Shearwater (Europa Bay) Hot Springs

Shearwater Hot Springs, also known as Europa Hot Springs, is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves soaking in natural hot springs while surrounded by stunning scenery. Located on the north shore of the western part of Gardner Canal in a small bay called Europa Bay, the hot springs are about halfway between Europa and Shearwater points. Accessible only by boat or floatplane, they are situated approximately 45 km east of Hartley Bay and 65 km south of Kitimat.

The hot springs are popular with locals and visitors alike, with many people considering them the best springs on the north coast. They are nestled amidst a breathtaking landscape, surrounded by lush green forests, rocky cliffs, and sparkling blue waters. The site is protected by the Shearwater Hot Springs Conservancy, which safeguards a popular marine hot springs and sheltered boat anchorage site along Gardner Canal.

At Shearwater Hot Springs, three springs bubble from a horizontal fracture in small bedrock cliffs, about 2 meters above high tide. The middle spring has the hottest water and greatest flow, while the dissolved mineral content is moderately high, mainly consisting of sulphate, sodium, and bicarbonate. The water has a slight sulphur smell, which adds to the overall relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

A bathing pool about 4 meters by 5 meters has been blasted out of the bedrock, and a sturdy shed has been built over the pool to protect visitors from the elements. A plaque bolted to the nearby bedrock commemorates the forestry crew that built the pool. There is also a smaller vent about 15 meters west along the shoreline of the pool, and several seeps can be found just below the high-tide line just east of the main bathing pool.

One of the unique features of Shearwater Hot Springs is an old logging camp on the east side of the bay, with only one building remaining standing. The site also includes a bathhouse that was originally built in August 1986 by a crew of volunteers from C.F.I. In June 2008, the original bathhouse was removed and rebuilt in partnership with BC Timber Sales, BC Parks, Haisla First Nation, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts.

photo courtesy of Rob Mangelsdorf