A popular tour in Tofino is to Hot Springs Cove. The six-hour tour includes a boat ride, a hike, and a soak in the hot springs in Maquinna Provincial Park. The only way to get to Hot Springs Cove is by float plane or boat. As a result, the tour time is dependent on the tides and coordinated among the many companies that have a park permit.
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Hot Springs Cove Tour with Jamie’s Whaling Station
When I visited Tofino, I took the Hot Springs Cove Tour with Jamie’s Whaling Station though there are many choices. The tour tends to sell out months in advance on the weekends but typically has some availability during the week.
Parking is limited in Tofino, with most of it requiring a fee. Jamie’s Whaling Station has a small lot, but it fills up fast with the many tours offered. I came from Ucluelet and arrived several hours early so that I could explore Tofino by foot first.
Be sure to check in at the front desk 30 minutes before your departure, so they can hand out your ticket. The cruiser style boat, with bench seats in a covered area with windows, seats 12-14 people.
The 26 nautical mile journey glides through both tranquil inlet waters surrounded by green peaks and the choppy, open ocean of Clayoquot Sound. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach Hot Springs Cove as the captain stops for marine life sightings. On the way, we spotted a raft of otters. And on our return, two grey whales.
Hike to the Hot Springs
The dock at Hot Springs Cove has room for three or four boats to tie off. A picnic area with a composting toilet station is available for use prior to the 30-minute walk to the hot springs.
After disembarking, the group hikes one mile at their own pace along the raised boardwalk. which passes through a lush rainforest. The damp boardwalk steps up and down and around large growth trees and ferns. Take your time as the path is quite beautiful, but also slick. One side trail leads to a beach along the way, but I wouldn’t say it is worth the detour.
Hot Springs
Upon approaching the hot springs, you’ll get a whiff of sulfur as steam rises from the trickling creek. Upon reaching the rocky area, the changing room is to the left and the hot springs are to the right, tucked behind some boulders.
Calm, crystal-clear water spills over the cliff into a narrow, rocky pool and flows from one level to the next toward the ocean. The first pool is the hottest, with each additional one cooler as the 122-degree spring runoff mixes with ocean water.
The geothermal pools are very pretty but be prepared to share with your tour mates. There is not much room for soaking, especially if there is another boat load of tourists who have arrived before you.
I got the feeling that the tour companies coordinate their arrival times because the folks in the hot springs slowly packed up with our arrival, and we did the same when the next group showed up.
Tide Pools at the Hot Springs
Admittedly, I am not the biggest hot springs goer, so I didn’t spend much time squeezing into the series of natural rock pools. Instead, I looked for marine life as I boulder hopped to the shore. Sea stars found their homes tucked in the crevices, while anemones lived in small pools, and mussels clung to boulders, as the ocean surf sprayed the rocky shore.
The springs were a lovely place to relax, have a snack, and take in the natural beauty of British Columbia. After an hour, we retraced our steps to the boat and returned to Tofino, detouring for whales. After having been kayaking in Antarctica and free diving in the Silver Banks with humpback whales, seeing a spout wasn’t picture worthy for me, but I always love spotting wildlife and being on a boat.
Overall, I felt the Tofino Hot Springs Cove Tour was a fun experience. I’d just caution hot springs lovers that the pools, though natural, aren’t that big. ETB
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I’ve never heard of these hot springs, but I’m not sure I’ll put must do when in Tofino list based on your experience. There are so many other great things to do there. Maggie
I was just happy to get out on a boat and the hike was nice. I’m just not a huge hot springs person. I liked seeing the otters though. There were a lot of them!
If you like boats, hiking and hot springs, it is good! I’m not a huge hot springs person. At least it is natural looking. But your time will be limited
Oh neat, what a cool little place. Hot springs lover or not, it still seems like a fun thing to do!
Yes, it was a nice day. I always like being on the water!!
Torino is definitely on my bucket list! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by!