Tucked away in the wild heart of Vancouver Island’s west coast, Hot Springs Cove is the adventure you didn’t know you needed. Think steaming, all-natural hot pools right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, where you can soak your cares away while surrounded by lush rainforests and maybe even a curious sea otter or two. Like whaaaa?

But getting to Hot Springs Cove isn’t just about the destination—it’s an epic journey by boat or seaplane that’s packed with salty sea breezes, jaw-dropping scenery, and the chance of spotting a whale mid-air (no big deal, right?). So, throw on your swimsuit, channel your inner explorer, and get ready to recharge in one of British Columbia’s most epic gems. Hot Springs Cove, here we come!

Hot Springs Cove at a Glance

Location: Maquinna Marine Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Access: Only accessible by boat or seaplane from Tofino, approximately 1.5 hours each way by boat.
Water Temperature: Ranges from 38°C to 50°C (100°F to 122°F) at the source
Hike to Springs: 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) boardwalk trail through lush, old-growth rainforest
Best Time to Visit: Spring to early fall for optimal weather, but open year-round
Wildlife: Potential sightings of gray whales, humpback whales, sea otters, seals, bear watching, bald eagles, and more
Facilities: Basic changing rooms, two outhouses, and wooden boardwalk; no other amenities, so pack accordingly
Entry Fee: There’s a CAD $3 fee per person per day to visit, which is usually included in your tour costs.
Popularity: A favorite among locals and tourists, so expect some crowds, especially in peak season (summer).
Pets: Dogs or pets are not permitted at the hot springs beyond the start of the boardwalk or in and around the pools.
Clothing is required.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long is the boat ride from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove?

The boat ride from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove is a little over an hour if taking a powerboat.

Is Hot Springs Cove clothing optional?

Clothing is required at Hot Springs Cove.

Tofino Air: Hot Springs Cove — Tofino Air Seaplane to Hot Springs Cove

How do you get to Hot Springs Cove?

By boat or seaplane out of Tofino! It takes a little over an hour to get there by powerboat, or a quick 20-minute seaplane ride. You can captain your own vessel (and stay overnight, which would be SICK) or book a tour out of Tofino. You have options. Read on for details!

Is Hot Springs Cove worth it?

I think so! Just remember, it is a popular tourist destination, so if solitude is what you’re looking for, this isn’t it, but the boardwalk and natural springs really are magical!

Map of Hot SPrings Cove

Hot Springs Etiquette

Stay hydrated! Hot springs are, well, hot, and can cause serious dehydration if your'e not careful. It's important to drink lots of water to ward off those "fainting spells" hot springs are known to cast. When it's time to leave, get up slowly. I recommend bringing at least 1L of water.
Keep it down. We visit hot springs to relax, and while Rainbow Kitten Surprise is calming for you, your neighbor might not agree. Read the room.
Never use soap. Again, hot springs are very delicate, and any foreign substance can hugely alter its natural balance. This includes biodegradable soaps and shampoos!
Leave the glass behind. Breaking glass is (hopefully) never intentional, but accidents happen, and when they do, it can be dangerous, and broken glass can be nearly impossible to see.

Pack out what you pack in. Hot springs see a lot of visitors, and we all have our little luxuries we like during a hot soak, but all of those cans, snack wrappers, and underwear (this is more common than you think) need to accompany you back home as well. Do your part, respect the land, treat it as if it were your own property, and keep it clean and pristine for future use.
Don't pee in the springs! Just like pools and hot tubs, peeing (or pooping) in public springs is so not okay. Pools at least have chlorine and a cleaning system in place. Hot springs are as natural as can be, and any foreign substance can throw it off balance. We all know hot water loves to test our bladders, so consider peeing before getting in. (Make sure to pack out your toilet paper too!)
Leave your fur puppies at home.
Camping is allowed in designated sites by the dock (1.2 miles from the hot springs). Camping is not allowed in the hot springs area. Fee is $20 payable by cash in the drop box.
Leave it better than you found it!

Additional Valuable Resources from Parks Canada

Parks Canada put together some sweet guides to ensure you have a safe and AWESOME time experiencing these beautiful spaces. Check them out below!

Boat to Hot Springs Cove — Remote Passages 12-person vessel.

