Meares Island
Native name: wančas hiłḥuuʔis | |
|---|---|
Aerial view of Opitsaht on Meares Island | |
Map of Clayoquot Sound showing the location of Meares Island | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Clayoquot Sound |
| Administration | |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Regional District | Alberni-Clayoquot |
| Largest Community | Opitsaht |
Meares Island (Nuu-chah-nulth: wančas hiłḥuuʔis) is one of the many islands surrounding the Village of Tofino, British Columbia, Canada. Its name was given in 1862 by George Henry Richards, captain of HMS Hecate, in honor of John Meares. The island is located in the Clayoquot Sound region and is the location of Opitsat, the main village of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations. Meares Island is reachable by boat or water taxi.
Since June 2024, a large portion of the island is covered by the Wanačas-Hiłḥuuʔis Conservancy and the ƛułp̓ic Conservancy.