One of the best-protected anchorages in Desolation Sound, Squirrel Cove is a sprawling, nearly landlocked bay on the east side of Cortes Island, complete with a tidal lagoon reached by reversing rapids and a general store just around the corner.
Squirrel Cove is made up of an outer bay, which fronts the public wharf and the Squirrel Cove Trading Co. general store, and a far better-protected inner bay reached through a narrow passage at the north end of the outer cove. The inner bay is large, deeply indented with nooks and crannies, and offers room to swing or stern-tie ashore. In peak August weather it can hold well over a hundred boats.
Holding is in sticky grey mud that grips well once you have set adequate scope. Typical anchoring depth in the inner bay runs about 30 to 40 feet, with deeper water of around 60 feet in the outer bay. Avoid the northern corner, where logs and old cables on the bottom are known to foul anchors.
The cove's signature attraction is the tidewater lagoon at its head, entered through reversing rapids that run hard in on a flood and out on an ebb. Cruisers explore it by dinghy or kayak near slack water; the general store, restaurant, laundry and showers ashore round out a stop that combines wilderness anchoring with easy provisioning.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
Approach Squirrel Cove from Lewis Channel along the east side of Cortes Island. Off the entrance, give Boulder Point and its day beacon a very wide berth: there are poorly charted rocks just off the point, and additional rocks extend beyond the marker, so stand well off. Several guides advise favoring the western side when entering the outer bay.
Passage into the inner bay is through a narrow channel, roughly 50 yards wide and about 15 feet deep, at the north end of the outer cove. Take it slowly and watch your sounder. The reversing rapids at the head of the cove lead only to the lagoon and should be transited by dinghy near slack only, never by a cruising boat; the current runs fast on both flood and ebb.
Wind protection summary and tide planning at a glance. Full per-direction and 7-day detail with Plus.
Live readings from the nearest OpenWeather station and WorldTides; refreshed every few minutes.
Source: OpenWeather One Call API + WorldTides.
A curated photo + map walkthrough showing approach, mooring options, and points of interest.
A guided walkthrough of Squirrel Cove with approach photos, depth notes, and points of interest — written by members who have been here recently.
Real first-hand reports and questions answered by members who have actually been here.
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