Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
For campers, the best option is the charming
We Wai Kai Campsite
(250/285-3111,
www.wwkcampsite.ca
,
mid-May to mid-Sept., $28-32), set along a pleasant sandy beach
at the head of Heriot Bay. The more expensive sites have water views.
Getting There and Around
BC Ferries
(250/286-1412) offers services from Campbell River to the island, every hour
on the hour 6am-11pm; round-trip fare is for an adult $8.95, a child $4.55, and a vehicle
$21.45. For a cab, call
Quadra Taxi
(250/285-3598).
Accessible by ferry from Quadra Island, Cortes Island (pronounced cor-TEZ—it was
named by an early Spanish explorer) is a relatively remote place, closer to the mainland
thantoVancouverIsland.Fewvisitorsventureouthere,butthosewhodoarerarelydisap-
pointed. Aside from three small villages, the island remains in its natural state.
Manson's
Landing Provincial Park
isabeautifullittlespotsandwichedbetweenalargetidallagoon
and the forested shoreline of
Hague Lake.
In the south of the island is
Smelt Bay Pro-
vincial Park,
another great spot for swimming, beachcombing, and taking in the unique
island environment.
Practicalities
Accommodations on the island are limited, so unless you plan to camp, make reservations
beforecomingover.
Smelt Bay Provincial Park,
25kilometers(15.5miles)fromtheferry
terminal, offers campsites for $15 per site. Closer to the terminal,
Gorge Harbour Mar-
ina Resort
(Hunt Rd., Gorge Harbour, 250/935-6433,
www.gorgeharbour.com
)
offers tent
sites ($25) and full hookups ($35) beside the island's main marina, as well as four rooms
($140 s or d includes use of a kitchen), kayak and boat rentals, fishing charters, a water-
front pool, and a restaurant.
The island has no official visitors center. You can get an idea of island life by checking
out the online version of the local newspaper (
www.cortesisland.com
), which has
everything you'll need to know for a visit, as well as things you probably don't want to
know, such as where to purchase the annual calendar of naked residents.
TheferrytripbetweenHeriotBayonQuadraIslandandCortesIslandtakes40minutes.
BC Ferries
(250/286-1412) operates scheduled service between the two islands six times
daily, with the first departing Quadra Island at 9am and the last departing Cortes Island at
5:50pm. Peak round-trip fare is for each adult $10.55, child $4.65, and vehicle $25.25.
