Sanctuary
sanct·u·ar·y (noun): A place of refuge and safety.
Welcome, we are so glad you are here.
Cornet Bay Sanctuary is a rest retreat on the water’s edge in the Pacific Northwest designed for renewal, re-connection, and a return to self.
A place of elemental beauty, quiet magic, and a place designed to let you exhale.
Nestled between Anacortes and Oak Harbor in Washington’s Deception Pass State Park, Cornet Bay Sanctuary is set in one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. Framed by tidal waters, ancient forests, and sweeping views of sea and sky, this land invites a slower pace and a deeper kind of presence.
Whether you are seeking a restorative solo escape, a gathering place for friends or family, or a creative retreat held by nature, Cornet Bay Sanctuary invites you to shift into a slower rhythm of life.
Why Sanctuary?
We believe that everyone should have access to sanctuary.
We need sanctuary spaces more than ever because we live in a world that was not built for rest.
A world that rewards urgency, output and over extension, while leaving little room for stillness, reflection or care.
A world that is more “connected” than ever, yet lacks the deeper personal connections to oneself, each other and the land that holds us all.
In this world, choosing to pause is radical.
Choosing to listen inward, to soften, to reconnect these are acts of courage and resistance.
Sanctuary is our response.
A place to breathe.
To slow down.
To come home to yourself.
To return to what truly matters.
The Three Anchors of the Sanctuary Experience
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Renewal
Renewal is the process of reclaiming what’s been lost or worn thin—your energy, your spirit, your sense of wholeness. It’s about nourishing your body, replenishing your energy, and reconnecting with what it feels like to be whole.
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Reconnection
Reconnection is the conscious rebuilding of relationships—with yourself, with community, with the land, and with the deeper sources of meaning that sustain us. It reminds us that healing and belonging arise through connection.
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Reciprocity
Reciprocity is the practice of mutual care and exchange. It’s the balance of giving and receiving that nurtures healthy relationships and communities, grounded in respect, presence, and shared responsibility.
“To say this place is magical isn’t hyperbole.
Whether relaxing in the net shed with friends, exploring the bay on kayaks, hiking on the myriad trails, or just enjoying the view with a cup of coffee - the beauty is deeply restorative.
All of the details that Sarah and Gary have put into the cabins themselves (and continue to!) - make you feel right at home.”
— Kathy (recent guest)
Honoring the Land and those before us:
The shores of Cornet Bay sheltered Swinomish tribal encampments for centuries.
This land has always been a sanctuary of salmon, shellfish, camas, and cedar. Coast Salish families practiced seasonal rounds, reef-net fishing, and burning prairies to sustain balance. The pass itself was (and remains) a living bridge between islands, bays, and peoples. To be in Cornet Bay is to step into an ongoing story of reciprocity between people and place. We invite you to hold this land with care, as generations have before.
We honor that Cornet Bay and Deception Pass sit within the ancestral homelands of the Samish Indian Nation and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, whose families have lived, fished, and gathered here since time immemorial. We also recognize the historic ties of the Upper Skagit, Lummi, and Tulalip Tribes, whose Coast Salish ancestors traveled and thrived across these waters.