Beaches

Wherever you live on Bowen, there is a beach not too far away from you. In every waterfront neighbourhood there is one access right-of-way to the beach open to the public. Most popular with island visitors are Sandy, Tunstall Bay and Bowen Bay beaches. These have more amenities – toilets, garbage cans, some limited parking and close, easy walking/stroller access which makes them popular with many Bowen Islanders too. Sandy Beach is wheelchair accessible. If you are a multi-generation family going with toddlers, picnic and beach toys, one of these beaches will probably be your first choice.
Dotted around the island, are the 6 Neighbourhood beaches. Expect to see primarily local neighbourhood families here but you are welcome too. Access is by steps and/or steep paths. There are no toilets or garbage cans or provision for extra parking. For all these reasons, these beaches are attractive for the more mobile family and for shorter visits. In each of the following neighbourhoods, the most popular beach, with a trail that follows the right-of-way to high water mark is marked open to the public with a green and white sign. They are as follows:

• Deep Bay Pebbly Beach
• Millers Miller’s Landing
• Eagle Cliff Path starts beside the Information Kiosk
• Hood Point Cates Bay, across the road from the private Hood Point Park
• Blue Water Crayola trail at the end of Windjammer road
• Bowen Bay The Main beach is also the Neighbourhood beach.
• Tunstall The Main beach is also the Neighbourhood beach.
• Queen Charlotte Heights September Morn. At the end of Hummingbird Lane

If and when the Cowan Point Development goes ahead, Seymour Bay will become a fourth Main Beach, part of a public park, with an easy access trail. At present, it is a rough scramble from the end of the road down to the beach with no official right-of-way below the road.

Another public access you might want to visit is the Mt. Gardner dock. As parking there is virtually non-existent at this time, recommended access is by boat or kayak.

The Chamber of Commerce map of Bowen in the Bowen Island Guide lists the beaches open to the public.

Enjoy the beaches of Bowen this summer. Don’t forget you can take the bus to get there. Leave a light foot print by packing out what you brought in – clothes, toys and garbage and leave the family dog at home. Stay popular with the neighbouring owners by following on the designated rights-of-way to the beaches and respecting private property. See you on the beach!.