Snug Cove

Step Off the Ferry Into Snug Cove

Snug Cove is the first thing most visitors see of Bowen Island. It’s the small harbour village that wraps around the BC Ferries terminal on the island’s east side, directly across Howe Sound from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. Because the crossing is short and the village sits right at the dock, Snug Cove works well as a half-day outing or as the starting point for a longer visit to the rest of Bowen Island.

Unlike the more spread-out corners of the island, Snug Cove is compact enough to explore entirely on foot. Shops, cafes, a marina, a public library, and the trailheads for Crippen Regional Park are all within a short walk of where the ferry docks, so a car is optional for a day trip.

A Village Shaped by the Steamship Era

Snug Cove’s identity as a resort destination goes back more than a century. In the early 1900s, Captain John Cates began building a hotel and cottages nearby, laying the groundwork for Bowen Island’s tourism industry. In 1920, the Union Steamship Company purchased the resort and expanded it dramatically, adding a saltwater pool, tennis courts, a dance pavilion, and tearooms.

At the height of the steamship era, tens of thousands of day-trippers arrived each season aboard vessels like the Lady Alexandra for the resort’s famous Saturday night dance cruises. The heritage store building from that period still stands in Snug Cove today and now houses the Bowen Island Public Library, a reminder of how central the cove once was to weekend life in Vancouver.

Marinas and the Waterfront

Snug Cove is home to Bowen Island’s main marinas, including the Union Steamship Company Marina and the Bowen Island Marina, both tucked behind a boardwalk lined with heritage buildings and gardens. Boaters exploring Howe Sound often stop here for moorage, and the docks are a pleasant place for visitors to wander even without a boat of their own, watching the ferry traffic and pleasure craft come and go.

Because moorage rates and availability change seasonally, check current rates and slip availability directly with the marina before planning a boating visit.

Shops and Cafes in the Village

Bowen Island Trunk Road, right by the ferry dock, is lined with small independent businesses. The Snug Cove General Store covers everyday essentials for day-trippers and residents alike, while a handful of cafes and bakeries cluster around the dock for coffee before or after a sailing. Tell Your Friends Cafe is a popular stop for coffee and pastries just steps from the terminal, and several other cafes and restaurants sit along the pier and boardwalk with water views over the cove.

Because Bowen Island has no chain restaurants or fast food outlets, the food scene here leans toward small, independently run cafes, bakeries, and waterfront restaurants. Hours vary by season and by business, so it’s worth checking ahead if you have a specific spot in mind.

Dining by the Water

Several restaurants around the marina look directly out over Snug Cove’s boat traffic, making them popular spots for a relaxed lunch or dinner after a walk through Crippen Regional Park. Brunch on Bowen is one of the casual options near the pier for a mid-morning bite before catching a return sailing.

Walking Trails and Crippen Regional Park

Crippen Regional Park spreads out on both sides of Snug Cove and is the easiest way to get into forest and along the water without a car. Trails follow Killarney Creek and Terminal Creek through the trees, and a longer loop leads to Killarney Lake a short walk from the village. Closer to the water, a path connects Snug Cove to Sandy Beach, one of the most accessible swimming spots on the island.

For a longer day on Bowen Island beyond Snug Cove, see our guide to Sandy Beach and the broader things to do on Bowen Island.

Getting to Snug Cove

BC Ferries operates the crossing between Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver and Snug Cove, with a crossing time of about 20 minutes. The route does not take reservations, so both foot passengers and drivers are boarded on a first-arrived basis. Many visitors choose to leave the car at Horseshoe Bay and travel as a foot passenger, since most of what Snug Cove and Crippen Regional Park have to offer is within easy walking distance of the dock.

For current sailing times and fares, check the official BC Ferries Snug Cove terminal page before you go.

Photo Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions