To reach Bowen Island from Vancouver, get to the BC Ferries terminal at Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver and take the ferry to Snug Cove. The crossing takes about 20 minutes, and the route runs on a first come, first served basis with no reservations.
Getting to Horseshoe Bay
From downtown Vancouver the drive west on Highway 1 takes roughly 30 minutes. By bus, route 250 runs from downtown and takes about 75 minutes. A weekday morning express, route 257, is faster at about 45 minutes. Horseshoe Bay also connects to routes 250, 257 and 262. Check the TransLink trip planner for the times that apply on your travel day.
Parking at Horseshoe Bay is tight and fills early on summer weekends. For that reason many people go as foot passengers and leave the car at home, since Bowen is small and walkable.
The crossing to Snug Cove
BC Ferries runs this as Route 8, a distance of about 3 nautical miles across Queen Charlotte Channel. There are roughly 15 or 16 round trips a day, and the number changes with the season, so check the BC Ferries sailing schedule for your date.
Tickets and arrival times
Because there are no reservations, you pay at the terminal. Ticket sales close about 10 minutes before the scheduled sailing. Walk on passengers should arrive at least that early. On sunny weekends and busy summer days, a full boat can mean waiting for the next sailing, so build in some slack.
Cab rides to the terminal
A taxi to Horseshoe Bay suits a group with luggage, or an early or late sailing when buses are thin. The taxi fare estimator gives a rough fare, and the Vancouver taxi page covers pickups in the city.
- Open the BC Ferries schedule and note the sailing before you set out.
- Check for service notices, since sailings are sometimes cancelled.