getting here
Arriving by ferry
To get to Bowen Island, you need to take a short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. The ferry, operated by BC Ferries, provides frequent service (every 1-2 hours) between Horseshoe Bay and Bowen Island's Snug Cove. The ferry ride is approximately 20 minutes long and offers scenic views of Howe Sound and the North Shore mountains.
Round trip fares are purchased in Horseshoe Bay. No one will ask you for a ticket when leaving the island.
It’s a good idea to plan to arrive at the ticket booth 30-60 minutes ahead of the ferry you hope to catch. Allow more time during rush hour and during the summer. There is a 10-minute cut off for walk on passengers, and so plan to arrive at least 20 minutes in advance of the sailing you hope to catch as a walk-on.
Visit this local website for the schedule and live information about where the ferry is: https://bowenferry.ca
Arriving by boat
If you’re arriving by boat, there is a public dock in Snug Cove. Check in with the Union Steamship Marina at (604) 947-0707 or VHF 66A as you enter Snug Cove.
Leaving the island
If you brought a car, figuring out how to line up for the ferry in Snug Cove can be tricky. Some pointers:
It’s a good idea to line up at least 30 minutes before the sailing you wish to catch, and every earlier in the summer months (when there will be chaos and long lines).
The most important rule is to not park on the yellow cross hatches on the road.
Foot passengers board first, then motorcycles, then vehicles.
If you are in the zipper lane above Village Square (near the school), the zipper merges near the bottom of the hill—you’ll see. Be patient. If you were not parked past the school, you will very likely all make it on the ferry. And if not, you will be parked close enough to the cove that you can grab a coffee at Tell Your Friends Cafe or the Snug Cafe and watch the seagulls and sea lions while you wait.