If you are looking for holiday location that is off the beaten path and offers the chance to enjoy the wonders of nature in a laid back atmosphere, Cortes Island may be just what you are looking for. Cortes Island is best described as remote and rural. The community on Cortes Island cherishes old time values and the residents are friendly and helpful.
How many people live on Cortes Island and who are they?
The population of approximately 1000 is an intriguing mix of old and new. Along with the early settlers and their descendants there are more recent ‘settlers’, people of all ages and backgrounds have come here in search of a more independent and casual lifestyle free from many of the troubling complexities of modern existence. This island lifestyle attracts an eclectic mix of free spirited individuals.
Where is Cortes Island located?
Cortes Island is the northernmost of the Gulf Islands on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. The Gulf Islands are located north of the San Juan Islands and are in the sheltered waters between the mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island.
How do you get to Cortes Island?
Cortes Island is accessible by ferry, boat or float plane. The slowest but most interesting way to get here is by car via the ferries. The closest town centre is Campbell River which is two ferry rides away from Cortes. If you are coming from Vancouver B.C. you can take one of two routes. BC Ferries out of Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay which is near the town of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island or from Tssawasan which is just south of Vancouver to Duke Point which is south of Nanaimo. You then drive up the island highway or take the slower more scenic seaside road up the East side of Vancouver Island to Campbell River. From Campbell River you take the ferry to Quadra Island. Drive across Quadra Island to Heriot Bay and catch another ferry to Cortes Island. See the ‘how to get here’ map and ferry links for complete instructions and ferry schedules.
What is there to do on Cortes?
Wondering what you can do when you are not relaxing with a good book in the comfort of your vacation home? The island offers the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Boating, sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, swimming, bird watching and hiking are some of the many outdoor activities available to residents and visitors. Cortes Island has many bays and inlets with good deep water moorage and it is a popular stop off point for boaters. The entrance to Desolation Sound, a well known destination for boaters, is on the east side of Cortes.
What is the weather like on Cortes Island?
Because Cortes Island is in a ‘rain shadow’ it is blessed with milder, drier weather than some of the surrounding areas. That is not to say it does not still rain on Cortes Island though! There are lush rain forests to attest to that. There are also many Arbutus trees and Manzanita bushes that love the hot dry areas of the island.
What kind of wildlife is there to see on Cortes Island?
For the bird watcher and nature lover the island is populated by a wide variety of birds including bald eagles, osprey, turkey vultures and many smaller birds that nest on the island. There is also abundant wildlife including wolves, cougars, racoons, mink, deer plus other land based wild life. The waters offer the chance to see otters, sea lions, seals, Orcas and numerous water birds. There are nature tours offered on the island plus sail boat and kayaking tours offered by Misty Isles Adventures. There are also boat and scooter rentals available at the Gorge Harbour Marina.
What do people do for entertainment on Cortes Island?
Because the island is remote the residents create their own entertainment. The two community clubs and halls organize and host dances, concerts, theatre, craft fairs, farmers markets and other festive activities. Many of the events feature well known entertainers from off island as well as resident artists. There are annual celebrations such as Cortes Day, Sandcastle Day and the Music Festival. These events are always colourful and fun and often described as ‘just like in the old days’. One visitor described his day at the Cortes Music Festival as a flash back to the 60’s.
Is there anywhere to shop on Cortes Island?
For those who love to shop and are interested in local colour and arts & crafts, Cortes Island has a co op craft shop located at Squirrel Cove, there are private and community art galleries and shops scattered about the island. There is a book store beside the Sunset Restaurant plus there is a gift shop located at Hollyhock, a popular retreat and education centre located on the south east side of Cortes Island. There are four general stores for groceries plus road side food stands with fresh organic produce, the Farmers Market at Manson’s Hall is open on Friday and offers a wider variety of foods as well as arts & crafts, as well as an open air market in Squirrel Cove on Sundays. There is also a natural food co op open to the public.
Is there a bank on Cortes Island?
The Coastal Community Credit Union has a branch on Cortes Island located down the road from Manson’s Hall. They have an ATM machine there for your convenience.
Are there any restaurants on Cortes Island?
There are a number of choices for dining out on Cortes Island. The Sunset Restaurant in ‘up town’ Manson’s Landing is open year round. The Cortes Café located in Manson’s Hall is open on mail days Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Holly Hock Retreat Center offers vegetarian food served with a flare (reservations needed). The Cove Restaurant is open seasonally and is located at Squirrel Cove. It offers fabulous views from the big outdoor deck as well as inside the lovely restaurant. The Gorge Harbour Marina offers seasonal fine dining at the Float House Restaurant overlooking the docks. In the summer time Cortes Take Out offers ‘fast food’ from the little building located in the parking lot of Cortes Market.
Is there a Post Office on Cortes Island?
There are actually three post offices on Cortes Island. One is in Manson’s Hall, one at the Squirrel Cove Store and the third one is the quaint little ‘federal building’ in Whaletown. They are open part days on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The post office in Squirrel Cove is open Monday to Friday 9-5
Is there a library on Cortes Island?
There is a library in Manson’s Hall which is part of the public library network and offers a good selection of reading material. There is also a private library in the brightly coloured little building in Whaletown. Books in the Whaletown library are donated and the library is run by volunteers and is only open on Friday afternoons.
There is also a book exchange booth in front of a private driveway located close to the ferry.
What is the Cortes Island Free Store?
The Free Store is just that! A store where you can get free stuff. The store is run by island volunteers. It is located at the Recycling Center on the road to Squirrel Cove. Islanders take items there they no longer want or need and other islanders take these treasures home to use and enjoy them. Should you find you have things you do not want to pack and take home with you they can always be given to the Free Store (only clean items in usable condition please). There is also a small Thrift Store in Manson’s Hall that will welcome your donations or would be happy to see you shop there. It is run by volunteers as well.
What else should I know about Cortes Island?
Be sure to visit some of the natural highlights of the island. Whaletown, Gorge Harbour, Manson’s Lagoon (check it out a both high and low tides!), Manson’s Bay with it’s sandy beaches, Smelt Bay, K’was Park hiking trails, Hague Lake (great for swimming!), Squirrel Cove, Cortes Bay (home of the Seattle and Royal Vancouver Yacht Clubs).
Information provided by CORTES ISLAND VACATION RENTALS.