Welcome to Hesquiaht

In 1964 our village was located at the head of the Bay in Refuge Cove when the Tsunami hit. The village was decimated and those who lived there were displaced until 1972 when the decision was made to relocate to the east side of Refuge Cove, where the community remains to this day. Hesquiaht First Nation has 700 members. Of those many live in urban centers from Port Alberni to Nanaimo, Victoria, and Vancouver. Click Here To Learn more about Hesquiaht Tsunami Story
Hesquiaht people still practice and pass down cultural traditions from generation to generation. Each of our Houses (knows as clans in other First Nation traditions) hold their cultural teachings very sacredly.
We are surrounded by natural wonders and opportunities to explore nature at every corner. Hot Springs Cove is located 30 nautical miles away from Tofino, BC. Our community lies on one side of the bay and the natural Hot Springs lie on the other side of the bay, a board walk trail meanders through the forest from the government wharf to bring you to the “Springs”. Three showers cascade over the rocks and fill 3-5 small pools, depending on if the tide in high or low.
In Hesquiaht Harbour, Cougar Annies Garden is site to behold. A vast garden in the middle of the rainforest. Here you will see native and introduced plant species along with Cougar Annie’s original home and other interesting building structures that are meant to blend and fit within the environment. You will also find the scenic Hesquiaht Peninsula Trail within the Hesquiaht Harbour. This is a 50km trail suited to intermediate and experienced hikers. The trail will take you through the rainforest and along the ocean.
Hesquiaht is a great destination for those wishing to reconnect with the land. We are a friendly people, willing to share what we have with peoples from the world over.