Cortes Island

Located at the western entrance to Desolation Sound, a world-famous boating destination, Cortes Island is a vibrant community of 1,200 people. On the sunny southern shores of the island is Hollyhock, Canada's leading Conference and Educational Retreat Centre. Mid-island is home to the Gorge Harbour Marina Resort, a popular destination for boaters, with its first class moorage, boat services, restaurant, newly renovated pool, campground and store.

Located in Cortes Bay, on the east side of Cortes Island overlooking Desolation Sound, are two private marinas. These are the outposts for the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and the Seattle Yacht Club.

The clean, clear waters around Cortes Island make it an ideal place to grow oysters, which is a thriving and important Cortes industry. The Cortes Island Shellfish Association supports the local shellfish industry, while the July annual Oyster Festival beckons oyster lovers from all over the West Coast.

Every year the Linnaea Farm Ecological Garden Program hosts students from all over the world. On the same property is Linnaea School which is a small, independent school and is one of two schools on the island.

Other services include ferry and water taxi services, two post offices, two fire halls, ambulance service and a medical centre, community halls, a Vancouver Island Regional Library, a public school, high speed internet through TwinComm, a bus service to and from Campbell River, restaurants, several stores including an organic co-op, a recycling centre and many other services.

Whether you are a family with children or retired couple looking for your dream place, in addition to the numerous services that Cortes Island has to offer you, there is clean air, clean water and plenty of peaceful moments.