Anchorage· Cortes· Salish Sea — San Juans, Gulf Islands & Desolation Sound
Squirrel Cove Inner Anchorage (Cortes Island)
50° 7.8′ N · 124° 54.9′ W
A large, almost enclosed basin on the east side of Cortes Island, behind Protection Island. It holds a great many boats and is one of the most reliable all-weather anchorages in the area. A reversing tidal rapid at its head leads into a saltwater lagoon that is fun to explore by dinghy.
Practical
Coordinate is the OSM bay point for the inner basin. Federal Designated Sewage Area: no sewage discharge. Two main anchoring areas with good protection; often full of boats in summer but there is usually room. The bay was once used for log booming and sunken logs litter the bottom in places: use a trip line. Swing or stern-tie. The lagoon rapids run in on the flood and out on the ebb; time a dinghy trip near high slack and plan your way back. A trail from the north-west corner leads toward Von Donop Inlet. First Nation reserve land (Squirrel Cove 8 in OSM) lies along part of the shore; respect it and stay on public paths. Store, fuel and restaurant are at the outer bay public wharf, a dinghy ride south.
Best for
Big all-weather anchorage, lagoon by dinghy
Season
May-Sep; all-weather shelter
Itineraries that stop here
Nearby
- Squirrel Cove General Store (Cortes Island)0.8 NM away
- Squirrel Cove Public Wharf (Cortes Island)0.8 NM away
- Von Donop Inlet (Hathayim Marine Park, Cortes Island)2.5 NM away
- Refuge Cove General Store (West Redonda Island)2.9 NM away
- Refuge Cove Marina (West Redonda Island)2.9 NM away
- Gorge Harbour Anchorage (Cortes Island)3.7 NM away
- Cortes Bay (Cortes Island)4.1 NM away
- Mansons Landing (Cortes Island)4.4 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).