This island is a short ferry ride from Quadra Island just east of the Vancouver Island city of Campbell River (which is 150 kmN of Nanaimo) and has spectacular views of the rugged Coast Mountains.
The Klahoose First Nation typically wintered in Squirrel Cove, and the travelled by sea-going canoe to summer fishing territory around Toba Inlet, a tradition which is carried on today. The island is in the Vancouver Island “rain shadow” which gives it higher than average sunshine over the year, and protects it from Pacific storms. For visitors, there are sandy beaches at Marina Island, swimming at Hague Lake and Smelt Bay Provincial Park, and hiking and mountain biking on the island’s many trails, fishing from shore or from a dock or boat, and exploring tidal pools, like at Manson’s Lagoon.
The island is also well known for the 5 storey high Wolf Bluff Castle.
Annual Events
Event | Date | Description |
| Cortes Island Day Parade | June | Parade and festival at Smelt Bay, 250-935-0076 |
| Canoe Launch | mid-June | Squirrel Cove, Tork IR #7 |
| Cortes Arts Festival | Late July | Celebrate the island’s art community with art show. |
| Sandcastle Day | Early Aug | Sandcastle competition for young and old on the island’s sandy beaches |