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Island of the Discovery Islands in British Columbia, Canada
Photo: Gerry Thomasen, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Cortes Island is one of the Discovery Islands off the coast of British Columbia. In 2016, it had about a thousand permanent residents. In summer, Cortes Island's peaceful atmosphere and warm weather draw many visitors.
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Small museum with a mix of rotating exhibits and permanent exhibits focusing on local history, First Nations artifacts, a pioneer kitchen and a reading corner with local stories and photos. Outside there is a heritage garden and logging shed.
Park set amidst old-growth and second-growth forest between two lakes. There are many hiking trails, some with moderate climbs and a number of viewpoints. Access is from one of the following two points: Seaford Rd access – at the sharp bend in the road near the Cortes Motel, look for the wooden mapboard; Kw'as Bay Rd access – look for the "park trail" sign near Lowe Rd
Park spanning the ground between Hague Lake and Manson's Lagoon, with a day use area on each. The beaches are popular for swimming, particularly Hague Lake which is warm in summer. Canoeing and other water activities are also popular. There are some short hiking trails and beach walks.
Sailing cruises, kayak tours and kayak rentals from May through September. Depending on the season, sailing trips go to Mittlenatch Island (May/June), Desolation Sound (July-Sept) or other parts of the Discovery Islands. Kayak tours are guided from one of the docks on Cortes Island or "mothership tours" where point-to-point travel is done by the Misty Isles ship and then you kayak at the destination.
Park with a pebble beach, canoeing/kayaking, fishing, a small number of picnic tables in the day-use area and camping. At low tide, you can walk along the beach from the park south to Sutil Point. The park's name comes from the capelin fish that spawn in the area in the fall, which attracts other marine life and birds.
Grocery store with cafe serving coffee and deli sandwiches.
Grocery store, cafe and bakery. The cafe and bakery serves breakfast sandwiches, wraps, pizza, sandwiches and a variety of freshly-made breads and baked goods.
Ten room motel in a forest setting. Room options range from one double or queen bed to rooms with two beds and a pull-out sofa, and eight of the rooms have a full kitchen. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and use of communal outdoor spaces including BBQs, picnic tables, a swing and green space.
Marina with a number of accommodation options. Tenting and RV campsites (some RV sites are full serviced). The grounds include an outdoor pool, hut tub and playground. Motorboats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent.
Seasonal campground with 22 vehicle accessible camping spots. The sites are generally spacious and in a forest. There are pit toilets and cold water but no electrical hookup. The pebble beach and day-use area are a short walk away. The gates are open 7AM-10PM and the campground operates from early May to the end of Sept.
Small shop featuring crafts and textiles from local artisans.
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