The Bowen Island Ferry leaves from Snug Cove and goes to Horseshoe Bay. Here’s some quick advice on making your ferry. See the Reverse Schedule Here
Current Schedule
Bowen Island (Snug Cove) to Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) Accurate between May 15, 2025 – March 31, 2026. Cutoff is 5min beforehand.
- 5:15am
- 6:15am
- 7:30am
- 8:45am
- 10:00am
- 11:15am
- 12:35pm
- 1:55pm
- 3:15pm
- 4:40pm *Except Wednesdays, Dangerous Cargo
- 6:00pm
- 7:15pm
- 8:25pm *Except Saturdays, Crew training. Vehicle remains in Snug Cove, but you can not board until 9:10pm
- 9:30pm
- 10:30pm
- 11:30pm
Exceptions to the Schedule Leaving Snug Cove
The schedule is normally consistent, unless the ferry is late; but there are two sailings every week that are canceled.
Every Saturday there is NO 8:25pm sailing back from Snug Cove to Horseshoe bay. So if you’re on island for dinner on Saturdays, there is a 6:00pm, 7:15pm sailing followed by a 9:30pm sailing. Expect to stay a little later, or leave a little sooner on Saturday leaving Bowen Island and returning to Horseshoe Bay on the ferry. Crew training is taking place. They do not let the public load until 9:10pm.
On Wednesdays the 4:40pm *Dangerous Cargo* sailing is for dangerous cargo only. The propane trucks come over Wednesday morning from Horseshoe Bay to Snug Cove, and they leave Wednesday evening. The public is not allowed on this sailing. Either catch the 3:15pm or 6:00pm from Snug Cove to HSB.
Useful tips for Ferry Sailings
Download the Bowen Island App This handy app shows you the position of the ferry, and has the latest sailings. (Not sponsored, we just really like the simplicity of it).
While the cutoff is 5min before each sailing, in practice, arrive 10-15min before your sailing for driving on & 10min before for walk-ons.
Lining up in Snug Cove for Horseshoe Bay
- Do not stop on the yellow cross hatches.
- Fill in the empty gaps in the line (unless it’s loading already)
- Do not block road traffic
Fill the gaps in the line. This isn’t budding or cutting in line, it’s a bylaw. If the ferry is already loading, go to the back of the line.
Missing the ferry (Overload)
- Return to the lineup, don’t hangout infront of the black gate.
- Don’t remain in motorcycle parking
- Stay in the rightmost lane
- If you’re at the front, make sure you can see the stop lights
- Remain calm, the ferry is never overloaded more than once.
- Check out this hike you can do at Dorman Point while waiting for the next one
Motor Cycle Loading
- Drive to the front of the ferry lineup outside of the Bowen eBikes shop.
- Make sure you can see the stoplights
- Motorcycles load first
Bicycle Loading
- Cyclists walk on with all other pedestrian traffic
- Cutoff is 5min before loading
- Walk your bike on the plated side of the ramp
- Don’t ride your bike on the ferry, they will make you walk on
Paying for the ferry
The ferry is free when leaving Snug Cove. You do not need to have kept your ticket from the ride over.