How to Get to Hot Springs Cove

Getting to Hot Springs Cove is half the adventure! Here’s how you can make your way to this steamy paradise:

1. Boat Tour from Tofino:

Duration: About 1.5 hours each way.
What to Expect: Hop on a zippy boat and cruise through Clayoquot Sound. Your guide might even share a few local legends along the way (or just tell you where the best post-soak fish tacos are).
Cost: Usually around CAD $229 + fees per person. I found almost all companies offer the same 6-6.5-hour tour, wildlife watching opportunities, and pricing.
Pros: Scenic and it’s basically a wildlife safari on water.
Cons: Choppy waves might turn your hair into a saltwater mess. Worth it.
Book with:
- Remote Passages. This is the company we went through because a) we were SUPER last minute and knew our best chances of an open spot on the tour would be with them because you HAVE to call to reserve (no online bookings). And good news, they had 3 open spots and the trip was AWESOME! We had a kind and knowledgable guide who sought out whales and sea otters for us and a 12-seater boat that had both indoor and outdoor space. Check out their tour here.
- Aquatic Safaris: Duration: 6-6.5 hrs
- Ahous Adventures: Duration: 5.5 hrs
- Jamie’s Whaling Station: Duration: 6 hrs.
- Tofino Resort and Marina: Duration: 6 hrs. 12-passenger indoor-outdoor boat.
- Tofino Whale Center: 12-passenger, 30’ covered cabin cruiser.

2. Seaplane from Tofino: The Sky-High Shortcut

Duration: A breezy 20 minutes, just enough time to snap some aerial selfies.
What to Expect: Think a birds-eye view of parkling blue waters, lush rainforests, and islands that look like something out of a fantasy novel. The seaplane swoops in and lands right at the cove. Don’t forget to smile because everyone on the dock will be videoing your landing.
Cost: A bit steeper at CAD $350 per person, but you’re paying for the brag-worthy experience.
Pros: Fast, glamorous, and a next-level flex for your travel stories.
Cons: Pricey, too fast, whales will be tiny, and you might end up comparing every future flight to this one.

Book with:

3. Take Your Own Vessel

If you have your own boat or vessel (kayak, canoe, etc.), lucky you! You can stay the night and have those springs pretty much all to yourself, especially on the off season.

Moorage: $2 per meter, per night (includes taxes). Rafting of vessels is not permitted.
Fee Payment: Either a park attendant may collect the docking fee or payment can be made at the self-registration fee station located next to the on shore park entrance Information Shelter.
Reserved Space: Reserving dock space is not permitted, red painted tie rails and signage restricts dock space for park ranger vessels, or loading zones for authorized vessels and float plane.
Vessel Size: Docking at this facility is restricted to vessels under 12 m in length, larger vessels must anchor away from dock.

Sea otter on the way to Hot Springs Cove — An adorable little sea otter on our boat ride up to Hot Springs Cove with Remote Passage.

We opted for Remote Passage’s 6.5-hour tour and were so glad we did! There were only six of us on the 12-person boat so we had plenty of space to move between the cabin and outdoor deck. We saw a gray whale, harbor seal families, and too many sea otters to count! They were ADORABLE!

A little over an hour later, we pulled up to the dock in Maquinna Marine Park, disembarked, used the outhouse that was just a few steps from the boat (there are two available for you to use–one just off the dock to the left and the other at Hot Springs Cove), and set off on our 30-minute walk to get our soak on.

LOOKING FOR MORE TOFINO ADVENTURES? CHECK OUT MY GUIDE HERE!

The 1.2-mile Hike to Hot Springs Cove

The boardwalk to Hot Springs Cove is gorgeous. Especially if you forget about the 700 steps to get there. It’s really not that bad and usually takes hikers 30-35 minutes to leisurely stroll to the Springs taking in the old-growth forest along the way. The boardwalk crafted from weathered cedar planks undulates through the forest, so some of those steps are up, some are down, you get the gist.

As you step onto the boardwalk, you’re immediately embraced by towering trees draped in moss, ferns as big as your head, and the occasional “what-was-that-noise” moment courtesy of the local wildlife. The trail meanders past babbling creeks, wooden bridges, and nurse logs galore. See if you can spot a few with those younger trees growing out of old growth logs.

We passed quite a few groups on our way out, returning to their boats for the ride home.

After what’s truly a pleasant walk, we smelled the sulphuric aroma that can only mean one thing (usually): hot springs. A bridge took us over a steaming river where we found ourselves on a wooden platform with a bench and two changing rooms. We changed into our swimsuits and walked down to the springs.

