A Fantastic Experience at the All Natural Hot Springs Cove Near Tofino, B.C.

Day 7, Thursday

This boat trip was an hour and half long each way, taking us from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove, B.C. and  was an enjoyable ride.

Maquinna, commonly known as Hot Springs Cove, is a remote community with about 40 residents.

Being an educator all my life, I was interested in the children's education and specifically asked our guide about it.

There are five students with one teacher teaching in a school in this community. The school was built at the cost of one million Canadian dollars for them on this island.

Hot Springs Cove,  B.C. a small community with about forty residents

After the boat ride to the cove, we had to walk for another 1.9 km before reaching the hot spring. The trail was paved with wooden planks so the walk was smooth.





















One interesting thing we noticed on this walk was the engravings on many of the steps. Many of the engravings looked pretty elaborate and professional.














Some were engraved with names to remember certain loved ones passed away, while some were by a class or groups with friends.

Our favourite one was the marriage proposal engraved for a lady.We could imagine the look on the face of that lady for whom this message was intended.

The scenery on this paved wooden path was surreal. We were surrounded by hundred year old trees in this provincial marine park.

Walking the trail at the Provincial Marine Park at Hot Springs Cove, B.C.

Words could not describe what we saw and pictures did not capture the awesome beauty of this forest full of mature trees, plants and animal lives.

We were told that the hike was about 30 minutes, but the trail seemed never ending and it just kept going. Fortunately, the trail was beautiful, relaxing and we did not mind walking. 

Hot spring water was flowing out from the cracks of the rocks

Finally we reached the hot springs. There was a washroom, a co-ed change area with a long solid wood bench and  some hooks to hang our bags.








There were no stores,  lockers nor refreshments stand. There was nothing we could buy, a real rugged Canadian outdoor experience.

Looking out to the Pacific Ocean at Hot Springs Cove, British Columbia, Canada

I was glad that we came prepared with everything we needed and enjoyed a picnic lunch on the rocks.

Caution: Rock surfaces were wet & slippery when going down to the natural pools at Hot Springs Cove.

We changed into our bathing suits, gingerly walked down the rocks to where the hot water was.

There were two small areas where visitors could sit, immerse themselves and soak in the fresh hot water coming from the springs. However, we needed to be mindful and careful navigating our way down among the rocks as the rock surfaces were wet, and slippery.  

Enjoying the hot spring water a lot!

Once when we found our spot in the natural small pool, it was fantastic!  The water was very warm!  We could smell the sulfur and felt relaxed soaking in the natural pool.

We were there for a little while, enjoying the water, talking to fellow visitors. There were people from the States, Netherlands, and Spain. Everyone was relaxed, helping each other getting in and out of the soaking areas, and taking pictures etc.

This was truly international cooperation in action among the soakers at the Hot Springs Cove.

Hot Springs Cove, - a rugged outdoor experience in B.C.

We did not want to leave the hot springs and wanted to stay there to enjoy the hot water .

But our boat, the last one of the day, was leaving at 5:30pm from the dock.

It was an amazing wonderful outdoor  experience, the highlight of our west coast vacation! We totally loved it!

R.T.

Hot Springs Cove
British Columbia
Canada

A Boat Ride from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove, B.C.

Day 7,  Thursday - Taking a Boat from Tofino to Hot Springs Cove

Tofino Pier, British Columbia, Canada

The weather in Tofino, BC is pretty grey, foggy most of time we were there.

We made a good decision visiting the Hot Springs Cove in Tofino, in the afternoon.

Our tour started at 1pm, we gathered at the Ocean Outfitters.









We received our instructions and PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and boarded a small commercial passenger boat at the Tofino Dock.















It was a small boat with ten passengers on board.

Travis, our captain, a young man in his early 30’s, gave us some excellent info about the marine life in this area.

He tried to direct our attention to the sightings of ocean animals whenever he received info about them on his radio from his counterparts.

We got all excited when we heard abut the sighting of some grey whales in the area.

However, we saw few ocean animals in the water while going to the cove.

