How long would it take to go from Victoria to Tofino where the hot springs are? Could you do it in a day trip or should one plan to stay overnight? Can you tell me more about the hot springs?

I don't know the answers to your questions, but I found these websites below helpful. Try doing a search for Tofino + British Columbia, and you might find more info. Sorry I can't be more helpful.<BR><BR>www.hellobc.com<BR>www.islands.bc.ca

Sorry, that should have said do a search on the web, not just this site. <BR>

It can take four or five hours to do the drive. Then, you have to take a water taxi or whale-watching tour boat out to the dock, which can take an hour or so. You'll enjoy it all much more if you stay overnight; we actually did the Hot Springs Cove hike at night, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend that. You need flashlights, as it's absolutely pitch dark. I think it would have been more fun during the day. (However, during the day it can get crowded, I'm told.) There are lots of places to stay in the area. We stayed on a houseboat anchored at the dock, which is used as a b&b.

oops - on re-reading your message I realized you wanted to know a little more about the hot springs. <BR> In order to get there, you hike from the dock, about a mile or so, over a very well-built trail. There are lots of hills, but they've built stairs on the trail to accommodate for that. I'm not particularly fit, but I didn't find it a strenuous hike; just make sure you bring lots of water to drink. As you walk, the vegetation changes until it's almost tropical rainforest. The air gets warmer and more humid. Then you come to the cove itself. There is a changing room there where you can put on a bathing suit. You scramble over a few rocks - I found this a bit daunting because they're slippery! It helps to have those aqua socks on your feet, so you won't skid. You get into the water - it's hot, with a waterfall that feels like a hot shower. You can swim, or sit comfortably on the rocks. If you like, you can put your hands over the rocks into the cold Pacific. It's a really neat experience. Bear in mind that after sitting in the hot water for a while, you might find it a bit tiring on the hike back. Have a great trip!

Topping for Mary.

ttt