A Day Trip to Bowen Island is a wonderful alternative to the normal activities out of Vancouver, British Columbia. It is not just the island alone but the journey there and back that really make it a special activity. And for us on a beautiful spring day, it was the perfect day getaway that offered stunning mountain views, beautiful beaches, charming shops and undoubtedly a neighbourhood pub on the corner. Bowen Island is the perfect destination for a peaceful and scenic getaway.
Welcome To our post on Bowen Island.
Phase One: How to get to Bowen Island
To get to Bowen Island, we followed Highway 1 out of Vancouver to the Ferry Terminal at Horseshoe Bay. The Bowen Island Ferry currently starts at 5:20 a.m. for early birds and the last ferry is at 10:30 p.m. To see the current Full schedule , follow the link below:
https://www.bcferries.com/routes-fares/schedules/seasonal/BOW-HSB
Sidenote: This is our first day doing our blog… exciting.
Gathering our cameras, phones and a notepad we headed off to catch the 10:15 ferry.
While our intent was good, our planning apparently needs to be upgraded. We only allowed ourselves just over an hour for what turned out to be an hour and half trip assuming no traffic hiccups … and of course there was 1 or 2. The good news is we made it.. Just! The Queen of Capilano Ferry squeezed us on for the 20 minute ride to Bowen Island.
The Ferry Ride:
The Queen of Coquitlam is a smaller Ferry but it holds a surprising amount of cars, trucks and motorcycles. We were put onto one of the side Top Decks and rested on an angle. Although we were not initially comfortable with this location, we eventually found a benefit. When the Ferry docked, the two upper side lanes were in the first rush of vehicles disembarking from the Ferry!
While you are enjoying the ride I want to share some Island background with you.
A Brief History of Bowen Island
The Squamish Nation referred to the island ‘Fast Drumming Ground’. It is thought that the name reflected the sound of the hooves that deer make when running. The island had an abundance of deer.
The island was later named Bowen Island in honor of Rear Admiral James Bowen whose daring maneuvering took his ship, HMS Queen Charlotte, so close to the stern of the French flagship Montagne that the Montagne’s flags brushed Queen Charlotte’s riggings while it blasted the French ship.
This island was seen as a way to control the Pacific Northwest by three men: Napoleon Bonaparte, Admiral Lord Nelson and explorer Jose Marie Narvaez.
The early settlers planted farms, orchards, logged timber and established a brickworks business from the rare blue clay found in Deep Bay.
In 1889 a salt water ‘pool’ was created in Deep Bay, between the causeway and Sandy Beach, by surrounding the area with large logs.
As early as 1880 and 1890 visitors from Vancouver set up tent camps at Snug Point. They leased the land for $10 per year. Don’t you wish that could happen now? Bowen Island in 1923-24 became a day trip or overnight luxury for a brief getaway. The cost for the round trip was $1. Tourism peaked in 1937- 1946 where couples could take a Moonlight cruise or dance cruise. The price has gone up since then but it is certainly worth the visit.
We’re approaching Snug Harbour so we’ll see you later!