Hot Springs Cove

Hot Springs Cove is this tucked away rocky oasis–like how is it real life? Steaming pools tucked between jagged cliffs are met by the relentless Pacific waves where at high tide will give you a chilly splash while you’re basking in the geothermal tub.

We saw the piping hot waterfall first, pouring into the first few pools and slowly making its way down to the ocean. These pools are no frills; they’re all about authentic, natural comfort. There are about two more pools as we made our way down the cavern toward the Pacific.

A local told us about 50 years ago there were many more pools before an earthquake disrupted the water flow. Now there’s only one section that visitors can enjoy, but it sure is beautiful!

We visited on a hot weekday in late August, so it was busy! They can see around 270 visitors a day, and the park sees around 32,000 people a year! I’ve heard you can be knee-to-knee with other travelers some days. Because the springs are so toasty and it was a hot day, we took turns soaking in the springs and laying out on the rocks, snacking, having lunch, and going for cold plunges in the sea.

Cold plunge at Hot Springs Cove — Hot Springs Cove

If you do go for a plunge, just make sure the currents and waves aren’t too crazy and you can safely climb in and out!

Things to Know about Hot Springs Cove

It’s a popular tourist destination that can see around 270 visitors a day. Keep that in mind when visiting! You’ll likely be sharing these cozy springs with some visitors. It’s a great time to meet fellow travelers!

I visited in the summer, so while there were quite a few people around, only a handful were actually in the springs at a time because they were so hot! We’d take turns hopping from pool to pool, laying out on the rocks, snacking, and swimming in the sea.

Slippery Rocks

The rocks are slippery! You’ll need to climb over them to reach the pools, but go slowly to avoid any slips and falls. I wore my Tevas a lot of the time!

Cancellations Happen: Prepare Accordingly

These tours are largely weather dependent given their location, and Vancouver Island’s west coast has a bit of a reputation for dangerous weather, especially in the stormier winter months. If you’re booking outside of the summer months, I’d recommend giving yourself a 2-day buffer period in case your trip needs to be pushed due to weather.

Don’t Feed the Dogs

There’s a pack of friendly but hungry dogs that swim across the sound to see if any tourists leave their tasty lunches unattended. I didn’t encounter them but I hear they can be pretty… convincing and extra sneaky. Keep an eye on your snacks and stow them safely in your backpack while you’re soaking!

What to Pack for Hot Springs Cove

Swimsuit: Necessary—don’t forget it, or you’ll be sad. Clothing is required.
Towel: For drying off after your soak. I love my Nomadix Ultralight microfiber and Rumple Everywhere Towel.
Water Shoes or Sandals: The rocky pools can be slippery and uneven, so protect those toes! I wore my Tevas.
Layers: If you’re going by boat, you might be outside the entire time. Bring warm layers and a windbreaker so you can whale watch outdoors and stay cozy while you’re at it! I wore my swimsuit under my clothes, then shorts (because it was a really really nice day, but any other time I’d wear leggings!), a tee, my Stio puffy, and my REI Xero-Dry GTX shell to combat wind and rain/spray.
Dry Bag: Bring along a waterproof bag to keep your valuables dry on the boat or seaplane and when you’re taking photos in and around the pools. This lightweight dry bag works great!
Snacks and Water: There are no food vendors around, so bring your own fuel for the day. I recommend at least 1L of water per person and a few snacks to keep those hunger pains at bay. I made a sandwich for the day!

Camera or GoPro: With whales, sea otters, epic rugged coastline, and dreamy hot springs, you’re going to want something to capture those mems with! I brought my Sony a7rIII, a 24-70mm lens (and wished I had my 70-300mm lens for wildlife).
Sunscreen and Sunglasses: Even on cloudy days, UV rays bounce off the water and can catch you off guard. I like to keep my Kinfield 35 on me for adventures!
Bug Spray: The rainforest trail to the springs can be buggy, especially in warmer months. A mosquito had a super nice snack while I was enjoying mine out of the pools. Kinfield Golden Hour bug spray smells good and works well too!
Change of Clothes: Dry clothes for the return trip—you’ll thank yourself later.
Cash or Card: For boat or seaplane fees, or a cheeky tip for your guide.

The Ultimate Guide to Hot Springs Cove