a glimpse into the spirit of this place, and a reminder of the wild wisdom that lives in these trees, this ocean, and the stories that came long before us.