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 Visitors typically come to Bowen Island for a quiet, relaxing experience. Yet there's no shortage of things to do around this greenery-blessed haven at the entrance to Howe Sound. A 20-minute ferry ride from West Vancouver, Bowen Island pleases sporty types with varied mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, and golf options. Prefer to explore cultural offerings? Bowen Island has its share of artists and art galleries, live theatre and concerts. Local landmarks like the Bowen Island Museum, Davies Orchard, and Alderwood Farm bring the island's rustic spirit to life.Laidback dining and shopping round out the picture at Snug Cove, the heartbeat of this tight-knit community, with its ferry terminal and marinas. Land Activities on Bowen Island 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. ShoppingDiscerning 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 two spas on Bowen Island: Heartstone Spa, which provides environmentally friendly treatments, and Bowen Beauty Spa, which 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 1 5.3ha/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 Bowen Island Visitor Centre (432 Cardena Rd) near the ferry terminal in Snug Cove. It's open seven days a week in the summer, and Friday to Sunday in the off-season. Also, check out the Tourism Bowen website.
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