Sightseeing
Small secluded beach and path a short walk from the house. Turn right out of our driveway and head down the hill. When you have the chance to turn left at the mailboxes, just continue down the hill. At the bottom there is small trailhead (with a beach access sign) that leads to the beach. Total walk time from house to water is about 10 minutes. AKA "Bluewater Beach".
7 locals recommend
Crayola Beach
Small secluded beach and path a short walk from the house. Turn right out of our driveway and head down the hill. When you have the chance to turn left at the mailboxes, just continue down the hill. At the bottom there is small trailhead (with a beach access sign) that leads to the beach. Total walk time from house to water is about 10 minutes. AKA "Bluewater Beach".
Bowen’s biggest hike to the island summit with 3 different entry points, one being behind our house. Takes 1/2 day. There are also some smaller hikes within the area such as the “Handloggers Trail” and the “Stone Circle/ lookout point” (see house manual for directions.)
6 locals recommend
Mount Gardner Trail Head
1301 Mt Gardner RdBowen’s biggest hike to the island summit with 3 different entry points, one being behind our house. Takes 1/2 day. There are also some smaller hikes within the area such as the “Handloggers Trail” and the “Stone Circle/ lookout point” (see house manual for directions.)
Arguably the most beautiful scenery on Bowen, including a beach. You can drive right to the beach (go to bottom of Roger Curtis lane) but we love to park at the end of Collingwood lane and walk there via a raised ocean trail (10 minutes.) Once at the Beach, you can continue waking south to the "Lighthouse" which is also stunning (10 minutes.)
29 locals recommend
Cape Roger Curtis Lighthouse
1652 Whitesails DrArguably the most beautiful scenery on Bowen, including a beach. You can drive right to the beach (go to bottom of Roger Curtis lane) but we love to park at the end of Collingwood lane and walk there via a raised ocean trail (10 minutes.) Once at the Beach, you can continue waking south to the "Lighthouse" which is also stunning (10 minutes.)
Beautiful mixed terrain walk around lake through beautiful forests and fern gullies, including beaver dams. Also great for jogging. Takes about 40 minutes to walk. We suggest parking/entering at 1151 Mt Gardner Rd, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 but the trails connect all the way to the cove if you want to start from there.
8 locals recommend
Crippen Regional Park
430 Bowen Island Trunk RdBeautiful mixed terrain walk around lake through beautiful forests and fern gullies, including beaver dams. Also great for jogging. Takes about 40 minutes to walk. We suggest parking/entering at 1151 Mt Gardner Rd, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G2 but the trails connect all the way to the cove if you want to start from there.
Alder Cove
Secluded beach by the Golf course that is unusually Sandy, which the kids enjoy
Food scene
A more elevated breakfast, lunch and pastry cafe in Artisan Village (the upper village) surrounded by lots of cute little shops and views of Howe Sound. Ample seating.
41 locals recommend
Artisan Eats Café & Fine Foods
539 Artisan LnA more elevated breakfast, lunch and pastry cafe in Artisan Village (the upper village) surrounded by lots of cute little shops and views of Howe Sound. Ample seating.
Healthy, fusion-style tacos and Artisan Ice Cream. Also has a gift shop with a hip assortment of local creations.
20 locals recommend
Branch 01
400 Bowen Island Trunk RdHealthy, fusion-style tacos and Artisan Ice Cream. Also has a gift shop with a hip assortment of local creations.
Best barista on Bowen and with wholesome, freshly made food including Vegan options. Outdoor seating on the pier with take-out options. Communal toys for little kids to play with.
24 locals recommend
tell your friends cafe
400 Bowen Island Trunk RdBest barista on Bowen and with wholesome, freshly made food including Vegan options. Outdoor seating on the pier with take-out options. Communal toys for little kids to play with.
Artisanal spirts and expertly-blended cocktails in a beautifully designed space. Spirits are organic and produced on Bowen Island.
12 locals recommend
Copper Spirit Distillery
441 Bowen Island Trunk RdArtisanal spirts and expertly-blended cocktails in a beautifully designed space. Spirits are organic and produced on Bowen Island.
local spot with outdoor seating for breakfast and lunch. Oldest cafe establishment on Bowen. Good while waiting in the ferry line-up, although make sure to tell the cashier so they can get the order out in-time.
