Maquinna Marine Provincial Park

Please Note: The composting toilet buildings at Maquinna Marine Provincial Park will be closed on April 22nd and reopened on April 25th to allow for repairs and upgrades.
Campfires are NOT PERMITTED on the Openit Peninsula portion of the park where the hot springs are located.
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.
There is a user fee of $3.00 per person per day
Please report any damage, disturbance or irregularities in the park to:
R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd. 250-474-1336
See special notes below, also.

About This Park

Visitors from around the world flock to Maquinna Marine Provincial Park in Clayoquot Sound to soak in the natural hot mineral spring pools. These geothermal hot springs cascade down a waterfall into half a dozen rocky pools. The delightful hot pools flow from one level to the next, gradually becoming cooler as the fresh spring water is cooled by ocean swells.

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 Hotsprings Village offer tours and/or 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.

Special Features: 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.

Park Size:
2,667 hectares (1,269 ha upland, 1,398 ha foreshore).

Special Notes:

NO CAMPING and NO FIRES allowed 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 on the boardwalk or in and around the pools.
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/shorts.

Notice to Vessel Operators:

MAQUINNA DOCK OVERNIGHT FEE IN EFFECT
THIS APPLIES TO ALL VESSELS MOORING OVERNIGHT

Moorage * $2.00 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 restriction vessels under 12m in length, larger vessels must anchor away from dock.
Maximum Stay * Maximum length of stay is 14 days per calendar year.

* Maquinna Marine Park day-use fee is not included in the purchase of a Docking Permit.
“Vessel” means a boat, canoe, kayak or other craft used, or capable of being used, for navigation on water.

Location and Maps

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Location Map

Maquinna Marine Provincial 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:

Adventure Tofino Bed & Breakfast and Wildlife Tours 250-725-2895
Atleo River Air Service 1-866-662-8536
Jamie’s Whaling Station 250-725-3919
Ocean Outfitters – Tofino Adventure Tour Co. 1-877-906-2326
Remote Passages Marine Excursions 1-800-666-9833
The Whale Centre 1-888-474-2288
Tofino Air 1-866-486-3247
Tofino Water Taxi 1-866-794-2537
Weigh West Marine Resort 1-800-665-8922
West Coast Aquatic Safaris 1-877-594-2537

Maps and Brochures

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Park Map [PDF 51KB]
Zoning Map [included in Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan]
Map of Provincial Parks of Clayquot Sound [PDF 133KB]
Clayquot Area Brochure and Map [PDF 2.23MB]

Nature and Culture

Cultural Heritage - Many Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations cultural heritage sites are contained in Maquinna Provincial 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

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan [PDF 209.14KB] for Maquinna Marine Provincial Park is available online in pdf format.

Activities Available at this Park

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. 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.

Hiking

A 2-km boardwalk trail leads from the head of the dock to the hot springs. Two viewing platforms are 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 at provincial parks.

Wildlife Viewing

Two viewing platforms 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.

Facilities Available at this Park

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 Hotsprings Cove.
Click here for a pdf of the Docking Fee information. [PDF 341KB]

Dock Facilities Use Fee: $2.00 per metre / 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.

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 $3.00 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.

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

There are no designated campsites at this park, however random wilderness camping is allowed in most of the park. No facilities are provided. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics. 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: $2.00 per metre / night

Winter 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.