//
Island municipality in British Columbia, Canada
Photo: Shaundd, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bowen Island is a small island and a municipality 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 - additionally, private water taxis can be chartered but there are no regular/scheduled water taxi services available. 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.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
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.
Rents kayaks by the hour or overnight. They also provide lessons and guided tours.
Rents electric bikes and golf carts.
Organic, artisanal chocolates.
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.
The BowenCoffee Store
"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.
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 Cafe
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.
Tuscany Pizza
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 Mediterranean cuisine. Thoughtful wine list. Reservations recommended.
An waterfront cottage/duplex + suite with spectacular views that is close to a beach. Each unit has a full kitchen and the cottage has a seaside deck with gas BBQ. The cottage sleeps up to 5 guests and the suite sleeps up to 4 guests. Cottage: $145-165; Suite $115-135. Prices for double occupancy. $35 for additional adult and $25 for additional child.
Better than your traditional B&B, this is a Bed & Chocolate Suite for two located in Artisan Square above the organic chocolatier's shop Cocoa West. Complimentary espresso, but for meals, head to the nearby café.
Eight cottages, each sleeping 2, 4, or 5-7 people. All have a fully equipped kitchen, and most have wood-burning stoves. All but two have an ocean view. Add rolling beds to get to maximum capacity. Limited RV parking, enquire.
A 7-room bed and breakfast, converted from the dormitory of the Union Steamship Company. Built in 1941, renovated in the 1990s. A lavish breakfast is included.
This farm in the centre of the island offers two two-person guest rooms, plus beds for three more which can be pressed into service. Continental breakfast included. The cottage has rudimentary cooking facilities.
By boat
The most popular way to get to Bowen is on BC Ferries' service from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) in West Vancouver to Bowen Island (Snug Cove) on the island.
By public transit
Passengers can pay for fares using Compass Cards ($6 refundable deposit), Compass Tickets, or tap-to-pay using contactless credit cards (only American Express, Mastercard or Visa) or mobile wallets.
By taxi
By ride hailing
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Vancouver · International · YVR
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Bowen Island and Canada.
Travel tipsDiscover how to use AI to find cheap flights. Learn prompt strategies, smart fare engines, open-jaw routings, and error-fare booking techniques.
6 min read
Nature & adventureThe National Parks of Canada, and some of the National Historic Sites of Canada, are managed by Parks Canada, an agency of the Government of Canada.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsAlthough trains are not nearly as ubiquitous and convenient a mode of travel in Canada as in Europe or East Asia, they remain popular with some travelers because of the spacious design of the cars, the scenic routes,…
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureMany books have been written about hiking in the Canadian Rockies, particularly in Alberta and eastern British Columbia (the "Rocky Mountains" don't actually extend that far).
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.