Cortes Island is a tiny island nestled at the gateway to Desolation Sound in B.C., known for its plentiful old-growth forests and white-sand beaches. All the vacation vibes you could ask for, and it won’t cost you an arm or a leg for a plane ticket!
The picturesque spot offers visitors access to a wealth of natural wonders, such as a swimmable lagoon, deep blue inlets to paddle through, and striking cliff formations, making it a perfect destination for a weekend getaway.
Parks & white-sand beaches
Visitors have a handful of forests and provincial parks at their fingertips, including Children’s Forest and Grandmother Grove. The former stretches from Whaletown to Carrington Bay and makes for an ideal half-day trip. The latter sits on the southwestern bank of the bay, with sand disappearing into the mouth of a stream surrounded by forest.
Smelt Bay is also a stunning provincial park on the south peninsula of the island, known widely for its beautiful shoreline and beaches (park gates open May 1, 2025).
Looking for even more opportunities to explore? Ha’thayim (von Donop) Marine Provincial Park is an undeveloped marine park encompassing multiple lakes, estuaries, a saltwater lagoon, and an ancient forest, and 170 acres of lush hiking trails await at Kw’as Park between Hague and Gunflint Lakes.
If you’re seeking more of a beachy vibe, there are six white-sand beaches to lounge at, both lakeside and seaside. If it’s a water adventure you’re after, the freshwater lakes offer “warm waters” ideal for kayaking, paddle boarding, and canoeing, according to the island’s website.
“Though the water of the Salish Sea is colder than the balmy lakes, many Cortes Islanders swim in the ocean — some are crazy enough to do it year-round!”
How to get to the island
It’s a trek and a half to get there, but the journey is so worth it. Visitors can catch the ferry from Campbell River on North Central Vancouver Island, following the signs across Quadra Island to Heriot Bay, where they can access a second ferry to Cortes Island.
According to the island’s website, the last connecting ferry to Cortes Island leaves Campbell River at 6:15 p.m. and leaves Heriot Bay at 6:45 p.m.
Water taxis are also available from the Sunshine Coast to Campbell River, speeding up the journey if you want to bypass ferry wait times.
So there you have it, island lovers. Your next outdoor adventure is calling!
How to get there: Take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver, to Nanaimo and drive an hour and a half to Campbell River via BC-19 N. Then take a ferry to Heriot Bay, where you can catch one more ferry to Cortes Island
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