Anchorage· Cortes· Salish Sea — San Juans, Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound
Cortes Bay (Cortes Island)
50° 3.8′ N · 124° 55.8′ W
A well-protected bay on the south-east side of Cortes Island, the first good shelter for boats coming across from Desolation Sound. Two private yacht-club outstations take much of the shore, with a small public wharf at the head.
Practical
Coordinate is the OSM bay point. Federal Designated Sewage Area: no sewage discharge. The bottom is soft mud and does not hold well in places; holding is poor in strong east and south-east winds, so use plenty of scope and set well. Good holding has been reported east of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club outstation, off the mouth of a small drying cove. Charted rocks and reefs at the entrance have caught many boats: use chart 3538 and pass south of Three Islets. Seattle Yacht Club (south shore) and Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (north shore) outstations are members only, no reciprocals. The small public wharf at the head is usually full in summer, with rafting; it is fine for a dinghy. No services; nearest store at Mansons Landing or Squirrel Cove.
Best for
Shelter on the Cortes side of the Sound
Season
May-Sep
Nearby
- Hague Lake Beach (Cortes Island)1.8 NM away
- Mansons Landing (Cortes Island)2.1 NM away
- Gorge Harbour Anchorage (Cortes Island)3 NM away
- Squirrel Cove General Store (Cortes Island)3.3 NM away
- Squirrel Cove Public Wharf (Cortes Island)3.3 NM away
- Desolation Bluffs and Sarah Point3.8 NM away
- Gorge Harbour Marina Resort (Cortes Island)4.1 NM away
- Squirrel Cove Inner Anchorage (Cortes Island)4.1 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).