How to Relax on Bowen Island Before the Holidays Take Over
If fall and winter are shaping up to be busy, put a date on the calendar now for a day trip from Vancouver to Bowen Island, before the holidays claim every open weekend.
With the area being warm and mild until the end of October, you'll have a chance to extend the feeling of a vacation without even needing to stay overnight, though there's always the option to at Nectar Yoga Retreat. If you’re a busy parent, or simply are busy, you may resonate with this note from Mimi Young, a mom of two and local, small business owner of occult brand Ceremonie (and who also returns to Nectar to facilitate annual spiritual retreats).
"By September I'd like a mini vacation away from the family and business, which working-from-home parents of summer-break kids will resonate with. Everyone is home, all the time, needing snacks and refereeing. A whole week away once school starts isn't on the table, but a single, mid-week day on Bowen, separated from the mainland via a short ferry ride, is within reach and is g l o r i o u s.
I love going to Mist solo, or with a close friend who I am comfortable to be quiet with. I love how they have a transition tub as a more moderate option, as it works well with my perimenopausal body. There's something indecently pleasurable when confronted with these elements of heat and milder contrast, as I sit by the fire in their waffle robe, sunken into a sea of cushions, letting my eyes rest, taking in green. I obviously get home with the same responsibilities, but for a few hours I was able to recharge and refill.” — Mimi Young
Bowen Island Attractions and Other Things To Do
Where to Eat on Bowen
The ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Snug Cove takes twenty minutes. If you arrive on Bowen in the morning, you may want to enjoy breakfast at Tippy’s, or a coffee at Artisan Eats before heading to Crippen Regional Parkor the trail around Killarney Lakefor an easy and scenic hike.
If you’re looking for lunch or an afternoon treat, Branch offers handmade tacos in the warmer months and steamed dumplings and ramen in the cooler months.
Where to Shop on Bowen
If browsing charming boutiques and other Bowen Island small businesses is your jam, you’ll want to walk around Artisan Square, where the likes ofSangre de Fruta,Miki Tanaka, and Wren can be found. But the best kept secret on Bowen is Nectar’s Boutique a well curated shop of sacred and functional objects and gifts.
Where to Spa on Bowen Island
Uphill for six minutes from Artisan Square via car (Bowen is best explored via a vehicle as there are no Ubers and buses run infrequently), Mist Thermal Sanctuary is located in the heart of Bowen within an old forest, right next to Nectar Retreat. Offering three separate private thermal therapy units, what the Vancouver Sun describes as, “elevated to the next level”, expect a luxe changing suite with vanity and a private tea bar, wood-fire sauna, a cold plunge and a milder transition tub, an outdoor eucalyptus shower, and a fire lounge where guests experience forest bathing to the sounds of ravens above the canopy, the rustling of leaves, and the intoxicating yet deeply relaxing scent of forest petrichor.
The mineral-rich water used in the outdoor showers and tubs comes from a filtered spring aquifer underground, separate from municipal water. The walk up from the parking area runs through the forest of conifers before reaching check-in, so by the time the circuit begins, the forest has already started to relax you.
Why a Private Circuit Spa Experience Beats a Shared One if You’re Looking for Stress Relief
Among many spas, even the best spas in BC, guests often need to share saunas with strangers. That may work well if you're looking for a more social experience, but what if it's nervous system regulation and deep relaxation you're craving? Mist's 90 and 120 minute private sauna and cold plunge experiences combined with forest bathing makes it an ideal way to practice how to relax, as a gift experience for couples, or a unique holiday gift.
An Easeful Day That Doesn't Need Much Planning or Prepping
An early or midday ferry, a walk into Crippen Regional Park, lunch by the pier, and a private thermal circuit fills the day, and you can still be in your own bed by 10PM. The best approach to Bowen Island activities is to keep the list short. One trail, 1-2 meals, and downtime at Mist Thermal on Bowen covers plenty of ground. Our guests often tell us that they return home feeling just as refreshed as they would if they went away somewhere for a week.
Book Ahead at Bowen Island’s Forest Spa
It's recommended to book ahead to avoid disappointment. If your preferred spot on a specific date is already taken, add your name to both the 90 and 120 minute waitlists, and you'll be notified automatically if a space opens.
Or perhaps you're already thinking about the holidays. A Mist spa gift certificate never expires, which makes it one of the more flexible experience gift ideas in Vancouver, whether you're planning ahead for someone else or simply giving yourself permission to book a date that works.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Cold-water immersion and thermal practices can affect people differently depending on your health, medications, and life stage. If you are pregnant, in perimenopause, living with a medical condition, or taking medication, speak with your healthcare provider before beginning.