Hot Springs Cove is a wonderful day trip from Tofino by boat. Whale watching companies and Tofino air charters make the hour and a half cruise up to the hot springs where you land at the dock then walk the boardwalk into the rocky hot springs. The springs are located in rocks and there is a small waterfall as the hot water tumbles into the pools from a small shallow pool above. Highly recommended by many visitors, the hot springs make a wonderful day trip. Accessible by boat or air only.
Welcome to Hot Springs Cove.
The Hot Springs Cove Village is just across the cove.
Photo of the Hot Springs Cove Village in 1954.
We disembark our Tofino tour boat.
The Maquinna Marine Park information area is just off the dock.
Story of Maquinna Provincial Park
Maquinna Provincial Park is named in honour of ‘Maquinna’, an 18th century First Nations chief and family. These beautiful, secluded lands were traditionally used by the First Nations of this area, notably the Hesquiaht, Ahousat and Manhousaht bands. Fishers have also long relied on the sheltered waters in ‘Refuge Cove’, now known as Hot Springs Cove, for safe haven, riding out poor weather or waiting for the fishing season to open. A small community occupied this area from the late 1920’s to the early 1970’s, building a store, gas station, one room school, a few houses and boat docks.
In 1955, Maquinna was established as a Class A provincial park through a 39 hectare donation by the Clarke family, long time residents of the area. An additional 2,628 hectare were added to the park in 1995 to protect both foreshore and upland areas. Although the park is well known for the natural hot springs nestled in the shoreline on Openit Peninsula (Sharp Point), it also protects extensive offshore beaches, sea caves, kelp beds and mudflats.
Beginning of the boardwalk to the Tofino Hot Springs.
A leisurely half an hour walk on boardwalk through west coast rainforest brings you to the Tofino Hot Springs.
A reminder that the boardwalk can be slippery so take your time and enjoy the scenery.
And away we go!
Tofino Hot Springs, Tofino, BC, Canada
Hot Springs Cove is a wonderful day trip from Tofino by boat. Whale watching companies make the hour and a half cruise up to the hot springs where you land at the dock then walk the boardwalk into the rocky hot springs. Tofino Atleo Air Charters give you a scenic flight up.