Friendly cove juts into Nootka Sound, the site of the historic meeting between Captain James Cook and the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations people on March 29 1778.

The Nuu-chah-nulth people extended a friendly welcome to the British visitors, rowing out in their dugout canoes to greet and trade with them. Principal amongst the goods traded were furs, mainly sea otter pelts, which were subsequently sold in China at very high prices. This trade initiated the lucrative and destructive northwest fur trade that would eventually culminate in Vancouver Island's last sea otter being killed in 1929. History in this remote area was made again when the British signed a treaty with Spain at Friendly Cove in 1790.

In an attempt to re-introduce the sea otter to its native waters, sea otters from Alaska were transplanted to Vancouver Island's northwest coastal waters in 1969-1972. Recovery has been steady and the present population on Vancouver Island is estimated at 2000. Important sea otter habitat is protected by several island parks, including the Checleset Bay Ecological Reserve, Brooks Peninsula Provincial Park and Big Bunsby Marine Provincial Park.

Santa Gertrudis encompasses 435 hectares (400 hectares of upland and 35 hectares of foreshore) and protects old-growth west coast forest as well as a coastal marine environment and habitat for marine mammals. A number of known archaeological sites are in the area, providing evidence of cultures that thrived here over the past several thousand years. The traditional territory of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation incorporates much of the western portion of Vancouver Island.

Travelling through spectacular scenery, canoeists, kayakers and yachtsmen alike will enjoy the sheltered waters of Nootka Sound. There are some beautiful shores to explore along Friendly Cove, Santa Gertrudis Cove and the sheltered waters of Boca del Infierno Bay.

Wilderness camping is allowed. There are no facilities provided within the park, but limited amenities are available at Yuquot (Friendly Cove).