Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Explore the Hidden Gem of Vancouver Island, now open with limited daily tour departures, smaller group sizes and new health and safety protocols. Winner of BC’s Remarkable Experience Award and ranked #1 of 22 Things To Do IN Vancouver Island. Explore this park in 3D - above by hiking through the beautiful rainforest Fossil Trail or venturing underground on a guided tour. Start your journey with a short hike through the forest to reach the cave entrance. Here you’ll begin a fascinating subterranean experience. As you step away from the emerald forest and deeper into the cave, a new world of crystal formations, marbled passages and ancient fossils are revealed. Navigate ramps, ladders and slides to meander through the caverns. Feel the cool air. Listen to the sound of your guide’s voice, the steady drip of water or the rumbling of an unexpected waterfall. Turn off your headlamp to heighten your senses and absorb the power of complete darkness on this fun and educational adventure!
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
743 reviews
Excellent
595
Very good
119
Average
15
Poor
9
Terrible
5
Robert K
23 contributions
May 2023
Our guide was excellent and the experience was great - the hike up to the caves was as note (steep and long) but once we were there the caves were great.
We rented the suit and boots - and were happy we did.
We rented the suit and boots - and were happy we did.
Written May 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Becky S
Winnipeg, Canada8 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Very interesting short cave system. Good chance to get a feel for a tight squeeze and feeling full darkness. Thank you Felix for a well done tour. This was a good intro to caving.
Written May 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barb M
5 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
I recommend getting knee pads if your over 50. Great caving experience. The waterfall climb was incredible. Our tour guides were just amazing. Remember the extra clothes you will need them. If you want to experience nature at its finest worth your time.
Written May 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel L
1 contribution
May 2023
We booked the Riverbend tour and took our 6 year old who is normally hesitant to try anything new. She was so excited to get her helmet with lights on! The tour started with a short introduction at the checkin cabin, then off on a hike with slight incline; the hike took about 30 minutes with many quick stops along the way. At each stop, our guide TJ spoke about the natural features and the formation history of the landscape. When we arrived at the cave entrance, we received a short orientation on safety inside the cave. TJ spoke about some of the cool formations inside the cave and my daughter soaked in the info like a sponge. After emerging from the cave, the hike back down to the cabin and parking lot was much shorter and easier as it was downhill. We layered our clothing (T-shirt, long-sleeve, water-resistant shell) as the hike can be warm under the sunshine but inside the cave was cool and damp. The whole experience was very educational.
Written May 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guide32419499161
1 contribution
May 2023 • Couples
We went on the Action pack tour. It was great! Our guide T.J. was lots of fun and very informative. Would highly recommend renting the cave suit and rubber boots, especially if it is a wet time of year. We would definitely go on one of their other tours as well.
Written May 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrien F
1 contribution
Apr. 2023 • Couples
The tour was amazing! Our tour guide Erin was so welcoming, knowledgeable, friendly, and just went above and beyond to make this the best experience ever!! My wife and I will do it again, and will recommend to anyone who is looking for a great experience on the island👍😊. Thank you Erin!🙏
Adrien and Stacey
Adrien and Stacey
Written April 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike S
2 contributions
Apr. 2023
Curtis was a cool dude. Talk to him about fossils and dinosaurs. Had a lot of fun.
Went with my wife. Got wet, climbed some rocks, got to enjoy the cool darkness. Also neat to see caves grow their own teeth.
Went with my wife. Got wet, climbed some rocks, got to enjoy the cool darkness. Also neat to see caves grow their own teeth.
Written April 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erika d
Hong Kong, China4 contributions
Apr. 2023 • Family
What a fun and educational experience. Our guide was fantastic and kept us all laughing and enjoying the experience throughout!!
Written April 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A&E J.
Victoria, Canada2 contributions
Mar. 2023
Such an amazing adventure! Took our family of 5 (2 adults and kids 13yrs, 11yrs, 7yrs) and we all had a blast! So much to see and experience. Ryan was a fabulous guide with lots of information and humor. He made it even more enjoyable. A bit of a hike up to the caves but there were many info stops along the way. Caves were easy to maneuver with no tight spaces. The kids say it was their favorite part of our staycation! We only wish we had done the multi-cave experience so we could have kept going! We will definitely be back!
Written April 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Climber15974465149
1 contribution
Mar. 2023
I hate the road going to the park, it's like driving on the surface of the moon. I hate the hike to get to the caves, you have to be fit just to get to the top. Everything else about the caves is excellent - wet, wild, dark, and fascinating. It's fun to squeeze into the tight spaces inside the cave (River Bend), the lower cave although not as pristine as the River Bend - I had more fun and challenge on that one (ladders, waterfalls, sliding, climbing three levels on a really, really tight spaces). My 16-year old kid loves it. Our guide was excellent, super knowledgeable. To end the tour - if you can, try the cheese grater....prepare to be shredded!
Written March 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kris-goes-places
295 contributions
My husband and I are pretty good with hikes although long distances and steep inclines would wear me down quickly. But we are not.. ahem...skinny. We are definitely the other side of skinny. Should we even bother, or is it likely that we quite frankly could not squeeze through?
