Maquinna Marine Protected Area

Protected area overview

Visitors from around the world flock to Maquinna Protected Area in Clayoquot Sound to soak in the natural hot mineral spring pools.

The park, located northwest of Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island, also encompasses a significant wilderness area known for coastal hiking, wilderness camping, sea kayaking and wildlife viewing.

Numerous tourism companies in Tofino, Ahousaht, and Hot Springs Village offer tours and transportation to Hot Springs Cove, which is only accessible by water or air. A pleasant half-hour along a boardwalk trail through old growth rainforest leads to the hot pools, which remain at an average temperature of approximately 50 degrees Celsius.

The natural hot spring pools at this park are a very unique feature. The geothermal hot springs cascade down a waterfall into half a dozen rocky pools. These pools flow from one level to the next becoming gradually cooler as the fresh spring water is cooled by ocean swells. Interpretive signs posted along the boardwalk to the hot springs provide information about the geology and thermal features of the park.

Advisories

Safety info

Boardwalk can be wet and slippery. Please be advised that the wooden boardwalk to the hot springs can be wet and slippery. Park visitors should wear good footwear and be mindful of the conditions when travelling in the park.
The two kilometre boardwalk to the hot springs may not be suitable for all people. The boardwalk includes numerous sections of stairs and has many steps that could be physically challenging for some visitors. Access to the pools is through a rock strewn area and may also pose challenges due to the uneven footing.
Avoid times of high tides and high swells. During winter high tides, the pools fill with cold sea water. Rough water and floating wood debris may cause bodily harm to bathers. Plan your visits to the springs to avoid times of high tides and high swells. Check with the tour operator, air carrier or water taxi before you start your trip.
Tsunamis are a series of unusually big waves caused by a large-scale disturbance of a body of water. If you are on the beach and feel strong shaking from an earthquake or if the water suddenly recedes, move immediately to higher ground (greater than 15 metres or 45 feet above the tide line). There is no way to be certain how high a tsunami is going to be. The first wave to arrive at the coast is often not the largest, and each wave may be separated by up to an hour or more. Waves may continue for up to twelve hours, so you must stay on high ground until advised otherwise. Do not go to the beach to watch.

Reporting damage

Please report any damage, disturbance or irregularities in the park to:
Ahous Business Corporation
250-725-2169
info@mhssahousaht.ca

Special notes

There is a day-use fee of $3 per person per day.
Camping and fires are prohibited in the hot springs area at the southern part of Openit Peninsula in the park. Use the private campground located to the north of the park.
Dogs or pets are not permitted at the hot springs beyond the start of the boardwalk or in and around the pools.
At times, local dogs may enter the park in their search for handouts. Please do not feed or pet the local dogs as it encourages them to stay.
Park users should ensure their food is secure while they are at the hot springs. The change room and picnic shelter has numerous hooks available for visitors to hang their bags out of reach of dogs or wildlife.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the park.
Glass containers are not permitted in and around the pools.
Soap, shampoo and other cleaning materials are not permitted in or near the pools.
Clothing in this public park is not optional. Visitors must wear appropriate bathing apparel such as bathing suits and shorts.

Guiding in Parks

In provincial parks, any person acting as a guide or offering guiding services, including vessel drop-offs, must hold a valid Park Use Permit (Park, Conservancy and Recreation Area Regulation, Section 4). Please ensure the company you hire is legally operating in the park.

Notice to Vessel Operators

Maquinna dock overnight fee is in effect. This applies to all vessels mooring overnight. “Vessel” means a boat, canoe, kayak or other craft used, or capable of being used, for navigation on water. Maquinna Marine Park day-use fee is not included in the purchase of a docking permit.
Moorage: $2 per metre, 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.
Maximum Stay: Maximum length of stay is 14 days per calendar year.

Camping

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Marine-accessible camping

Camping is not permitted on the Openit Peninsula portion of the park where the hot springs are located. A private campground, operated by the Hesquiat First Nation, is located just north of the government dock.

Dock Facilities Use Fee: $2 per metre per night

Winter camping

Facilities

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Boat launch

This park has a dock located on the west side of Openit Peninsula, adjacent to the park entrance. Boats can also anchor in Hot Springs Cove.