But it was a different story on our way back to Tofino. We saw sea otters, and seals perching and sunbathing on top of huge rocks on some islands nearby.

We saw sea lions and otters perching on some big rocks on some big rocks on the way back.

Hot Springs Cove Dock

This boat trip was an hour and half long each way. 

We learned something about the marine life in this region and got some good information on this remote community. 

It was an enjoyable and educational ride!

R.T.
Boat Ride from Tofino
to Hot Springs Cove

Discovering Sea Plants and Little Creatures on MacKenzie Beach, British Columbia

View of the Pacific Ocean from our resort

Thursday - Day 7

It was fantastic waking up with the view of the Pacific Ocean right outside of our bedroom suite.

Enjoying a breakfast at the resort's dining room overlooking the Pacific Ocean

We had a continental breakfast at the lodge’s dining room,  enjoyed a relaxing morning with fresh coffee and the smell of ocean water.

We stayed at one of the guest suites at this lodge.

This afternoon, we had booked a boat tour but we changed it from morning to 1:oo pm so that we would have plenty of time to enjoy this nice resort and the beautiful McKenzie Beach, a stone's throw away from our resort.

 MacKenzie Beach, British Columbia, Canada

The part we enjoyed the most this morning was walking on the MacKenzie Beach.


Instead of looking at a beach littered with beer bottles, candy wrappers and  garbage, we saw a beach covered with seaweeds and other huge plants washed in from the Pacific Ocean.

Gigantic kelps and seaweeds found on the MacKenzie Beach 

It was interesting looking at the different shapes and sizes of so many ocean plants and lives on this beach.

It was quiet with few people walking on the beach this morning.



















Though it was chilly and the water was cold, a few people were walking their dogs, some paddling, some taking pictures etc.

We were looking for colourful sea shells and little beach pebbles.

We discovered the guo ducks’ hiding place under the sand.

We jumped, ran around like children, so much fun travelling with my sis!

We have created happy memories on this beautiful beach!

We enjoyed looking at all these plant life and small creatures.

I loved looking for small stones polished by the water and waves of the Pacific Ocean.













It was an enjoyable walk!

I wondered why we had hardly gone to the beach for our holidays when we were younger.

We always love snow and winter activities. But this trip out west has helped us to appreciate the sun and the beach much more!

We enjoyed our morning walk on MacKenzie Beach, B.C.

We checked out of the resort and  into another place before heading over to our highly anticipated  activity for our second day in Tofino.

R.T.
MacKenzie Beach
British Columbia
Canada

Being Pampered at the MacKenzie Beach Resort, Tofino, B.C.

After our visit to the MacMillan Provincial Park in British Columbia, we continued our drive expecting that we would be staying over at Ucluelet, a small town not far from Tofino for the night.

However, we were disappointed by what we saw upon our arrival at the  place which looked vastly differently from the descriptions on its online brochure.

Refused to be taken advantage of, we cancelled our booking at Ucluelet and made a last minute accommodation arrangement despite the owner's warning that we might not be able to find a place for the night in Tofino.

We did!

My sister was resourceful and good with her online booking on her cell.

She got us a much nicer place for the night at the MacKenize Beach Resort not far from Tofino.

It was a luxurious resort fronting the Pacific Ocean with many rooms overlooking the water.

We just made it to the dinner being served at its rustic restaurant dining room.

We had a spacious one bedroom with a living room suite.

It came with a good size kitchen and dining area.

I always wonder who would have time preparing any meals while on vacation?

The living room had a pulled out couch so my sister could sleep there comfortably.

Our stay at the MacKenzie Beach Resort was a pleasant and comfortable experience with its very friendly reception staff.

We had an incredible view of the Pacific Ocean from both our room and the common area.

Enjoying a snack & the breathtaking sunset on the patio at the resort

We could easily have stayed a whole week there enjoying the breathtaking scenery on its patio and beach.

We pampered ourselves and enjoyed our stay at this oceanfront resort! 

R.T.
MacKenzie Beach Resort
Tofino, B.C.
Canada