49°N · History & Culture
What is Gorge Harbour known for?
Gorge Harbour is a fully protected, Klahoose-owned marina resort on Cortes Island, entered through a painted gorge of pictographs and burial caves — the corridor's civilized night, with a pool, year-round fuel, and a seaplane dock.
Quick facts
- Where
- Cortes Island, entered via Uganda Passage; Gorge Harbour Marina Resort
- Name
- Sa'y'ilh, "two waters in one"; the resort is wholly owned by the Klahoose First Nation
- Entrance
- A narrow painted gorge — First Nations pictographs (west cliffs) and ancient burial caves (east); honour from the water, land nowhere near
- Dock
- 1,800 ft of docks to 250-ft vessels · 30/50A · VHF 66A · reserve May 15–Sep 15
- Supplies
- Diesel + ethanol-free gas year-round, propane, store + liquor, laundry/showers; pool + hot tub; seaplane dock
Gorge is the civilized night of the cruise: a fully protected "two waters in one" behind a painted gorge, Klahoose-owned hospitality, a pool after days of salt, and the corridor's most reliable fuel east of Lund. Time the entrance photos for low sun on the west cliffs; give the burial sites silence and distance. The harbour's name Sa'y'ilh means "two waters in one," and today the whole resort is wholly owned by the Klahoose First Nation — the story come full circle.
Approach & stay
From the Shark Spit side, use Uganda Passage — narrow, shallow, and buoyed; stay strictly to the marks — then ease slowly through the tight gorge entrance, admiring the pictographs from the water only. Captain's judgment is final. Inside there are 1,800 ft of docks to 250-ft vessels with 30/50A power (reserve May 15–Sep 15; check-in 12:00, out 11:30), or you can anchor in the bay. The resort runs diesel and ethanol-free gas year-round, plus propane, a store and liquor, laundry, showers, and a seaplane dock that doubles as an air-transfer node for joiners. Planning to dig clams on the flats? Check DFO PSP closures before harvesting — closed means no digging.
Verified against the operator, cruising guides and BC sources, July 2026. Captain's judgment is final.
Common questions
Can't get a slip — any trick?
The operator's own tip is that space often opens after ~4:00 pm, so ask again at 16:00. Reserve ahead in the May 15–Sep 15 season.
Can I see the pictographs?
From the water only. Honour the pictographs and the burial caves with silence and distance — land nowhere near them.