Sea kayaking Vancouver Island
 
Sea kayaking trips to Hot Springs on Vancouver Island, British Columbia,
 HOT SPRINGS COVE Classic Kayak Tour




Travellers from around the world visit Maquinna Marine Provincial Park in Clayoquot Sound to soak in the natural hot mineral spring pools. The natural hot spring pools at this park are a very unique feature. These geothermal hot springs cascade down a waterfall into half a dozen rocky pools. The 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 wilderness camping, sea kayaking, fishing & whale viewing.

There is no land access to Hot Springs Cove; it is only accessible by boat, floatplane or sea kayak. 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.

 

Summer resident Gray whales are known to feed on the sandy bottoms of nearby bays. They begin to arrive in the spring on their 11,000 mile migration from Mexico to Alaska and a few stay the summer. Sightings are not uncommon.

We spend our first night at the rustic & remote Vargas Island Inn where we enjoy a seafood dinner of fresh caught crab or wild salmon while tasting award winning BC wines. Enjoy the wood fired sauna on the beach and perhaps an evening swim in phosphorescence. A key opportunity to become acquainted with your traveling companions, discuss sea kayak paddling techniques with your guide and become familiar with your kayaking gear.

A water taxi transfer from Hot Springs Cove back to Tofino allows for this expedition style trip to be completed in 5 days.

This classic sea kayak tour launches from the west coast fishing village of Tofino and covers approximatley 26 nautical miles of Clayoquot Sound by sea kayak.


Sea kayaking tours Hot Springs Cove- Kayak trip area map Clayoquot Sound Vancouver Island


5 Day Sea Kayak Trip Itinerary

DAY 1
11:00 a.m. Our guides will meet you at the launch site in Tofino.
After safety instruction & paddling techniques from the lead guide, we navigate our way to Vargas Island Inn for our first night stay to enjoy a fresh local Dungeness crab dinner paired with BC wine. Traditionally, we finish our first day with a wood-fired beach front sauna & evening swim before retiring to our cabins.
DAY 2
Breakfast burritos & morning coffee while looking at the chart and checking the weather with the guide. Before setting out, your guide will give further instructional talk about surf launch & landings. Watch for seals & sea lions along the rocky shores and reefs on the outer coast of Vargas Island, as well as rare seabirds. Practice your new skills when arriving on the expansive beach of Ahous Bay for lunch. We then head for North Vargas where we will set up camp for the night. An opportune time for a beach hike and intertidal exploring while your guide expertly prepares dinner on the Coleman stove. You may elect to stay and assist or catch up on some reading.
DAY 3

After an early morning of guide led yoga stretches on the beach, we set off for Whitesand cove on the look out for summer resident Grey whales. We stop for lunch and pause for some excellent photo opportunities of paddling on the open pacific before making our way up Millar Channel and to our campsite for the evening.

DAY 4
We watch for the commonly seen deer, wolf or black bear foraging for crabs in the silence of the morning while gliding past kelp forests along the calm inside passage of Flores Island. Arriving at Hot Springs Cove in the afternoon, we have time to soak in the mineral rich springs before another inspiring meal. After dinner is a great time to visit the springs again for a final soak under the stars in the silence of the night.
DAY 5
Morning coffee and another satisfying breakfast while we await our water taxi transfer back to civilization in the little fishing village of Tofino. After packing the gear & kayaks, we walk downtown for lunch and have an opportunity to experience some Tofino culture.

 


5-DAY HOT SPRINGS COVE
2009 Sea Kayak Tour Dates

Leaves

Returns

Leaves

Returns

TBA
$1399 CAD / $ 1185 USD
(approx. or use currency exchange site)

 

Trip Facts & Overview
Duration:

5 days / 4nights

Price:

$1399
Departs:

Victoria

Arrives Nearest:

Tofino

Accommodation:

1 night Lodge & 3 nights beach camping

Tour type:

intermediate multi-day sea kayaking tour

Inclusions:

Lodge accomodation, water taxi transfer, kayaks & related equipment, camping equipment, dry bags, PFD’s, paddling jackets, meals & wine, professional guides & paddling instruction.

Exclusion:

personal sleeping bag, gratuities,Transportation to & accommodation in Tofino.

Guest parking:

yes, free with advanced notice

First Nations:

Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations interpretive talk and information from guides.


 


This trip departs from Tofino on Mondays at 11:00 am to return Fridays at 12 p.m.

Tour dates can be customized for larger groups and families. Contact our office for more information.
Itinerary, Map & Facts>>





Geothermal Hot Springs at Maquinna Marine Provincial Park, Clayoquot Sound, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Local Knowledge

Mineral spring water heated deep within the earth surfaces at 47 degrees Cecius (117 F) and cascades down a small waterfall shower and into a series of natural layered rock pools, cooled by the incoming Pacific Ocean surf, each pool slightly cooler than the one above it. At high tide the surf surges up into the two lower pools creating a unique blend of hot and cool water.


 

Sea kayaking tours British Columbia