Outdoor Activities
For mountain biking or hiking, hilly Bowen Island abounds with both maintained and backwoods trails, as well as narrow, winding roads. Try a heart-pounding ascent of Mount Gardner, the island's tallest peak, or pause for picnicking and bird-watching while circling Killarney Lake amid lush cedar and hemlock trees.
Bike rentals are available from many Vancouver stores (not on Bowen Island), and bikes can be brought over on BC Ferries or the water taxis from Granville Island and Coal Harbour in Vancouver.
Looking to relax with a round of golf? The Bowen Island Golf Club offers nine holes with a par-35, 3,075-yard layout, plus lessons and boutique tournaments.
Water Activities
Rent a kayak in Snug Cove and paddle around the calm waters of Bowen Island on a solo expedition or guided tour. Tunstall Bay, on the west side of the island, offers a great vantage point for viewing a pink-and-orange sunset. Adventurous kayakers can head over to nearby Keats Island, Gambier Island, or the Pasley Island archipelago. Watch for eagles, herons and deer.
Go salmon-fishing out of one of the island's four marinas. Or try diving in calm areas like Smuggler's Cove and Seymour Bay, the latter noted for abundant marine life such as anemones and striped perch.
Tunstall Bay and Bowen Bay are popular swimming beaches for families, offering washrooms, parking, and garbage disposal.
Arts and Culture
Artisan Square, just above Snug Cove, showcases many of Bowen Island's finest artists. Admire the local paintings and sculptures displayed at Arts Pacific Gallery and the Gallery at Artisan Square, or browse through the gilded creations at Gilt or the jewelry of Christie Grace.
Check out the Write On! Bowen Festival (July), featuring literary workshops and acclaimed authors like Spider Robinson and Linda L. Richards. Attend live theatre performances staged by Theatre-on-the-Isle (TOTI) and other local companies. The Christmas Craft Fair (December) sells seasonal gifts and knick-knacks by Bowen Island artisans. Frequent concerts, ranging from rock and folk to classical and jazz, spice up life on Bowen Island throughout the year.
Learn more about Bowen Island's culture and history by visiting the Bowen Island Museum and the neighbouring Bertie Higgins Logger's Cottage.
Shopping
Discerning consumers have choices on Bowen Island. In Snug Cove, buy handmade soaps at Naked Soapworks, or locally made clothes and fashion-forward accessories at Out of the Blue. Yoga classes, deli delicacies, and organic chocolate are among the other choice offerings at Artisan Square. There are three spas on Bowen Island: Still Waters Massage offers certified wholistic treatments individually customized to align body and mind; Heartstone Spa provides environmentally friendly treatments; and Bowen Beauty Spa emphasizes European-style pampering.
From July to September, the Bowen Island Summer Market in Snug Cove offers a cornucopia of locally produced goods, including pottery, jewelry, hand-knitted sweaters, and First Nations artwork.
Bowen Island often hosts retreats for artists and companies at its B&Bs and venues like the 15ha/38ac Xenia Centre, which promotes meditation and holistic methodologies. Dog lovers can leave their canine companions at the Bowen Island Dog Ranch, which has off-leash boarding in a beautiful rural setting.
For more information about things to do on Bowen Island, stop in at the seasonal Bowen Island Visitor Centre (432 Cardena Rd) near the ferry terminal in Snug Cove.
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