Weekend Getaway to Bowen Island
If you’re looking for a local adventure that gets you out of the city but doesn’t require hours to get to, then a weekend in Bowen Island might just be the ticket. It’s also great to visit year-round!
Bowen Island is a small island in the Howe Sound, approximately an hour from downtown Vancouver. Accessible only by ferry (or your own watercraft), visiting this little slice of heaven can turn any weekend into a peaceful escape. Home to only about 4000 people with an area of 50 square kilometers, it’s a secret getaway only 6 kilometers west of mainland British Columbia. In fact, it’s such a small place that the local kids have to take the ferry everyday to go to school in nearby West Vancouver!
In this post, I’ll talk about:
- How to get to Bowen Island
- What there is to do on Bowen Island
- Where there is to stay on Bowen Island
How to get to Bowen Island
Bowen Island is serviced by BC Ferries, leaving from Horseshoe Bay and arriving in Snug Cove. This is one of the only ferry routes that you can’t book in advance, so you just need to get there early, especially on a weekend in the summer. Fortunately, since the sailings are every hour, if you don’t get on the first one you’ll get on the next. A good rule of thumb for ferries in BC is to always bring a book or something to do while you wait, and just enjoy the slow pace! You only pay for the ferry in one direction – to the island. There are approximately 16 sailings a day, approximately every hour, and you can either park your car in Horseshoe Bay and go for the day, or bring your car on the ferry (this costs more). There are also a few buses that go to Horseshoe Bay terminal if you are carless and traveling from downtown Vancouver. In particular, the 250 and 257 buses service this area. A ticket to walk on is approximately $13, and with a car, almost $47.
What there is to do on Bowen Island
One of the highlights of Bowen Island is, well, the fact that you get to take a ferry there! It’s a really quick trip, under 20 minutes, but it’s a beautiful one, with views of the North Shore Mountains and the Howe Sound.
Once you arrive in the cute snug cove, there are a few great options for either a day or weekend adventure:
- Rent a kayak – you can go out on your own in snug cove, or sign up for a half or full day tour! If you have your own inflatable kayak or other gear, and a car, I recommend driving over to the quieter side of the island and putting it at Tunstall Bay.
- Grab a brew and a bite – the Bowen Island Pub offers a bit of both in a large space where locals come to gather. Walking around the main downtown area of Snug Cove offers a chance for some window shopping as well!
- Hike Mt. Gardner – this moderate 10k / 6.2 mile hike offers nearly 360 degree views from the top of the island, helping frame your perspective. Grab some bread, cheese, and other snacks in town before the hike and enjoy them at the top on a sunny day!
From top left clockwise: kayaking in Tunstall Bay; hiking Mt. Gardner; starfish seen while kayaking; classic pub food in Snug Cove.
Where to stay on Bowen Island
Enjoy the quiet – when we visited, we rented an AirBnB in the forest and just enjoyed soaking in the hot tub, reading, and enjoying the overall quiet – especially if you go in the off season (anytime but summer).
If you’re looking for somewhere you don’t have to drive to, a few great options come to mind:
Rainforest Retreat: Enjoy a full kitchen for cooking with friends or family. It’s tucked into the woods yet is still close to all the highlights of downtown Snug Cove.
Artisan Suites on Bowen: More of a traditional hotel experience on the island, this spot also includes a restaurant on site – perfect if you are planning to stay in on a cozy rainy weekend and enjoy some RnR.
Hummingbird Hut: More of an AirBnB style, enjoy views of Howe Sound from your patio or the enormous soaking tub!
You can’t go wrong on Bowen Island if you are looking for a day or weekend getaway, either as a local or a visitor, so check out this little slice of heaven soon!
