Bowen Island: Vancouver’s Secret 1 Day Getaway*

A Day Trip to Bowen Island is a wonderful alternative to the normal excursions out of Vancouver, British Columbia.

It is not just the island alone but the journey there and back that really make it a special activity. And for us on a beautiful spring day, it was the perfect day getaway that offered stunning mountain views, beautiful beaches, charming shops and a celebrated neighbourhood pub with a view overlooking Snug Cove.

Bowen Island is the perfect destination for a peaceful and scenic getaway.

How To Get There

We followed the Trans Canada Highway 1 North out of Vancouver to the Ferry Terminal at Horseshoe Bay.  The Ferry Terminal of Horseshoe Bay services Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast as well as Bowen Island.  So make sure to follow the direction signs to the right lanes.

The Bowen Island Ferry currently starts at 5:20 a.m. for early birds and the last ferry is at 10:30 p.m.  To see the current Full schedule, follow the link below:

Our Adventure Begins

Sidenote: This is our first day working on Our Blog… exciting.

While our intent was good, our planning apparently needed an upgrade. We only allowed ourselves just over an hour for what turned out to be an hour and half trip assuming no traffic hiccups … and of course there was 1 or 2.

The good news is we made it.. Just!  The Queen of Capilano Ferry squeezed us on for the 20 minute ride to Bowen Island.

The Queen of Capilano is a smaller Ferry but it holds a surprising amount of cars, trucks and motorcycles.  We were put onto one of the side Top Decks and our car rested on an angle in between the two levels.

Although we were not initially comfortable with this location, we eventually found a benefit.  When the Ferry docked, the two upper side lanes were in the first rush of vehicles disembarking from the Ferry!

TRIP NOTE: Make Sure you walk to the Top Deck to see the World Class View of the Mountains and the Salish Sea.

A Wee Dram of History

While you are enjoying the ride I want to share some Island background history with you.

The island was original used by the Squamish people as campsites for hunting and gathering trips.  The original name, Xwlíl’xhwm, was translated as ‘Fast Drumming Ground’.  It is thought that the name reflected the sound of the hooves that deer make when running. The island was well known to have an abundance of deer.  Another theory is that it reflects the rapid drumming sound of waves rushing between the northern channel near Finisterre Island.

The island was eventually named Bowen Island in honor of Rear Admiral James Bowen whose daring maneuvering took his ship, HMS Queen Charlotte, so close to the stern of the French flagship Montagne that the Montagne’s flags brushed Queen Charlotte’s riggings while it blasted the French ship.

This island was seen as a way to control the Pacific Northwest by three men:  Napoleon Bonaparte, Admiral Lord Nelson and explorer Jose Marie Narvaez.  The early settlers planted farms, orchards, logged timber and established a brickworks business from the rare blue clay found in Deep Bay.

In 1889 a salt water ‘pool’ was created in Deep Bay, between the causeway and Sandy Beach, by surrounding the area with large logs.

As early as 1880 and 1890 visitors from Vancouver set up tent camps at Snug Point. They leased the land for $10 per year.  Don’t you wish that could happen now?   Bowen Island in 1923-24 became a day trip or overnight luxury for a brief getaway. The cost for the round trip was $1.  Tourism peaked in 1937- 1946 where couples could take a Moonlight cruise or dance cruise.   The price has gone up since then but it is certainly worth the visit.

A Wee Dram of History

Approaching Snug Harbour

On the Road Again

Once the Ferry landed, it became quite apparent that Bowen Island community is easy to navigate through with the Yacht and Sailing Club to the left and the core of the town directly in front as we arrived. We chose to take our car on this trip as we wanted to travel all around the island but you actually don’t have to as there is a Community Shuttle around the island and the town area is very walkable. 

We had been to Bowen Island only once before to join friends for dinner before sailing around the local islands for the weekend. It was my first time sailing in the area and I hope it will not be my last as it was amazing.  

First impression – well we did not plan for snow – whoops.  Running shoes and snow were not compatible. The landscape is mostly dominated by forest and craggy rocky shores decorated with my favourite tree the arbutus. These stunning trees are a study of nature’s unique sculpturing ability as they twist and bend creating a forest of one of a kinds.  The beaches offer the time to ‘just be’ and relax while wandering the shoreline.

LIGHTHOUSE LANE PARK

North Coast of Bowen Island near Roger Curtis Beaches.  There is not a lot of parking here but there is some great scenery and pathways along the shore.  And of course there is a Lighthouse on the northern most point.

We found this to be the perfect picnic area and probably magnificent for sunsets although we were long gone by then.

Hunger soon kicked in so we headed back to town so we stopped along the way to check out the Bowen Cider House. I love cider and theirs was very tasty.  Escher, our server, gave us samples of each and even shared with us the history and plans for the cidery on video. Word to the wise make sure you hit the start button if you want to capture things on video. Sorry, Escher, we will be back for a redo. You were great.

Lunch at the busy Doc Morgan’s Pub with an Ocean View. What do you order at a pub by the ocean – fish & chips with something to wash it down?  Good choice! 

Tips Tricks & Whoops!

Itineraries