Geni T
Victoria Capital Regional District, Canada28 contributions
We just did the multi-cave tour, and there were some optional places to climb or squeeze through. Our guide claimed some very large people had made it on these sections, and it’s far more about how adventurous you are and willing to squish yourself than anything else. As long as you’re in reasonable shape, the trail up to the caves is definitely a moderate (though not long) climb and you need to be strong enough to get around rocks with an overhang, doing a bit of a crab walk in a few places. It’s never for long, and there’s lots of spots to rest and look at formations. Try the 1 hour tour, see if you like it!
Cindy D
Calgary32 contributions
We're both in our 60s and not particularly fit, travelling with my 7 year old granddaughter. Is the first leg of the cave tour suitable for our little group?
Beth H
Seattle, WA17 contributions
My husband an I did the three hour visit. It involves a vigorous uphill hike to get to the caves and then about 2 1/2 hours inside. There were no children on our tour. There were many places that I had to squat/crab walk on uneven ground, wary of hitting my head. (Thank goodness for the helmet that was provided.) There are a lot of loose rocks underfoot for much of the experience. Even though I exercise daily, I found my legs to be a bit wobbly at the end of the excursion. The three hour hike involves some climbing (maybe 10 feet?? high with good hand holds in a short waterfall). Also, there are no toilet facilities available on the tour if that is an issue. Overall, I found the tour to be very enjoyable, educational, and a highlight of our trip. But it was fairly vigorous.
Melissa Hansen
Tofino, Canada90 contributions
Are they any tours or activities that would include a three year old?
notoverthehillat70
Nanaimo, Canada39 contributions
Unfortunately there is nothing organized for really young children. There are trails you can walk for free. Not sure if that would hold their interest, it would depend on the 3 year old.
Danielle_Allen
Victoria, Canada16 contributions
I'm considering the 4 hour tour as there is a Groupon available. My concern is I'm claustrophobic. How tight are the spaces (site says the height of a picnic table) and for how long of a distance? I can handle short durations but if it goes on for too long, I'm out.
islandholidaymaker
Vancouver Island, Canada334 contributions
It's very tight in places. But they told me the two hour tour was more open although I did the one hour which I assumed would be easy and it was NOT! Crouching, squeezing, climbing....barely enough room to get through in spots. I loved it but you need to be fit, agile and definitely ok with tight spaces. Ask them about the two hour tour though, they are very approachable and will give you an honest review.
AsiatripWQB
Vancouver, Canada130 contributions
Do we need to tip the tour guide?
Eddie M
Hammel, Denmark677 contributions
No if you do not want to
Shawé H
2 contributions
How good/bad is the gravel road ? can a normal car go there ?
Cave_Park_Director
Qualicum Beach, Canada3 contributions
Yes the road is a publicly-maintained gravel road. No problem for cars just take it easy on the speed. As summer is peak time around the lake, watch out for oncoming traffic - everything from ATV's to logging trucks share this road. Drive slow with headlights on and be ready to pull over and stop if necessary.
lbsowen
Black Diamond, WA32 contributions
Is there an upper age limit for the 3 hour tour?
Barry K
Ottawa, Canada101 contributions
They don't mention anything about an upper age limit, but you need to be somewhat fit and sure footed. We were on the 90 minute Family tour and there was a woman there with her 80 year old mother...she managed the hike up to the cave entrance but when she got inside she had second thoughts about the decent into the cave. I believe the 3 hour tour is much more physically challenging.
Danny T
24 contributions
Hi,
How do you get to the caves from downtown vancouver? How long does the ferry ride take? Thanks!
Spartan72
Victoria44 contributions
From Downtown Vancouver, you would take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo). The ferry ride is 1 hr, 35 min (sailing time), then by car it would be about 45 minutes north of Nanaimo. As previously stated in the other reply, I would think you would need to have a car, as the caves are actually about 15/20 minutes off the hiway near a little town called Bowser. Take the clothing recommendations on the tour seriously as well unless you want to get wet. It is really cool. One of those things that I cant believe I have lived on the island most of my life, but waited a long time to see.
HORNE LAKE CAVES PROVINCIAL PARK - 2023 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
- Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- We recommend booking Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park:
- (14.80 km) Eagle Landing Bed and Breakfast
- (10.80 km) Stamp Falls B & B
- (10.85 km) Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel
- (10.61 km) Free Spirit Spheres
- (10.88 km) Cedar Wood Lodge Bed & Breakfast Inn & Conference Center
- Restaurants near Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park:
- (12.84 km) Brie & Barrel Bistro
- (12.86 km) Little Bavaria Restaurant
- (10.61 km) Pescadores Bistro
- (10.42 km) Boomerangs Cafe
- (10.42 km) Bare Bones Fish House & Smokery
- Attractions near Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park:
- (1.04 km) Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
- (13.95 km) Cathedral Grove
- (14.46 km) Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park
- (12.93 km) Lady Rose Marine Services
- (9.96 km) MacMillan Provincial Park