Cortes Island

Peaceful and welcoming Cortes Island is one of the most inspiring of the islands of the Discovery Islands, with its lakes, beaches, and jagged gorges.

This Island is one of the archipelago islands known as the Discovery Islands in British Columbia, Canada, located at the northern end of the Gulf of Georgia and between Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast on British Columbia Mainland.

Cortes Island is roughly halfway between Powell River and Campbell River. The island is 25 km (16 mi) long, 13 km (8 mi) wide and 130 km² (50 sq mi) and 13,000 hectares in area.. It has a population of approximately 1000 permanent residents. Cortes is the largest community.

This island is known for its abundant wildlife, delicious shellfish, and self-sufficient people, Cortes offers visitors a wide variety of things to see and do.

For the outdoor enthusiasts

Cortes is surrounded by clean salt water and snow capped mountains. The land and sea are home to bald eagles, many species of seabirds, shore birds and marine mammals, as well as deer and other smaller creatures.

The island offers the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Boating, sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, swimming, and bird watching are some of the many outdoor activities available to residents and visitors.

The island offers numerous recreational activities. There are hiking trails, parks and beaches to enjoy. Hague Lake in Manson's Landing Provincial Park has a sandy beach. The island's trails are great for hiking and mountain biking, and there is a campground and beautiful beach in Smelt Bay Park.

Cortes is at the entrance to world-famous boating destination of Desolation Sound.

Gorge Harbour has a marina, and there are government wharves at Cortes Bay, Whaletown, Squirrel Cove, Manson's Landing, and Gorge Harbour.

Salmon fishing attracts many visitors to the region. There are local charter boat operators available for fishing or wildlife viewing excursions. It's easy to catch sight of wildlife on ruggedly beautiful Cortes.

Cortes Islands Communities and areas

Whaletown - Manson's Landing - Squirrel Cove

The main islands in the Discovery Island chain area:Quadra Island,Cortes Islands, Hernando Island, Read Island, Maurelle Island, Sonora Island, East Thurlow Island, West Thurlow Island, Stuart Island, East Redonda Island, West Redonda Island, Rendezvous Islands, Twin Islands, Cordero Channel

Other things to do and see!

The island boasts many beautiful beaches and lagoons that are perfect for bird watching.

Cortes has a thriving arts and crafts industry. Drum makers, potters, painters, carvers, and other artisans live and work on the island. Cortes Craftshop in Squirrel Cove, a co-op of island artists and craftspeople, showcases local work. Island galleries and gift shops also sell local art and crafts.

Life here will remind you of a simpler time.

There are Saturday night dances, Friday markets, summer festivals, general stores and a local craft store. There are no fast food franchises, no malls and no night clubs. You’ll find friendly people who make you feel welcome and give you the same sense of security that you might have felt as a child in a small rural town. It still feels that way here!

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. This island is located at the north end of the Sunshine Coast. There are lush rain forests and many Arbutus trees and Manzanita bushes that love the hot dry areas of the island