Cortes Island is about 25 kilometers long, 13 kilometers wide and hosts distinct areas of interest of visitors which include; the Whaletown historic tours, the Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park convergence of seasonal bird viewing, the old-growth forests preserved at Ha'thayim (Von Donop) Provincial Marine Park accessible only by boat, Canada's leading Educational Retreat Centre, wilderness camping, and dozens of gratifying photographic locations.
Population: 950
Highlights:
Cortes Day, mid-July
Hague Lake freshwater fishing
Salmon fishing May to October
Whatetown Historic Tours
Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park summertime birdwatching extravaganza
Cortes Island Museum
Galleries & Artist Community
Manson's Landing
Squirrel Cove (popular view of Desolation Sound)
History:
The Klahoose of the northern Coastal Salish Nation have been part of a cultural that has resided on the islands of the West Coast of British Columbia for over 5,000 years. Their current site of settlement is at Squirrel Cove.
In the late 1700’s, the Spanish, who came to explore and charter the islands, named Cortes Island after the Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortes. The island, however, was never an island of settlement for the Spanish during this time. It would later see interest and development by other European settlers following the eras of the gold rush and railway construction in the province.
Climate:
Summer average 19 degrees Celsius
Winter average 3 degrees Celsius
Rain shadowed by Vancouver Island, Cortes Island receives significantly less rain throughout the year.
For more information please visit www.cortesisland.com
