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After going to the effort to reach beautiful Cortes Island, your reward is finding a campsite on the southwestern corner of the island at Smelt Bay Provincial Park, a heavenly setting on this picturesque Discovery Island.
The history of the area is as fascinating as the natural features of the park. Salish Indians are believed to have built the mounds behind the beach for their defense against marauding Yaculta Indians.
Smelt Bay is named after smelts, the small silver-green, sardine-sized fish that frequents these waters in huge numbers and attracts salmon.
The 16-hectare Smelt Bay Provincial Park is extraordinarily scenic. A beautiful pebble beach extends from the park frontage at the south end of Smelt Bay around the shoreline to Sutil Point.
This point is named after the Spanish vessel Sutil that explored these waters in 1792. Look for a petroglyph of a 3-metre fish carved into a granite boulder near the shore between Manson's Landing and Smelt Bay, as well as petroglyphs on the rock face at the entrance to nearby Gorge Harbour.
Pebbled Beach at Smelt Bay |
For a great beach walk, head south to the tip of Sutil Point. Canoeing and kayaking is permitted in the calm waters of Smelt Bay. Paddlers can set in from the beach or at the natural gravel boat launch at higher tides. This boat launch is located on the beach at the northwest corner of the park.
Saltwater fishing for salmon and rock fish can be good at this park. Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Smelt Bay is the only provincial campground on remote Cortes Island, offering a total of 23 campsites laid out in a wonderful setting in the woods, overlooking Smelt Bay.
Only the basic facilities are provided at the park, but amenities are available at Manson's Landing, Squirrel Cove and Gorge Harbour. The park is open year-round and fees are collected from May 1 to September 30. Campers must be self-sufficient during the off-season.
Nearby Mansons Landing Provincial Park offers additional day-use opportunities.
Picnic Area at Smelt Bay Provincial Park |
Smelt Bay Provincial Park and Campground is located on Cortes Island in the Discovery Islands of British Columbia. To reach the park, catch a ferry from Campbell River to Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island. Drive north to Heriot Bay and take a second ferry to Whaletown on Cortes Island.
A 12.5-mile (20-km) paved road leads from the Whaletown ferry landing to the campground along Sutil Point Road and Smelt Bay Road. Nearby communities include: Squirrel Cove, Whaletown, Cortes Island, Quadra Island, Campbell River.
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Coast Mountain Expeditions, Quadra Island |
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British Columbia eco tour kayaking in the Discovery Islands and Vancouver Island adventure vacations from our waterfront Outer Islands lodge, BC’s original sea kayak lodge since 1987. Clear sheltered waters and a spectacular rainforest wilderness of towering mountains, marine parks and abundant wildlife. Quality kayaks and instruction, multi-day sea kayak tours and adventure vacations, daytrips and kayak rentals. |
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Coast Mountain Lodge, Quadra Island |
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British Columbia's original lodge for sea kayaking and island wilderness adventures - enjoy real outer islands hospitality. Coast Mountain Lodge offers an atmosphere of peaceful quiet. Indulge in our wonderful down-home meals, explore the trails, garden and surrounding rainforest, or have an invigorating creek side sauna. Accommodation provided for multi-day kayaking tours by Coast Mountain Expeditions. |
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Desolation Sound Yacht Charters, Comox |
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Cruise magnificent Desolation Sound, Princess Louisa Inlet and areas of Central and Northern Vancouver Island, including the Broughton Group, on one of our bareboat 31’to 54’ SAIL or POWER yachts. Depart from the most northerly full service charter base on Vancouver Island. Excellent prices and selection of superior yachts. |
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Floathouse Restaurant, Cortes Island |
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The Floathouse Restaurant is fully licensed and features fresh seafood and Westcoast cuisine. We offer indoor and outdoor dining, overlooking scenic Gorge Harbour.
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Gorge Harbour Marina Resort, Cortes Island |
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Whether you are using us as a launching point into Desolation Sound or are enjoying Cortes
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Martha Abelson - Coast Realty, Cortes Island |
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Martha Abelson brings her skills as an educator, researcher, and her knowledge and love of the people and the land to the task of helping you to buy or sell your special place, home, or business on Cortes Island, where she has lived here for 27 years. Cell: (250) 203-7747. |
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RainforestNorth, Nanaimo |
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We specialize in renting Camping Equipment Packages which provide all
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Sea Kayak in Desolation Sound, Powell River |
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Powell River Sea Kayak is the premier sea kayak company for Desolation Sound. Located adjacent to Desolation Sound Marine Park, PR Sea Kayak offers guided day tours, snorkeling, all-inclusive multi-day tours, and a well stocked rental fleet. Launch kayaks from PR Sea Kayak’s waterfront site on Okeover Inlet, once home to the “Cougar Lady”, and explore Desolation Sound Marine Park. For even more destinations, another option is to launch from PR Sea Kayak’s second location in Lund. |
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Spirit of the West Kayaking, Quadra Island |
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Join our sea kayaking adventures around Vancouver Island, Canada's coastal kayaking paradise. Kayak with Killer Whales, paddle Desolation Sound, experience the remote north Nootka Sound, or kayak from the comfort of our 95 ft Mothership, the Songhee. Our sea kayaking trips depart from our base on Quadra Island in the BC Discovery Islands. |
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