Travel & Tourism Accommodations, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants & Information
Cortes Island BC Links
| Accommodations | Activities | Transportation | Restaurants | Services | Why go to Cortes Island |
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Cortes Island Travel & Tourism Accommodations, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants & Information
Cortes Island (pronounced Cortez) is situated at the entrance of Desolation Sound, on the northern end of the Strait of Georgia. It lies between Campbell River on central Vancouver Island and the mainland coast of British Columbia. It is one of the Discovery Islands, boasting serene lakes, gorgeous beaches and craggy gorges. It consists of three settlements: Whaletown at the ferry dock, Manson's Landing with its wonderful beaches, and Squirrel Cove, a waterfront haven that faces Desolation Sound. Cortes Island is approximately 25 km (16 miles) long, 13 km (8 miles) wide. Vancouver Island shelters the southern half of Cortes from the rain, giving it a much drier climate than the northern half of the island. Cortes has a population of 950 people. Most live on the southern end. Cortes Island, one of the Discovery Islands, is all about beauty - beautiful views, beautiful scenery - it is everywhere. |
Cortes Island British Columbia |
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Cortes Island Elven Glade photo by Richard Trueman |
You can get to Cortes Island from the BC Ferry Terminal in Campbell River.
A 10-minute ferry ride from Campbell River takes you to Quathiaski Cove on the west coast of Quadra Island. A 15-minute drive to the eastern coast of Quadra takes you to Heriot Bay, the ferry terminal for the 45-minute ferry trip across Sutil Channel to Cortes Island.You can get to Campbell River by Bus (Coach) from Victoria
Island Coach Lines. Information & reservations:
Victoria (250) 385-4411.British Columbia Ferries
Anywhere in BC call: 1-888-BCFERRY
Victoria and outside of BC
(250) 386-3431
You can also get to Cortes Island through direct flights to Cortes via seaplane. Flights to Manson's Landing on Cortes are available during the summer months from Vancouver (1 hr) and Seattle (2 hrs).
By airplane: Air Canada runs daily flights to Campbell River (on Vancouver Island) and Powell River (on the mainland) from Vancouver and Seattle. Take the airport shuttle service from the Campbell River Airport to the ferry terminal in downtown Campbell River. From the Powell River Airport, you can take a shuttle to Lund and then a water taxi to Cortes. You must make arrangements in advance for this service (call 250-287-7577). Pacific Coastal Airlines also flies from the Vancouver Airport South Terminal to Campbell River.
CORTES ISLAND ACCOMMODATIONS
Tai Lai Lodge, Toll Free: 1-800-939-6644 or 1-250-935-6711, Email: stay@taililodge.com
Box 16, Cortes Bay, Cortes Island, British Columbia, Canada V0P 1K0
Bayview Bed & Breakfast, Box 110, Whaletown, Cortes Island, British Columbia, V0P 1Z0, Phone: (250) 935-6301
Eagle Acres B&B, Cortes Island, BC, V0P 1K0, phone: 250-935-6385Fairhaven Farm & B&B, Manson’s Landing Box 141, Cortes Island, British Columbia Canada, V0P 1K0, Phone: (250) 935-6501
The Gallery at Smelt Bay, Cortes Island, BC, phone: 250-935-6404
HOLLYHOCK, Phone 1- 800 933 6339 ext. 232, 1- 250 935 6576 (outside North America),
FAX US: 250 935 6424, EMAIL US: registration@hollyhock.ca, OR WRITE US VIA SNAIL MAIL:
Hollyhock, PO Box 127, Manson's Landing, Cortes Island, B.C. Canada V0P1K0
Gorge Harbour B&B, Robertson Rd., P.O. Box 87, Whaletown,
Cortes Island, British Columbia, V0P 1K0, Phone: (250) 935-6432Nelson's Yard Bed & Breakfast, Lot 4 Coutler Bay Road, Whaletown, BC, V0P 1Z0, phone: 250-934-6474 fax: 250-935-6422
Picard's Bed and Breakfast, Box 165 Manson's Landing, Cortes Island, BC, V0P 1K0, phone: 250-935-6683
Snug Cove Bed & Breakfast, Box 178, Manson's Landing,
Cortes Island, British Columbia, V0P 1K0, Phone: (250) 935-6608Victoria Summers B&B, General Delivery, Cortes Island, British Columbia
Canada, V0P 1K0, Phone: (250) 935-6594Cabins and Cottages
- Cortes Beach House , Cortes Island, 474 Smelt Bay Road, British Columbia, Canada,
Tel:(250)386-8776
- Cortes Cabana, Cortes Island, Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada.
