What to Bring to Hot Springs Cove

The single most important thing to know about packing for Hot Springs Cove is that there are no shops, no rentals, and no fresh water once you leave Tofino. It’s a remote provincial park reachable only by boat or floatplane, so what you carry in is what you have. Get the packing right and the day is pure magic; forget the water shoes and you’ll feel it on the rocks. Here’s the list. For how the day unfolds, see what to expect on the tour; to plan your timing, read the best time to visit.

The Essentials

Wear or pack these no matter the season:

Swimwear under your clothes. The change shelters near the springs are basic, and wearing your suit underneath saves fuss.
A towel — there are none provided.
Grippy water shoes or sturdy sandals. This is the one people regret skipping: the boardwalk gets slippery and the rocks around the pools are slick and sharp. Closed-toe water shoes are ideal.
A waterproof jacket and warm layers. The west coast can be wet and breezy in any season, and the air on the boat ride and the walk is cooler than the water.
A change of clothes (and something warm) for the cruise back, so you’re not sitting in a damp suit for 90 minutes.

Smart Extras

These aren’t strictly essential, but seasoned visitors swear by them:

A dry bag for your phone, camera, and dry clothes — spray on the boat and rain on the boardwalk are both likely.
A waterproof phone case so you can photograph the pools and wildlife without risk.
Water and snacks. You’ll be out for the better part of a day, and there’s no fresh water or food on site. Many operators suggest packing a lunch.
Motion-sickness remedies if open water bothers you — the crossing is on the open Pacific.
Sun protection in summer, and a small headlamp if you’re on an early or late trip.

What to Wear on the Boat

Layering is the whole game. Many operators provide a cruiser suit for the crossing, but underneath you’ll want warm, quick-drying layers — temperatures shift noticeably between the breezy boat ride, the forest walk, and the hot pools. Avoid cotton that stays wet and cold; synthetics or wool dry faster and keep you comfortable across all three.

Leave These at Home (or in the Boat)

A few things just don’t belong at the springs:

Glass containers — broken glass in a natural rock pool is dangerous and hard to clean up.
Soap, shampoo, and bath products — the pools are a fragile natural and culturally significant site; keep products out of the water entirely.
Excess valuables — there are no lockers, so bring only what you can carry and keep dry.

Pack It Out

Hot Springs Cove lies within the traditional territory of Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, and the park (officially renamed Nismaakqin Park in 2025) is a protected, lived-in place. There are no bins on the boardwalk, so pack out everything you bring in — food wrappers, bottles, all of it. Treating the springs and the old-growth forest with care is the price of admission to somewhere this wild.

A Quick Packing Recap

Must-haves: swimsuit (worn under clothes), towel, grippy water shoes, waterproof jacket, warm layers, change of clothes
Smart extras: dry bag, waterproof phone case, water, snacks, motion-sickness remedy
Leave behind: glass, soap/shampoo, valuables
Always: pack out all your trash

Ready to Book?

Once you’re packed, a top-rated guided Hot Springs Cove tour from Tofino handles the boat crossing, the wildlife cruise, and the timing — so all you do is show up ready to soak, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Check availability and plan your day.