32 locals recommend
Snug Cafe The
445 Bowen Island Trunk Rdlocal spot with outdoor seating for breakfast and lunch. Oldest cafe establishment on Bowen. Good while waiting in the ferry line-up, although make sure to tell the cashier so they can get the order out in-time.
Amazing, locally made organic artisan hot chocolate and chocolates a la carte.
29 locals recommend
Cocoa West Chocolatier
581 Artisan LnAmazing, locally made organic artisan hot chocolate and chocolates a la carte.
Classic fish & chips and pub food. Lots of indoor seating and sunny outdoor patio city views. Family friendly with kids menu and crayons.
37 locals recommend
Doc Morgan's Marina Pub & Restaurant
439 Bowen Island Trunk RdClassic fish & chips and pub food. Lots of indoor seating and sunny outdoor patio city views. Family friendly with kids menu and crayons.
Great casual golf course, book through their website or App & check for Food - Specials and drinks on the weekend. Nice outdoor seating
28 locals recommend
Bowen Island Golf Club
810 Beach DrGreat casual golf course, book through their website or App & check for Food - Specials and drinks on the weekend. Nice outdoor seating
Extremely tiny candy shop selling huge assortment of old-fashioned candies. Limited hours.
CAndy in the Cove
449 Bowen Island Trunk RdExtremely tiny candy shop selling huge assortment of old-fashioned candies. Limited hours.
Bowen Sushi To Go
994 Dorman RdMeadowbrook Market
Riley's Cidery
Groceries / Supplies
One stop shop grocery store - good organic selection, meats, cafe, produce etc.
33 locals recommend
The Ruddy Potato
996 Dorman RdOne stop shop grocery store - good organic selection, meats, cafe, produce etc.
Bowen's larger grocery store with a more general assortment. Less quaint and no frills but friendly staff. Open for longer hours (usually 'till 8pm.)
27 locals recommend
Snug Cove General Store
471 Bowen Island Trunk RdBowen's larger grocery store with a more general assortment. Less quaint and no frills but friendly staff. Open for longer hours (usually 'till 8pm.)
Comprehensive beer and wine shop open until 10 pm. They are knowledgeable about their wines and bring in a nice selection
14 locals recommend
Bowen Beer & Wine Cellar
996 Dorman RdComprehensive beer and wine shop open until 10 pm. They are knowledgeable about their wines and bring in a nice selection
Sweet little shop & pharmacy with decent assortment of medicine, personal care supplies, snacks, toys and gift items
12 locals recommend
Cates Pharmacy
495 Bowen Island Trunk RdSweet little shop & pharmacy with decent assortment of medicine, personal care supplies, snacks, toys and gift items
Shopping/ Gifts
Bowen's Toy shop, with a small assortment of books and souvenirs. Great little shop, high quality assortment of toys that kids will love.
9 locals recommend
Phoenix Books
992 Dorman RdBowen's Toy shop, with a small assortment of books and souvenirs. Great little shop, high quality assortment of toys that kids will love.
Sangre de Fruta
563 Artisan LnHigh-end Wholistic Apothecary, made right on Bowen
Island's volunteer thrift store. Lots of great finds for good prices check the hours here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Knick-Knack-Nook-Re-Use-It-Store-Society/1582521828725698
7 locals recommend
Knick Knack Nook Re-Use-It Store Society
1063 Mt Gardner RdIsland's volunteer thrift store. Lots of great finds for good prices check the hours here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Knick-Knack-Nook-Re-Use-It-Store-Society/1582521828725698
Wren Boutique
589 Artisan LnThe Watering Can Supply
589 Artisan LnTraveler advice
Getting around
Gas station ⛽️
There is one gas station on Bowen with limited hours, so best to top up when you have the chance: 9-5 Mon-Fri, 10-3 Sat, Closed Sunday and Holidays. 1062 Mt Gardner Rd.
The next closest station in the Chevron in West Van, 7 km from Horseshoe Bay Terminal. Exit 7 heading towards Vancouver.
Getting around
Ferry Etiquette and Tips
https://bowenisland.civicweb.net/document/67211