Getting to Bowen Island
Getting to Bowen Island Sea Kayaking and accessing British Columbia’s natural bays, beaches and islands is easy. The 20 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay provides great views of Howe Sound and the North Shore mountains. Bowen Island Sea Kayaking is located in Snug Cove on the dock to your right as you exit the ferry. We are perfectly situated for your Vancouver weekend getaway.
Arriving as a Foot Passenger
Arriving as a foot passenger is by far the easiest and most cost effective way to visit Bowen Island. Conveniently, the 257 express bus from Vancouver takes you to Horseshoe Bay. On arrival you can buy a foot passenger ticket at the ferry booth for the short ferry ride. Be aware that ticket sales cease around 15 minutes before each sailing.
Once on the island, there are plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants, galleries, and meandering forest paths within easy walking distance of the ferry dock. There is also a bus service on the island. For visitor information, accommodation, shops, restaurants, trails and activities Bowen Island Tourism is an excellent resource.
Travelling by Car
From Vancouver, cross the Lions Gate Bridge driving west, or take the Iron Workers Bridge and the upper levels highway, continuing on HWY 99 toward Whistler. Then take Exit 3 for Horseshoe Bay. Choose either the left lane for Horseshoe Bay Village to park and walk onto the ferry, or stay in the right-hand lane to reach the toll plaza and line up for the ferry.
From Whistler or the Nanaimo Ferry, continue east on HWY 99 to Exit 4 (Caulfeild Drive), circle back on the overpass in the reverse direction to return to Exit 3 for the toll plaza and car line up.
If you are driving onto the ferry, allow 20-30 minutes before departure for the line-up. Be careful to allow extra time on weekends and holidays.
Parking
Horseshoe Bay is about 25 minutes from downtown Vancouver, across the Lions Gate Bridge heading west toward Squamish and Whistler. During holidays and summer weekends the drive can take much longer, ferry lines can be overloaded and Horseshoe Bay parking lots fill up quickly. Please plan accordingly and leave plenty of travel time. Street parking in the Village is generally limited to 2 hours.
Parking on Bowen Island in Snug Cove is limited. There are two lots on the left side of the main street as you drive off the ferry and street parking nearby. Parking is restricted at the marina, where the kayak shop is situated.
If you bring your bike on the ferry there are bike racks at the Snug Cove ferry terminal where you can lock up while exploring the village or out on a kayaking excursion. Alternatively we can look after your bike for you!
Why not plan your visit to Bowen Island? It is one of Vancouver’s very best day trips, a Must See Destination.
