A Relaxing Getaway on Bowen Island

If you are looking for a quick, but relaxing getaway from Vancouver, let me introduce you to a hidden gem – Bowen Island.

Bowen Island is a charming, relaxed island in Howe Sound that is easily accessible by a 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, or about an hour if you factor in the drive or bus ride from downtown Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay.

It is a perfect daytrip – a scenic drive, a relaxing ferry ride, and a quiet island vibe. You have the option to hike, kayak, enjoy the beach, shop, or just enjoy a meal or coffee while enjoying the coastal views.

I’ve been to Bowen Island at least four times, but I must admit that I have never really taken advantage of its beautiful hiking trails. The times I had been there were either with seniors (who obviously couldn’t do a trek in the forest) or with friends who are more interested in shopping and dining.

Another reason (or excuse, hahaha!) is the fact that on all my visits, we did not take a car, so our exploration was limited to the areas close to the ferry dock, as I was with guests who preferred not to walk long distances. Technically, you can take your car onto the ferry, but due to limited parking spaces, it was just easier to either park at Horseshoe Bay and take the ferry as a foot passenger or take the bus from downtown if you don’t want to worry about parking at all.

The main destination at Bowen Island is the village of Snug Cove, which is right at the terminal and is very compact and walkable. It is also close to the beaches and some hiking trails.

But if you are into outdoor activities and in-depth nature adventure, I’d recommend taking your car or bike so you can go around the island and access Killarney Lake, Crippen Regional Park, hilly lookout points, and more hiking trails that are further inland, or the larger beaches on the other side of the island. You can also take the Bowen Island bus (there are three routes originating from Snug Cove) to get to these destinations, but you will be dependent on the bus schedule.

Most of my visits involved the usual haunts in Snug Cove. After disembarking from the ferry, we would head out to the Lagoon Causeway at the edge of Union Road for a beautiful view of the water, cross the bridge across Killarney Creek and walk around for a bit before coming back and then heading next to Sandy Beach via Cardena Drive. Unlike its name, the beach is more rocky than sandy. But since we are just there to enjoy the scenery, it was good enough. If you go there for some beach time, I recommend going to the island’s other beaches. This is where you will need your car as they are not walking distance from the village.

Next, we would walk along Snug Cove’s main artery, Bowen Island Trunk Road, and Dorman Road to check out the cluster of souvenir shops, cafés, and restaurants. Bowen Island has a plethora of artisanal shops, so if you are looking for unique souvenirs to take home, this is a good place to get them. They showcase artwork and crafts from local artists – paintings, handmade jewelry, pottery, and the like. They have shops that sell unique clothing, vintage items, and cute home goods and garden supplies.

For those up to more walking, we would take a short trail up a hill to Artisan Square where you can find more art galleries, boutiques, and a cholate shop (which is what normally entices people to do the extra walk).

Otherwise, we just stay in the village and sit down for a snack. When with family, we’d go to Snug Café for some sandwiches. Or when with kids, we go to the hotdog stand operated by High Tide Grill. When with friends, we’d go to Barcelona Tapas and Wine Bar for some croquettes, chorizos, and gambas with a glass of wine or sangria. In the summer, there is usually ice cream or gelato at one of the eateries there.

Then we go back to the ferry and back to Vancouver.

Bowen Island is such a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is absolutely worth it to go there for a day, or if you want to stay longer, there are cottages and suites available for overnight or weekend stays.