Tel:(250)935-6915- Healing Waters Beach Retreat, Cortes Island, Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada.
Tel:(250)935-6409- Manzanita Cottage, Cortes Bay, Cortes Island, B.C
Tel:(250)935-6361- Rustic Cabin, Cortes Island, Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada.
Tel:(250)935-0074- Sowelu by the Sea, Manson's Landing, Cortes Island, BC, Canada
Tel:(250)935-6777- Sutil Adventures, Cortes Island, Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada.
Tel:(250)287-3889- Tan Island Lodge, Gorge Harbour, Whaletown, Cortes Island, BC
Tel:(250)935-6751- Waterfront Cabin, Cortes Island, Gulf Islands, British Columbia, Canada.
Tel:(250)935-6361Kayaking, Boating, and Adventure Tours
Spirit of the West Adventures, PO Box 569 Heriot Bay BC CA V0P 1H0
Phone: 250 285-2121, Toll Free: 1 800 307 3982
Sea kayaking tours around Vancouver Island, British Columbia including Johnstone Strait, Desolation Sound, Quadra Island, the Discovery Islands and day tours every day from Campbell River. Most of the tours cater to the novice paddler with a desire for adventure.Sudden Adventure, Cortes Island BC, V9M 1N8, Phone: 1 250 339-7495
Offers guided hikes and multi-day wilderness backpacking trips to Cape Scott Provincial Park. Sea kayaking around Cortes Island is also an adventure. Tours offered in small groups.Rising Tide Sea Kayak Adventures, Heriot Bay BC,
Phone: 1 250 285-2923
Wilderness kayak tours to the Discovery Islands, South Johnstone Strait, and Desolation Sound, featuring meals, guides, equipment and small group sizes. Trips leave from Campbell River, Quadra and Cortes Islands.Retreats
Gorge Harbour Marina Resort, Cortes Island, BC, Phone: 1 250 935-6433
A lodge overlooking the water with an RV park and campground. Amenities include a common lounge, a kitchen, and laundry facilities. A licensed restaurant and full service marina are also located here.Hollyhock Educational BC Retreat Centre, PO Box 127, Manson's Landing, Cortes Island BC V0P 1K0, Phone: 250 935-6576 Email: registration@hollyhock.ca
This renowned learning/retreat centre features a variety of programs, including business seminars, wellness lectures and personal development. Lavish meals and exhilarating recreational activities are also available.The Floathouse Restaurant, Whaletown Cortes Island BC,
Phone: 250 935-6631
Located at Gorge Harbour Marina Resort, this waterfront restaurant is open daily for dinner and for lunch during July & August.The Tak Family Restaurant, Phone: 250 935-8555
This restaurant is a favourite among locals and visitors. Open from 5pm to 9pm, the waterfront establishment, located at Gorge Harbour Marina Resort, welcomes children and families. Take-out is also available.Cortes Cafe, Phone: 250 935-6886
This cafe offers a variety of choices, serving a mix of fresh-baked goods, burritos, vegetarian food, hearty lunches, home-style pizza and desserts.STORES
There are four general stores: Whaletown, Gorge Harbour Marina, Squirrel Cove, and Cortes Market in Manson's.COMMUNITY HALLS
The Whaletown Community Club is located at Gorge Harbour. There's also Manson's Hall (South Cortes Community Association) and the Klahoose Band Hall at Squirrel Cove.CAMPGROUNDS AND MARINAS
There is a government campsite at Smelt Bay.There's a public Marina in Gorge Harbour with a restaurant, store, gas, propane, laundry, showers, etc. There are two private marinas in Cortes Bay owned by the Seattle Yacht Club and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (members only). There are laundry and shower facilities near Squirrel Cove store.POST OFFICE
Your local post office can be found at Manson's Hall and Whaletown. Open three days a week - Monday, Wednesday, & FridayMEDICAL
Ambulance service on Cortes is part of the B.C. Ambulance Service. There are trained attendants on duty 24 hours a day. The Cortes Emergency First Aid Service is part of P.E.P. Provincial Emergency Program. Dr Philip Foster is the resident doctor on Cortes. The clinic at Manson's Community Hall is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday.