Located on Cortes Island, Smelt Bay Provincial Park is named for the capelin fish that spawn on the shore in late September and early October. These small silver-green, sardine-sized fish draw a variety of other marine life to the area, including salmon, seals, sea lions, seabirds and otters.
The pebble beach is backed by mounds which are believed to have been built by Coast Salish First Nations as a form of defense.
and some video…
There are access roads leading into Smelt Bay Provincial Park – the lower, shoreline access on Smelt Bay Road is paved and smooth, the access road through the camp ground off Sutil Point Road is gravel and dirt and pretty nasty…