Bowen Island

Bowen Island is a small island at the entrance to Howe Sound, connected to Vancouver and the rest of the Lower Mainland by a short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver and a regularly scheduled water taxi from Granville Island, in downtown. The island has become a favourite tourist destination although amenities and activities are limited. Most activities involve wandering the shops or exploring the parks and natural areas.

• Wander around the village of 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.
• Visit Crippen Regional Park. Open every day, 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.

Wander around the village of 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.

Visit Crippen Regional Park. Open every day, 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.

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. Bowen Island Sea Kayaking, on the ferry dock at Snug Cove, 604-947-9266 ([mailto:info@bowenislandkayaking.com info@bowenislandkayaking.com]),, rents kayaks by the hour or overnight. They also provide lessons and guided tours. $35/$45 (single/double, for three hours).

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. 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 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 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.

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

• Cocoa West Chocolatier, 581 Artisan Ln (15 minute walk from ferry, up the hill to Artisan Square, +1 604-947-2996. We-Su 10AM-5PM. Organic, artisanal chocolates. $10-30.
• 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.
• Bowen Island Roasting Co. Ltd., 105-996 Dorman Rd (Under The Ruddy Potato, beside the Beer & Wine Cellar, +1 604-562-0024. 7AM-5PM M-F, 9-5 Sat, 10-4 Sun. "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. $.
• Doc Morgans Marina Pub and Restaurant, 437 Bowen Island Trunk Rd, +1 604-947-0808. Short walk from the ferry dock. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. The pub is located upstairs above the restaurant and has a beautiful large deck overlooking the marina. Fish and chips, seafood specials and other pub fare.
• The Snug on Bowen Coffee House, 445 Bowen Island Trunk Rd (2 minute walk from ferry up the main road, +1 604-947-0402. 5AM-4PM. A busy local cafe offering breakfast and lunch, including fresh muffins, cookies, cakes, croissants, English-style breakfasts, eggs bennie, French toast, wraps, and sandwiches. There are some gluten-free and vegan options, as well. If you're trying to catch a ferry, make sure you indicate that so the staff are aware that you're in a hurry. $6-12.
• Tuscany, 451 Bowen Island Trunk Rd (2 minute walk from ferry up the main road, +1 604-947-0550. nightly from 5PM (summer), Tu-Su 5PM-8PM (winter). A bustling European style trattoria in a heritage style house with a lush garden patio. The wood fired oven cooks up some excellent pizzas and Mediterraean cuisine. Thoughtful wine list. Reservations recommended. $15-25.

Cocoa West Chocolatier, 581 Artisan Ln (15 minute walk from ferry, up the hill to Artisan Square, +1 604-947-2996. We-Su 10AM-5PM. Organic, artisanal chocolates. $10-30.

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.

Bowen Island Roasting Co. Ltd., 105-996 Dorman Rd (Under The Ruddy Potato, beside the Beer & Wine Cellar, +1 604-562-0024. 7AM-5PM M-F, 9-5 Sat, 10-4 Sun. "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. $.

Doc Morgans Marina Pub and Restaurant, 437 Bowen Island Trunk Rd, +1 604-947-0808. Short walk from the ferry dock. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. The pub is located upstairs above the restaurant and has a beautiful large deck overlooking the marina. Fish and chips, seafood specials and other pub fare.

The Snug on Bowen Coffee House, 445 Bowen Island Trunk Rd (2 minute walk from ferry up the main road, +1 604-947-0402. 5AM-4PM. A busy local cafe offering breakfast and lunch, including fresh muffins, cookies, cakes, croissants, English-style breakfasts, eggs bennie, French toast, wraps, and sandwiches. There are some gluten-free and vegan options, as well. If you're trying to catch a ferry, make sure you indicate that so the staff are aware that you're in a hurry. $6-12.

Tuscany, 451 Bowen Island Trunk Rd (2 minute walk from ferry up the main road, +1 604-947-0550. nightly from 5PM (summer), Tu-Su 5PM-8PM (winter). A bustling European style trattoria in a heritage style house with a lush garden patio. The wood fired oven cooks up some excellent pizzas and Mediterraean cuisine. Thoughtful wine list. Reservations recommended. $15-25.

Bowen Island is typically a day trip from Vancouver. Bus connections at the B.C. Ferries terminal in Horseshoe Bay will return you to West Vancouver, and Downtown Vancouver beyond. Last ferry leaves Snug Cove at 10:05PM. Granville Island Water Taxi also runs passenger-only trips back to Granville Island in Downtown Vancouver.