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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
This park has two composting toilets. One at the start of the boardwalk and another at the end near the hot springs.
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.
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. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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:
This park proudly operated by:
Ahous Business Corporation
Phone: 250-725-2169
Email: info@mhssahousaht.ca
www.mhssahousaht.ca
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.
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.