To get from Vancouver to Bowen Island, take the BC Ferries sailing from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Snug Cove on the island. The ferry carries foot passengers and vehicles, so you can walk on or bring a car.
Which terminal to use
Horseshoe Bay is the terminal for Bowen Island. Tsawwassen serves different routes, including Swartz Bay near Victoria, the Southern Gulf Islands and Duke Point near Nanaimo, so it is the wrong place for this trip. Plan your drive or ride to Horseshoe Bay and give yourself a margin for traffic on the way.
Planning the sailing
Open the BC Ferries schedule for the Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island route and pick a sailing that fits your day. Departure times differ between weekdays, weekends and seasons, and they are the one detail worth checking on the day you travel. The same site shows current conditions and any delays, and the BC Ferries app does the same on your phone.
Rules about reservations, check in cut offs and vehicle space differ by route, so read the Bowen Island route page before relying on a booking. If you are bringing a car, check how much space is available on the sailing you want. Foot passengers have an easier time, since walk on travel needs less planning.
Arriving at Snug Cove
The ferry docks at Snug Cove, the ferry landing on the island. Check a map of the island before you go so you know how far your destination is from the terminal. If it is far is farther, check what local transport is running that day, or ask your accommodation about pickups.
Anyone heading to the terminal from elsewhere in Metro Vancouver can book a ride. The taxi fare estimator gives a rough idea of the cost, and Vancouver taxi covers pickups in the city. Tell the driver you are going to the Horseshoe Bay terminal so you are dropped at the right entrance.
If the plan goes sideways
Sailings can be delayed by weather or traffic, and a missed boat means waiting for the next one. Leave earlier than you think you need to, and keep the schedule open on your phone.