Bowen Island

Getting there

See Vancouver for options to get in the Vancouver area by plane, by bus, and by train, and by boat.

By boat

By ferry

BC Ferries, toll-free: +1-888-223-3779. Operates ferries connecting coastal communities in British Columbia. (updated Jun 2022) The most popular way to get to Bowen is on BC Ferries' service from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) in West Vancouver to 1 Bowen Island (Snug Cove) on the island. The ferry crossing takes 20 minutes and generally runs hourly (except early afternoon). Daily first inbound departures are normally at 5:50AM and daily first outbound departures are at 5:20AM, except on Sundays, when outbound departures normally start at 6:20AM. Last departures vary seasonally, but generally depart sometime between 10PM and 11PM. There are 15-16 trips a day with the first ferry leaving Horseshoe Bay at 6:05AM. Fare is $12.10 for an adult foot passenger, bicycles are $2 and a car is $34.20. You can drive your car onto the Queen of Capilano in Horseshoe Bay. Be warned that during peak travel hours and during the summer there are often overloads and the ferry is often late due to high tourist traffic. Mechanical problems can cause the ferry to be cancelled and all vehicles will be stranded on Bowen Island until the ferry becomes operational again. Check the Service Notice section below the current schedule for Bowen Island on the BC Ferries webpage.

By water taxi Cormorant Water Taxi, ☏ +1 604-250-2630. Operates water taxi services in the local area, including stopping at Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. (updated May 2023)

Getting around

An information centre is located a minute's walk up the main street from the ferry dock (turn right just before the library). The centre is run by Bowen Island Chamber of Commerce, and provides lots of information on Bowen Island accommodation and activities. There is also a strong culture of hitchhiking on the island.

By public transit TransLink, ☏ +1-604-953-3333. The main public transit network in the Vancouver area, including: Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Lions Bay, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and White Rock. Its network includes buses, SkyTrain (rail rapid transit), SeaBus (ferries), West Coast Express (commuter rail), and HandyDART (door-to-door shared-ride service for those who cannot ride public transit without assistance). (updated Mar 2022) Passengers can pay for fares using Compass Cards ($6 refundable deposit), Compass Tickets, or tap-to-pay using contactless credit cards (only American Express, Mastercard or Visa) or mobile wallets. Passengers using Compass Cards and Compass Tickets pay discounted fares. Passengers can transfer for up to 90 minutes, except if taking West Coast Express, in which case they can transfer for up to 120 minutes. On bus and HandyDART, passengers can also pay in cash, but in that case will not receive change and are not eligible for transfers. Zone based fares apply between Monday and Friday for trips starting before 6:30PM, if travel involves SkyTrain or SeaBus. Outside of those hours or for travel on only bus or HandyDART, a single-zone rate applies. If travelling by West Coast Express, a higher-cost zone-based fare system applies regardless of time of travel. Children 12 and under can ride for free. People aged 13 to 18, and 65 and older pay discounted concession fares. On Bowen Island, there is a bus service on several routes that will take you around to most parts of the island, however i

See

Wander around the village of 1 Snug Cove. Visit one of the small beaches on the island. There are a couple near Snug Cove; others are scattered around the island and require transportation to get to. 2 Crippen Regional Park. 8AM-9PM in the summer (8AM - dusk at other times of the year). The park has some heritage buildings, a fish ladder, picnic sites and trails for walking, cycling and horseback riding. It is accessible from the main street in Snug Cove. (updated Aug 2023)

Do

The primary attraction of Bowen Island to Vancouverites has been to get away from everything and relax. However, if you want to do something, there are a few options. One is to rent a kayak and paddle around Snug Cove or venture around the island.

1 Bowen Island Sea Kayaking (On the dock to the right as you exit the ferry in Snug Cove), ☏ +1 604-947-9266, [email protected]. Rents kayaks by the hour or overnight. They also provide lessons and guided tours. (updated Jan 2023) There are also a number of hikes on the island. Crippen Regional Park offers a number of shorter hikes that can be done in a couple of hours. 2 Dorman Point (trail begins at the end of Snug Cove beach) provides views of the harbour and the entrance to Howe Sound. The hike to 3 Killarney Lake (about 45 minutes each way) passes through forest and the fish ladder to the lake. There is also a 4 km hike around Killarney Lake. Tougher, but with more rewarding views, is the hike to the top of 4 Mount Gardner. The trail begins 3 km from Snug Cove on Mount Gardner Road and is mostly through forest. It rises to an elevation of 719 m and on sunny days provides a very nice view. The trail is 11 km in length, so be sure to leave yourself enough time if you have to walk from Snug Cove to the trailhead.

5 Bowen eBikes, 431 Bowen Island Trunk Road, ☏ +1 778 956 7946, [email protected]. Rents electric bikes and golf carts. $50 for 2 hours and $90 for a full day's rental. (updated Feb 2024)

Buy

There are a number of small craft and souvenir shops in Snug Cove, as well as many artist studios and galleries located at 1 Artisan Square, a 5 minute drive or 15-minute walk from the Ferry.

Eat

1 Cocoa West Chocolatier, 581 Artisan Ln (15-minute walk from ferry, up the hill to Artisan Square), ☏ +1 604-947-2996. W-Su 10AM-5PM. Organic, artisanal chocolates. $10-30. (updated Feb 2018) 2 Artisan Eats Cafe & Fine Foods, 539 Artisan Lane (15-minute walk from ferry, up the hill to Artisan Square), ☏ +1 604-947-0190. Tu-Sa 8:30AM-5PM, Su 9:30AM-4PM. Housemade breads, pates, rillettes, sausages....panini sandwiches, antipasti, a great selection of local and European cheeses and fine foods. Incredible view of ocean, mountains, ferries and forest. $5-15. (updated Feb 2016) 3 Bowen Island Roasting Co. Ltd. (The BowenCoffee Store), 105-996 Dorman Rd (Under The Ruddy Potato, beside the Beer & Wine Cellar), ☏ +1 604-562-0024. M–F 7AM–5PM, Sa 9AM–5PM, Su 10AM–4PM. "The BowenCoffee Store" with everything coffee... and tea too! Gifts and souvenirs, and coffee and tea brewing supplies. The coffee is fresh roasted organic coffee and the store has over 65 organic loose leaf teas including whites, greens, oolongs, wellness, herbal, mate, matcha and blacks. Snacks, light lunches, Coffee & Tea Bar, Mario's Gelati Italian Ice Cream in summer months. 4 Doc Morgans Marina Pub and Restaurant, 437 Bowen Island Trunk Rd, ☏ +1 604-947-0808. Short walk from the ferry