Shearwater Hot Springs Conservancy

Welcome to the new BC Parks website

Conservancy overview

Shearwater Hot Springs (also known as Europa Hot Springs) Conservancy is located along the north side of Alan Reach in Gardner Canal, on the north side of a small bay between Shearwater Point and Europa Point. It protects a popular marine hot springs and sheltered boat anchorage site along Gardner Canal. Local boaters and fishermen commonly stop at Shearwater hot springs for hot springs soaking, safe anchorage, picnics and camping.

There are no roads or trails in this conservancy.

Mooring Buoys

In April 2010, BC Parks with the help of Canada Coast Guard, installed two mooring buoys in the bay.

Bath House

A bath house (13’ x 14’) is provided so that park visitors may enjoy soaking in the warm and odorless hot springs water. The hot springs water comes out of the ground from cracks in the bedrock at the bottom of the hot springs pool. It flows out at a rate of about 7.1 litres per minute. Water temperature at the source and in the bath house pool is about 40.6 degrees Celsius. The hot springs and bath house are located along the north shore of the bay. UTM coordinates are: Zone 09U; 5922456 m North; 0529202 m East.

The water in the hot springs is not suitable for drinking.

Established Date: May 31, 2007

Conservancy Size:33 hectares (18 ha upland, 15 ha foreshore)

Advisories

Camping

Cabins and huts

There is trapper’s cabin built by the Haisla First Nation and is available for public use. The cabin is 15’ x 12’ with 2 double bunk beds. The cabin is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Be prepared to sleep outside if the cabin is full. It is possible to anchor a boat in the bay close to the cabin and hot springs. The cabin is located at the mouth of the creek (south side) in the bay. The UTM coordinates for the cabin are: Zone 09U; 5922231 m North; 0529701 m East.

Prior approval is needed for the use of the Haisla First Nation cabins. Please contact the Haisla Nation at 250-639-9361 (ext. 207 or 213).

Wilderness camping

Wilderness camping is allowed. Reservations are not accepted at this conservancy and all sites and facilities are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Winter camping

There are winter camping opportunities in this conservancy, as it can be accessed year-round.

Facilities

Picnic areas

Shearwater Hot Springs has a day-use/picnic area. The top deck above the bath house has a covered area of about 12’ x 12’ with a picnic table, bench and coat hooks. This area can be used for picnics and provides easy access to the hot spring and good views of Gardner Canal and distant snow-capped mountains. There are two mooring buoys in the bay that are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pit or flush toilets

A Zeebest backcountry pit toilet was installed in June 2012. It is located behind the Haisla First Nation trapper’s cabin.

Campfires

Firewood is not provided. If you must have a fire, please burn only dead and down wood, and be sure to fully extinguish the fire when done. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil so please use it conservatively, if at all. We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of campfires and using camp stoves instead. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented during extremely hot weather conditions.

Hot spring

Location: North side of Alan Reach in Gardner Canal, in small bay between Shearwater Point and Europa Point, about 65 km south of Kitimat.
GPS: Lat. 53° 27’ 01” North; Long. 128° 33’ 37” West
Pool Water Temperature: 42°C
Facilities: Two rock & mortar pools just above high tide line; larger one inside, smaller one outside. Wood frame bathhouse (13 ‘x 14’) over the large pool with covered upper level (12’ x 12’) change area, picnic table, bench and coat hooks. There are also 2 mooring buoys in the bay.
Comments: Also known as Europa Hot Springs. The waters are odorless. Bathhouse was rebuilt in 2008.

Activities

Swimming

Swimming is possible in the ocean, but the water is cold all year-round. There are no lifeguards on duty in the conservancy.

Canoeing

Adventurous and experienced kayakers may enjoy exploring the bay and shorelines in this conservancy.

Fishing

There are opportunities to fish for trout and salmon in the creek that enters the bay inside the conservancy. Please consult the appropriate non-tidal fishing regulations for more information. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate license.

Scuba diving

It is possible to scuba dive or snorkel in the conservancy. The water clarity is best during winter and spring.

Hunting

This Conservancy is open to hunting during lawful hunting seasons. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information.

Maps and location

View a more detailed map.

Lakelse Douglas Channel Area map [PDF 1.87MB]

Shearwater Hot Springs Conservancy is only accessible by boat or floatplane and is located about 45 km east of Hartley Bay and 65 km south of Kitimat. It is located along the north side of Alan Reach in Gardner Canal, on the north side of a small bay between Shearwater Point and Europa Point.

Reference: Marine Chart #3745 (Gardner Canal).
Reference: 1:50,000 scale Topographic Map #103 H/7 (Ursula Channel).

Kitimat Visitor Information Centre:

PO Box 214
2109 Forest Avenue
Kitimat, BC, Canada V8C 2G7
http://www.tourismkitimat.ca/
e-mail: info@tourismkitimat.ca
ph: 250-632-6294 or 1-800-664-6554

Conservancy and activity maps

Shearwater Conservancy map [PDF]

Learn more about this conservancy

Conservancy details

Date established: May 22, 2007
Size: 33 hectares

Nature and culture

History: Shearwater Hot Springs Conservancy was designated as a conservancy on May 31, 2007 following recommendations from the North Coast Land and Resource Management Plan. The hot springs building and pools were originally built in August 1986 by a crew of volunteers from C.F.I. In June 2008 the original bath house was removed and rebuilt in partnership with BC Timber Sales, BC Parks, Haisla First Nation and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.
Cultural Heritage: The conservancy is in the asserted traditional territory of the Haisla First Nation. Use the below link for more information or to contact this First Nation.
- Haisla First Nation
Conservation: The conservancy protects an area of high recreational use, portions of a small coastal stream and coastal wildlife habitat that includes the marine foreshore and intertidal areas.
Wildlife: 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.