One of our favourite day trips is Bowen Island, a short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. To get to Horseshoe Bay we take the #257 Horseshoe Bay Express bus from downtown so that we don’t need to worry about scarce and expensive parking when we arrive.

We like going to Bowen at any time of year, but it’s especially fun in summer when we can enjoy the hike to the Killarney Lake picnic area, go to the beach, or watch the dogs play in the water by the marina at Snug Cove. My kids like to play at the Bowen Island Community School playground, too. You can get there by walking or driving up the hill from Snug Cove, or by a pleasant hike through the woods (our method of choice).

After playing at the school, you can hike a little further up Grafton Road or take the footpath (very steep and narrow and a little treacherous!) up to picturesque and charming Artisan Square for a meal and a peek in the shops and galleries there. We had a yummy lunch at Artisan Eats, a café and bakery with a chef/owner originally from France.

Take a look at some photos from our recent trip. We’ll be going again before too long!

Leaving Horseshoe Bay, West Vancouver

Kids on the ferry

Snug Cove, Bowen Island

Bowen Island Public Library, Snug Cove

“Candy in the Cove” candy shop

A kid in a candy store

Hitting the trails

Looking out over Deep Bay

At Artisan Eats in Artisan Square

The view from Artisan Eats

Coming back to Horseshoe Bay