Hot Springs Cove
Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
- Location
- Tofino, British Columbia, Canada
- Water type
- sulfurous
- Temperature
- 50 °C
- pH
- 6.5
Water profile
Thermicity
Sedative
LowHigh
Relaxing — deep, immediate muscle release.
Mineralisation
Bio-active
LowHigh
Rich in active gases or metals — a strong mineral character.
Buoyancy
Standard buoyancy
LowHigh
Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.
SoufreSulfuresSulfates
Hot Springs Cove, formerly Refuge Cove, is an unincorporated settlement on Sydney Inlet on West Coast of Vancouver Island. It is located on the west side of the Openit Peninsula in the western Clayoquot Sound region. Hot Springs Cove derives its name from its proximity to Ramsay Hot Springs, and is protected by Maquinna Marine Provincial Park. The post office at Hot Springs Cove was closed in 1974 but had operated since 1947, when it was first named Sydney Inlet until being renamed in 1948. Despite the closure of the post office, there remains a year-round population in the vicinity.
Insider tip — Hot Springs Cove on Openit Peninsula in Maquinna Marine Provincial Park is accessible only by water taxi or floatplane from Tofino, making the journey as memorable as the destination. The sulfurous springs cascade down a series of smooth rock terraces into the Pacific tidal zone, so the temperature of the lowest pools fluctuates with the ocean tide. Reaching the cove requires a 2 km boardwalk hike through old-growth rainforest dripping with moss, a truly cinematic approach.
Nearby
Frequently asked questions
How hot is the water?
The water runs quite hot here, around 50 °C — a sedative water that brings immediate muscle release.
What type of water is found here?
This spot features sulfurous water.
What is the best season to visit?
The most favourable period for this spot is: Toute l'année.