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Bowen Island is a retreat for many Vancouverites and no wonder: for those seeking a more active holiday, it offers walking, hiking and cycling trails through breathtaking settings. For those wanting to relax, there are wonderful B&Bs. Many artists call Bowen home, their work displayed and sold in the galleries and craft markets found throughout the island. Thanks to many sheltered bays and outstanding scenery, the island is also an ideal destination for kayakers.
There are numerous hiking trails on Bowen Island. Two of the most well-known are: the 10-km (6.2 mi) Mt. Gardner Trail, which rewards hikers with a breathtaking view of the Sunshine Coast, Lower Mainland and Washington State; and the Killarney Lake Loop, which passes through awe-inspiring Red Cedar and Hemlock forest alongside the lake. Many visitors prefer to tour the island by bicycle and rentals are easily available. There is one 9-hole golf course open to the public.
The arts are alive and thriving on Bowen Island. Nearly 400 artists live and work here, inspired by the natural splendor of Bowen and the more leisurely pace of island life. Galleries can be found scattered throughout the island, with many artist home studios open to the public as well. Visitors can find everything from metal and wood sculptures to furniture, pottery and jewellery.
Theatre-on-the-Isle (known to locals as TOTI) is a non-profit society dedicated to community theatre on Bowen Island. TOTI promotes the arts generally and theatre arts in particular. There are also a number of live music performances given throughout the year, many of which are supported by the Bowen Island Music Association.
While Bowen Island is a relaxing retreat for visitors, it still bustles with activity, particularly at the Bowen Island Summer Market in Snug Cove. This noteworthy market offers a bounty of locally grown food and locally made goods that include pottery, jewellery, soap, garden ornaments, hats, bags, knit sweaters, stained glass, bird houses and Native art. The market is open from early July until early September.
Take time to visit the Gallery in Artisan Square, which promotes the work of local artisans and hosts temporary exhibits. As well, the Bowen Island Museum and Archives contains collections focusing on the history of the island, from its role as a meeting place for First Nations people, to its formal establishment under Terminal Steamships and the Union Steamships Company, to its development today. Also on site is Higgins Logger cottage, the fascinating original dwelling of a 1940s logger.
Bowen Island is a nature lovers paradise. The island is 40 percent forested, with 2,072 ha (5,120 ac) of Cedar, Hemlock, Douglas Fir and Arbutus. Grouse, mink, eagles, raves, deer and Blue Heron call the island home.
This is an island; beaches abound. The most popular are Sandy, Tunstall Bay and Bowen Bay beaches, which offer amenities such as toilets, garbage cans, parking and easy access. Bowen also offers many of the personal care services that its role as a retreat would suggest, including acupuncture, massage therapy and a full-service spa.
Bowen Island is surrounded by water, making it a popular paddling destination. The island is ideally situated at the mouth of Howe Sound, enabling kayakers to easily weave around the many smaller islands surrounding it. No matter the direction, there is spectacular, natural scenery and wildlife. Kayakers head out from Snug Cove (where the Horseshoe Bay ferries dock) to explore the islands east coast. The most thrilling views of jagged mountain peaks are found toward the islands north side. Paddle south to explore the virtually untouched coastline of Apodaca Beach. To the west of Bowen is the Pasley Island archipelago. Everywhere there is wildlife, particularly seals and eagles. Rentals, lessons and guided trips are available.
Divers head to Seymour, which is home to large schools of Greenlings, Shiner and striped Perch as well as sponges, limpets and Anemone. The island dive shop offers tours, lessons, boat and equipment rentals. A local sailing outfitter offers afternoon and multi-day boat cruises as well as lessons and private sailing charters.
Bowen Island is less than an hour drive to the North Shore Mountains three renowned ski areas: Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour. All boast spectacular views of Greater Vancouver, the Pacific Ocean and Vancouver Island; are blessed by abundant snowfalls; and offer numerous winter activities that include skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snow-tubing and cross-country skiing. The Whistler/Blackcomb ski area is under two hours away from Bowen Island along Highway 99. North America’s largest ski resort with over 3,306 ha (8,171 ac) of terrain and more than 200 marked runs, Whistler/Blackcomb is consistently ranked among the top winter resorts on the continent. Whistler will host many alpine, Nordic and sliding events in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
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