The inlet is part of the traditional territory of the indigenous Nuu-chah-nulth people. They called it Mowichat.John R. Jewitt, an Englishman who wrote a memoir about his years as a captive of chief Maquinna in 1802–1805, describes the area in some detail.
European exploration and trade
On August 8, 1774, the Spanish Navy ship Santiago, under Juan Pérez, entered and anchored in the inlet. Although the Spanish did not land, natives paddled to the ship to trade furs for abalone shells from California. Pérez named the entrance to Nootka Sound Surgidero de San Lorenzo. The word surgidero means "anchorage". When Esteban José Martinez arrived in 1789 he gave Nootka Sound the name Puerto de San Lorenzo de Nuca. The Spanish establishment established at Friendly Cove he gave the name Santa Cruz de Nuca.
After she was led out of the lagoon on April 26, she was photographed alone around Nootka Sound in May, June, July and August. There were other sightings as late as November, but those were unconfirmed, Towers said ... “She could be anywhere ... .