Docking Fee Information [PDF]

Dock facilities use fee: $2 per metre per night

Campfires

While small fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you do have a fire use small pieces of wood that will burn completely. Build your fires below the high tide mark. Never build fires next to or near beach logs. Never leave your fire unattended and practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.

Campfires are not permitted on the Openit Peninsula portion of the park where the hot springs are located.

Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.

Hot spring

Location: West coast of Vancouver Island, in Clayoquot Sound, about 35 km NW of Tofino, on west side of Sharp Point.
Coordinates: Lat. 49° 20’ 59” North; Long. 126° 15’ 34” West
Pool Water Temperature: 50°C
Facilities: Boat dock, 2 km boardwalk trail with stairs and viewing platform, change house, picnic shelter and composting pit toilets.

Comments: Also known as Ramsay Hot Springs. The hot springs have a faint sulphur smell. They flow down a waterfall and into six rocky natural intertidal pools, flowing from one level to the next and becoming progressively cooler towards the ocean. It’s about a 40 minute walk (2 km) from the Maquinna dock at Hot Springs Cove and through the old growth rain forest.

The following are not allowed at the hot spring: dogs, pets, camping, campfires, glass containers, soaps and shampoos.

There is a $3 user fee, per person, per day for the hot springs and an overnight moorage fee of $2 per metre, per night for overnight boaters using the dock.

Picnic areas

There is a designated picnic facility and a large grassy area at the head of the dock. An information shelter and composting toilet can be found in this area, which is also the start of a 2 km boardwalk leading to the hot springs. Another picnic shelter, composting toilet, and change house is located near the springs. There is a user fee of $3 per person per day to enter the park.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has two composting toilets. One at the start of the boardwalk and another at the end near the hot springs.

Activities

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Hiking

A 2 km boardwalk trail leads from the head of the dock to the hot springs. A viewing platform is located along the trail, offering views of Hot Springs Cove and the hot spring itself. Visitors should be aware that the boardwalk may be slippery due to frost or rotting leaves in the fall and winter.

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Swimming

Visitors from around the world flock to Maquinna Park to soak in the natural hot spring pools. The temperature of these pools is approximately 50 degrees Celsius. Pregnant women, people with heart conditions and small children should limit their exposure to the hot water.

During winter high tides, use of the pools should be avoided because of wave action and presence of large, woody debris.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

There are kayaking opportunities throughout this park. Canoeing is not recommended.

Fishing

The waters of Clayoquot Sound may contain a variety of fish species, including salmon, rockfish, halibut and lingcod. Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations.

Please check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

A viewing platform is located along the boardwalk trail that leads from the head of the dock to the hot springs offer lovely views of Hot Springs Cove and the hot spring itself.

Maquinna Marine Park is located in the northwestern part of Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The park is situated between Hesquiat Peninsula and Flores Island and is accessible by boat and float plane from Tofino, Ucluelet, Hot Springs Cove, Tahsis and Gold River.

The following companies currently have a Park Use Permit to provide water and air access service:

Protected area and activity maps

Park Map [PDF]
Zoning Map (included in Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan)
Map of Provincial Parks of Clayquot Sound [PDF]
Clayquot Area Brochure and Map [PDF]
Marine Hot Springs of Coastal BC Brochure [PDF] (for viewing)
Marine Hot Springs of Coastal BC Brochure [PDF] (duplex print version)

Learn more about this protected area

Protected area details

Date established: July 7, 2004
Size: 53 hectares

Protected area contact

This park proudly operated by:
Ahous Business Corporation
Phone: 250-725-2169
Email: info@mhssahousaht.ca
www.mhssahousaht.ca

Nature and culture

Cultural Heritage

Many Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations cultural heritage sites are contained in Maquinna Marine Park.

Conservation

Well known for its natural hot springs, Maquinna Marine Park also includes an extensive coastal area with a variety of coastal ecosystems including extensive off-shore reefs, boulder, cobble and sand beaches, sea caves, sheltered bays, kelp beds, and mudflats.

General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.