Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park, Qualicum Beach: Hours, Address, Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park Reviews: 4.5/5
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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4.5
659 reviews
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RPorter
1 contribution
Jun. 2022 • Couples
It’s a great experience, we found ourselves surprised at the amount of interaction you are able to have within the caves,
TJ was An amazing cave guide, he was comfortable, he knew what he was doing, he cracked some (more than some) jokes
He added his own flair and knowledge to the landscapes and environment we were going through.
Would highly recommend the experience,
Thanks again for an awesome tour
TJ was An amazing cave guide, he was comfortable, he knew what he was doing, he cracked some (more than some) jokes
He added his own flair and knowledge to the landscapes and environment we were going through.
Would highly recommend the experience,
Thanks again for an awesome tour
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Melinda O
5 contributions
Jun. 2022 • Couples
It was an excellent tour! Fun, informative and little challenging! Our guide, Emile had a great humor and he was very helpful too! Hope I can go back to visit more caves! Beautiful formations!
Written June 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KirkyD9
Vancouver, Canada5 contributions
Jun. 2022
After years of driving by the signs on the highway, we decided it was finally time for a cave tour. (They came highly recommended by many friends!) We had hoped to do the Max Depth tour, but the wet spring meant that there was still too much water in early June. We were warned about a week ahead that we might have to change tours, and all the communication about the change was timely and helpful. The Multi-Cave tour didn't feel like a downgrade at all, it was so cool. Our guide Emil was great: super knowledgeable and enthusiastic, kept things interesting for every member of the group, and had loads of corny jokes. I'll be back someday for the longer tour, I really want to do the rappelling!
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Courtenay N
Victoria, Canada14 contributions
Jun. 2022
Me and my mom went and did this finally after wanting to do it for years, and it did not disappoint. We had Emil as our guide and he was funny and knowledgeable. They are nice small groups and we felt safe the entire time. Be prepared to get down and dirty :) Definitely worth the trip!
Written June 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Colleen C
1 contribution
Jun. 2022
My sons and I had a wonderful time on our tour today. This was my 5th time doing this tour and every time it feels like it's my first! It really is one of those MUST SEE places to visit! Special thank you to our amazing tour guide Chloe.... erm... Kurtis :) He was very informative and so funny he had us laughing through the entire tour!
Written June 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Adam L
1 contribution
Jun. 2022 • Friends
It was quite a memorable experience made better by our knowledgeable and passionate guide Oscar. Got to see some really interesting formations and learn about the geologic history of the area. Oscar took care to check in with us and make sure we were never uncomfortable with any part of the experience.
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Juneau
Washington1 contribution
May 2022 • Family
We really enjoyed our experience and our guide Curtis was both insightful and funny! Totally worth coming back to explore more caves!
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nicole
Langley, Canada3 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Such a crazy cool experience!! Not at all what we were expecting. A fun wild adventure through deep coastal caves. Our guide Chloe was awesome! She was very knowledgeable and super fun 😊 Thanks to all the staff & crew for making this out of world (or should I say inner… haha) experience possible!
Written May 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Fer Medina
1 contribution
May 2022
The crew waited for us even though they didn't have to, they gave us a call to see how far off we were from the caves and let us catch up to the group. Understanding and with great customer service. Tour guides are knowledgeable and versed about the caves, they are open to any questions and pretty relaxed (The tourists are the ones that don't ask questions and make it lame). You don't really have to be fit to go in Riverbend, they make it family-friendly. Great experience,
Written May 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
NJehn
4 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Had an amazing 1st time cave experience with my family here this past Saturday. Way cooler than I dreamed, and definitely the highlight of our trip to Parksville. We all learned alot about caves and how they are formed. We all loved our tour guide Chloe, and even though my kids have still not stopped talking about the darkness, drinking cave water, and climbing a waterfall, they both say their fave part of the exp was Chloe:)
Written May 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kris-goes-places
214 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?
johnG2004FS
Nanaimo, Canada52 contributions
I would describe the hike to the main cave and the journey into the cave as moderate in activity level If you are comfortable with hiking through uneven terrain, you will be fine. There were 6 year old twins in our group and did fine with extra help from their dad.
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, Denmark618 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.
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
- (10.61 km) Free Spirit Spheres
- (10.80 km) Stamp Falls B & B
- (10.85 km) Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel
- (10.88 km) Cedar Wood Lodge Bed & Breakfast Inn & Conference Center
- Restaurants near Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park:
- (10.61 km) Pescadores Bistro
- (12.86 km) Little Bavaria Restaurant
- (12.84 km) Brie & Barrel Bistro
- (10.42 km) Boomerangs Cafe
- (11.03 km) Tidal Taco Shack
- Attractions near Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park:
- (1.04 km) Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
- (13.95 km) Cathedral Grove
- (12.93 km) Lady Rose Marine Services
- (13.60 km) Vancouver Island Soaring Centre
- (10.37 km) Stamp River Provincial Park