Bowen Island

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Bowen Island [1] 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.

[edit] Get in

Most people will arrive at Bowen Island by boat. BC Ferries runs a ferry from Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver's North Shore to Snug Cove on the island. The ferry takes 20 minutes and generally runs hourly (except early afternoon). There are 15-16 trips a day with the first ferry leaving Horseshoe Bay at 6:05 am. Fare is $8 in the summer (adult foot passenger) and $7.75 at other times, bicycles are $1.50 and a car is $25.

[edit] Get around

There is a local bus service that will take you around to most parts of the island, however it runs infrequently. 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. [2]

[edit][add listing] See

  • 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.

[edit][add listing] Do

The primary attraction of Bowen Island to Vancouverites has been to get away from everything and relax. If you want to "do" something however, 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 (info@bowenislandkayaking.com), [3], 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.

[edit][add listing] Buy

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.

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Doc Morgans Inn Restaurant, short walk from the ferry dock, 604-947-0808, [4]. Open M-Th 11AM - 9AM, Fri 11AM - 10PM, Sat 10AM - 10PM, Su 10AM - 9PM (opens earlier on weekends during the summer). Serves a mix of pub food and seafood with a view of the beach and the marina.
  • The Galley Bistro, 539 Artisan Lane, 604-947-0061, [5]. Open every day, 11AM - 10PM. This restaurant has a varied menu with a small cinema upstairs above the restaurant. Mains $16-$32, appetizers $7-$14.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Doc Morgans Inn Pub, short walk from the ferry dock. Open Sun - Thurs 11AM - 12AM, Fri - Sat 11AM - 1AM. The pub is located upstairs above the restaurant and has a large deck overlooking the marina.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are no hotels or campgrounds on Bowen Island so the accommodation consists mostly of bed and breakfasts scattered across the island.

  • Doc Morgans Inn, short walk from the ferry dock, 604-947-0707. Accommodation consists of four cottages/suites and one float house in the marina. All spots offer a view of the harbour and have kitchenettes. $130 - $250 (two night minimum stay between May 1 - Oct 15).
  • Snuggler's Cottage, Snug Cove, 604-947-2055, snugglers@bowenisland.com, [7]. Close to the village, the park, and "downtown" Bowen amenities. Self-contained with full kitchenette, cheery living room and private sun-deck. Sleeps up to 6 adults.
  • Twiggleberries Bed & Breakfast & Spa, 711 Cates Hill Rd, 604-947-2877, chilvers@twiggleberries.com, [8]. Four guest rooms are available. Guests can use the hot tub or if they want a bit more pampering visit the spa.
  • The Studio at Cove House, 426 Union Road, 604-723-6406, [9], [10]. A luxury self-contained Bed and Breakfast suite on the waterfront in Deep Bay, only a 150-yard walk from the ferry. Be pampered but independent. Nightly accommodation, romance packages, and writer's retreats.
  • Shallon at Eaglecliff, 1515 Eaglecliff Road, 604-833-0025 [11], [12]. A beautiful, newly renovated vacation home on 1.5 private acres with a breathtaking view. 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8.
  • Lazy Bowen Hideaway, 1475 Cleator Road, 702-281-3529 [13], [14] . An Inviting waterfront cottage with spectacular views. Spacious living area, 2 bedrooms, sleeps up to 4.

[edit] Get out

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 10:05 PM.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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