Named by Spanish explorers in the late 1700s, Cortes Island is mucho bello—very lovely. The island is situated at the gateway to Desolation Sound, a renowned watery playground for paddlers. There are three communities on the island. Whaletown is the site of the first whaling station on the island and the location of the ferry terminal. Mansons Landing Provincial Marine Park is the crown jewel of Cortes Island, with its toe-wriggling white sand beaches and fresh or salt-water swimming. Squirrel Cove, home to the Klahoose First Nations, prides itself on its many exceptional craftspersons. Populated by fewer than one thousand people, nature moulds much of the island. A contrast to Cortes Island’s pastoral scenery is Wolf Bluff Castle. The castle is five stories high, complete with turrets, a dining hall, a dungeon and bedchambers that may be reserved.