Smelt Bay Provincial Park

Getting to this provincial site requires a ferry ride from Campbell River to Quadra Island, followed by another crossing to Cortes Island. The journey ends at a wide, pebble and sand shoreline facing the Strait of Georgia. Tides dictate the landscape here, exposing wide flats during the ebb that allow for long walks along the water's edge.

Smelt Bay Provincial Park takes its name from the small, silvery fish that historically spawned in these waters. Today, the area draws campers and day-trippers who come to watch the sunset over Vancouver Island. The grounds include a vehicle-accessible campground set back in the coastal forest, providing a base camp for those spending a few days on Cortes.

Marine wildlife frequents the kelp beds just offshore, and eagles often circle above the tree line. The open exposure of the beach provides clear sightlines toward the distant mountains, making it a reliable spot for evening photography.