Take a Day Trip to Bowen Island

Bowen Island is a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city. And it only takes one hour to get there. After the scenic ferry crossing, enjoy hiking, beaches, shopping, kayaking, and great restaurants. Or just chill out on the beach.

Getting to Bowen Island

Just like the name implies, Bowen Island is an island, so the only way to get there is by boat. The BC Ferry leaves from the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver. It's a 25-minute drive to Horseshoe Bay from downtown Vancouver. However, there is limited parking at Horseshoe Bay, so it's much easier to take TransLink bus 250 or 257 Express from downtown Vancouver.

There are over a dozen sailings to and from Bowen Island each day - check the schedule to see which ones work for your itinerary. The crossing takes 20 minutes. You can't make a reservation on this route. Instead, you'll need to buy your ticket when you arrive. Fare prices are round-trip, so you only need to pay on the Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island leg, not on the way back.

While you can take a car onto the ferry, you don't need to. The village of Snug Cove on Bowen Island is compact and walkable. There are also hiking trails and beaches within easy walking distance.

Browse the Boutiques and Galleries

Step off the ferry into the village of Snug Cove. You'll find boutiques and galleries lining Bowen Island Trunk Road, perfect for browsing. Start with Narwhal on the boardwalk near the ferry terminal. They carry a range of cute garden supplies, books, jewelry, clothing, and home goods.

Next, head to The Hearth Gallery. Housed in the same building as the public library, the Hearth showcases the work of local artists. It's run by the Bowen Island Arts Council, a non-profit.

Further up the road, you can find eclectic clothing at Out of the Blue Boutique and Squirrel on Bowen. Catching Stars Gallery has a curated selection of local art, including paintings, pottery, photography, and jewellery. Phoenix Books has a great selection of books by both local and global writers.

If you are up for a short walk, head up the hill to Artisan Square. It's 10 to 15 minutes from Snug Cove via a trail next to Cates Pharmacy on Bowen Island Trunk Road. Leafy Artisan Square is home to boutique clothing stores, art galleries, and Cocoa West Chocolatier.

Slow Down in Nature

You don't have to go far from Snug Cove to immerse yourself in nature.

Crippen Regional Park spreads out on both sides of the village. Grab a book and wander over to the Snug Cove Picnic Area next to the water to relax on the grass and watch the boats come and go. Or follow the trails through the forest along Killarney and Terminal Creeks. It's the perfect place to slow down and do some forest bathing or a walking meditation. If you're up for a short hike, take the four-kilometre-long trail around Killarney Lake to watch for birds.

Get up close and personal with the ocean in a kayak. Bowen Island Sea Kayaking offers guided tours and rentals from their convenient location on the dock right next to the ferry. Their three-hour shoreline tours are a great way to get a feel for the area. Or stay on the island into the evening to take one of their sunset or moonlit kayaking tours.

If you want to hit the beach, pack your swimsuit and towel, then make the short walk to Sandy Beach or Pebbly Beach. Both beaches are in Deep Bay, just north of the ferry terminal. Find a spot to lounge on the shoreline and let the sea air relax you.

Eat Local

Bowen Island doesn't have any chain restaurants - all of the cafes and eateries are locally owned.

If you're looking for something light, you've got options: Grab coffee, pastries and sandwiches at The Snug Cafe. It's inside an adorable converted cottage. Artisan Eats Cafe in Artisan Square has fresh bread, sandwiches, and a full breakfast menu, including their popular eggs Benedict on weekends. Branch on Bowen on the pier makes delicious tacos, perfect for lunch or an afternoon snack.

For dinner, don't miss Bowen Island's destination-worthy restaurants. Vancouver locals take the ferry just to eat at these spots, so they can get busy - make a reservation. Tuscany Restaurant has a gorgeous grape vine-draped patio that gets extra magical after dark when the twinkle lights come on. Their Tuscan-style pizza is perfect for sharing. You'll find Barcelona Tapas & Wine Bar next door to Tuscany. This cozy spot offers sharable small plates made with sustainable seafood and locally sourced ingredients.

For drinks, head to Copper Spirit Distillery, the coolest place for cocktails on Bowen Island. Their sleek and modern tasting room serves cocktails made with their craft whiskey, gin, and vodka.

Stay the Night

While Bowen Island makes the perfect day trip from Vancouver, you can also extend your trip and stay the night.

Spend the night in Snug Cove at Artisan Suites on Bowen. Located in Artisan Square, some of the suites have incredible views of the ocean.

Nectar Bowen Island offers cottages nestled amongst the forest in the centre of the island. Your stay includes yoga classes, guided meditation, and a vegetarian breakfast.