FERRY
Cortes is reached by ferry starting with a 15 minute trip from Campbell River to Quadra Island. A 10 minute drive across Quadra island takes you to Heriot Bay where you board the ferry 'TANAKA' for the 45 minute ride to Cortes. The ferry docks in Whaletown Bay and you can look across the bay at the settlement of Whaletown with it's general store, post office, library and Government dock.

STORES
Four general stores serve the needs of islanders: Whaletown; Gorge Harbour Marina; Squirrel Cove; and Cortes Market in uptown Manson's. Automotive fuel is available at Gorge Harbour Marina and Squirrel Cove store. Marine fuel is available at Gorge Harbour Marina. Propane is available at Whaletown, Gorge Harbour and Squirrel Cove.

COMMUNITY HALLS
Community Halls are located at Gorge Harbour (Whaletown Community Club), Manson's Hall (South Cortes Community Association) plus the Klahoose Band Hall at Squirrel Cove.

MARINAS AND CAMPGROUNDS
There is one public Marina located in Gorge Harbour with a restaurant, store, gas, propane, laundry, showers, facilities for boaters and campers plus scooter, bike, kayak, boat and car rentals. There are two private marinas in Cortes Bay owned by the Seattle Yacht Club and the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (members only). There is laundry and shower facilities near Squirrel Cove store. There is also a government camp site at Smelt Bay.

POST OFFICE
There is a post office at Manson's Hall and one at Whaletown. Service is provided on a three day a week basis (Mon. Wed.& Fri)

ELECTRIC POWER & TELEPHONE
Available throughout most areas of the island.

SCHOOL
There is an organized play school plus Public School from K thru grade 10. There is a popular alternate school at Linnea Farm and many families choose home schooling. North Island College has a learning center at Manson's Hall providing university credit courses as well as leisure learning (non-credit) programs.

MEDICAL
There is an ambulance service on Cortes that is part of B.C.A.S. (B.C. Ambulance Service) with trained attendants on duty 24 hours a day. C.E.F.A.S. (Cortes Emergency First Aid Service) is part of P.E.P. (Provincial Emergency Programs). Dr Philip Foster is the resident doctor on Cortes and the clinic at Manson's Community Hall is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

FIRE PROTECTION
There are two fire halls on the island. One at Manson's and one in Whaletown. Both are manned by trained island volunteers.

OTHER
Church services at Cortes Bay and Manson's. Bus service (Cortes Connection) to Campbell River 3 days a week. Liquor store at Squirrel Cove store. Restaurants (the Float House) seasonally at Gorge Harbour Marina, (Cafe Suzzanne's) at Squirrel Cove, (Corte's Cafe) in the community hall at Manson's. Cortes Island Motel located near Hague Lake plus numerous Bed & Breakfast operations. Quadra Island Credit union with offices at Manson's Hall. Coffee shop, library, thrift store open on mail day's at Manson's Hall. Personal services provided by island residents are too numerous to mention here and range from hairdressers to massage therapist.