The Ranch on Bowen | Private Pool & Forest Retreat

Welcome to The Ranch on Bowen, a relaxed, character-filled island home tucked onto 3 acres of forest just outside Snug Cove. Designed for gathering, the Ranch combines generous indoor spaces with exceptional outdoor living. Spend summer afternoons around the private pool, linger over dinner on the many decks, wander through the gardens and forest, or curl up beside the fireplace when the weather turns. Comprises 4+ sleeping areas, multiple living spaces, and lots of room to spread out,

The Ranch is professionally managed locally by Saskia Tait and her team at Discover Bowen. We respect your privacy during your stay, while remaining readily available by message or phone if you need assistance.

Discover Bowen has Experience Partnerships with a range of local adventure outfitters—including Bowen e-Bikes, Bowen Island Sea Kayaking, Mountain Tide Adventures, MIST Thermal Spa, mobile yoga, spa, and massage therapy service providers, and more. Be sure to inquire about direct bookings and discounts for Discover Bowen partner properties, including the The Ranch on Bowen.

The Ranch feels wonderfully tucked away while still being close to the heart of Bowen Island. Snug Cove, the ferry terminal, restaurants, cafés and shops are only a short 3-minute drive away, while Grafton Lake, island trails, beaches, artisan studios, Nectar Yoga, and the Bowen Island Cidery are all within easy reach.

Detailed arrival instructions and access information will be provided before check-in. Please note that the Ranch has a significant number of stairs both indoors and outdoors and is not well suited to guests or pets with mobility limitations. Also, the property sits at the top of a hilly driveway, so arriving by car is considerably easier than walking up from public transit with luggage.

The approximately 3,700 sq. ft. home has an eclectic, rustic character with touches of mid-century design and the relaxed feeling of a well-loved island retreat. Large windows frame the surrounding forest, filling the house with changing light throughout the day, while several distinct living areas give a group plenty of room to come together, or disappear into a quiet corner with a book or the media room for a movie.

The main living room centres around a wood-burning fireplace and opens naturally into the other gathering spaces of the house. A separate media room downstairs offers a comfortable spot for movies, games or an afternoon out of the sun, and there is a dedicated desk and monitor for anyone who needs to mix a little work with island time.

The house has three bedrooms upstairs, with an additional twin sleeping area and media room on the ground level, as well as 2.5 bathrooms. Multiple decks extend the living space outdoors in warmer months, so there always seems to be another place to find sun, shade or a bit of privacy.

The fully equipped kitchen has everything you need to cook for a group, but one of our favourite spaces is the adjoining dining room: a bright sunroom wrapped in windows, with views into the gardens and forest. It is an especially lovely place for long breakfasts, family dinners and lingering around the table after the plates have been cleared. Just outside the kitchen is a full-size BBQ and upper deck, while a series of lower decks and lounging areas step down toward the lawn and pool below.

The grounds have a wonderful established feeling, with mature ornamental trees and shrubs creating pockets of shade and privacy and something different to notice in every season. Beyond the more cultivated gardens, the property gradually gives way to the surrounding forest. In summer, much of life at the Ranch naturally moves outside. The large private pool becomes the centre of the day, with decks and lawn around it for reading, lounging and keeping an eye on the swimmers. Elsewhere on the property you'll find a covered gazebo and plenty of room to wander. With three acres to spread out across, the Ranch feels wonderfully tucked away, even though Snug Cove and the ferry are only minutes away.

It isn't a manicured resort experience. The charm here is something more relaxed: coffee among the trees, bare feet between the house and pool, dinner coming off the BBQ, children exploring the grounds and playing in the pool, and friends finding their favourite spot on one of the decks. It's a house that works particularly well for groups who want to spend time together without having to spend every moment in the same room.

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS:
The home includes:
> Primary bedroom: king bed
> Second bedroom: king bed
> Third bedroom: queen bed
> Twin bedroom: two single beds
> Media room: double sofa bed

*PLEASE NOTE: The twin bedroom opens directly into the media room rather than having its own bedroom door. The media room itself closes off from the hallway with a glass door.
The primary bedroom is visually private, but an adjoining closet wall does not extend completely to the ceiling, so sound can travel between the bedroom and the main living area. We recommend considering these details when deciding how best to arrange your group.

GETTING TO THE ISLAND
Bowen Island is reached by a short BC Ferries crossing from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Snug Cove. The Queen of Capilano leaves Horseshoe Bay between the hours of 5:45 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The crossing time is 20 minutes. All tickets include return fare. When you depart Bowen you will not be asked to show your receipt. Be aware that ticket sales close ten minutes prior to the scheduled sailing and sometimes there are lineups to purchase tickets, so give yourself enough time. Cormorant Marine provides charter services, please visit their website for more information.

ON THE ISLAND
Once on Bowen, a vehicle is the easiest way to reach the Ranch and explore the island. Public transit does operate from Snug Cove, but the property is located uphill from the nearest route and may not be ideal for guests travelling with luggage or mobility limitations.

There are three community transit bus routes operated by TransLink. The 280 Bluewater runs from Snug Cove towards the western side of the island, turning around at Spyglass Road. The 281 Eagle Cliff runs from Snug Cove along the eastern side of the island to Hood Point and back. The 282 Mt. Gardner runs on weekends only. Buses generally arrive to and leave Snug Cove with the arrival/departure of the ferry, but there are some exceptions. Please go to the Translink website and search for the route number to find the schedule, or use Google trip planner.

Perhaps the most exciting way to get around is by renting a LSV from Bowen eBikes. LSV’s are different from Golf Carts, in that they have mirrors, signal lights, licence plates, and seatbelts. LSV’s are road legal, and are great for groups of 4 looking to enjoy the day. Bowen eBikes is currently the only operation to offer eBikes for rent. You can , or walk up day of for rentals. Even if you aren’t looking to use a bike, they have great information on where to go and what to do for most of the year.

For those driving, make sure to have a full tank of gas, especially in the summer. The Bowen Island Gas Station is closed on Saturdays and Sundays and can restrict fuelling of vehicles to $50 max/day OR may cut off non-residents entirely if there is a fuel shortage. This happens at least a few weekends a summer.

We recommend checking current BC Ferries and TransLink schedules before travelling, particularly on summer weekends and holidays.

** Please review these details before booking**

> The swimming pool is seasonal and unheated. It is normally available from approximately the May long weekend through the end of September and winterized thereafter.
> The room with two single beds is semi-open to the adjoining media room and does not have its own door. The media room has a glass door separating it from the hallway.
> In the primary bedroom, an adjoining closet wall does not extend fully to the ceiling. The room is visually private, but sound can travel between the bedroom and nearby living space.
> The property is located at the top of a hilly driveway. A vehicle is strongly recommended, particularly when arriving with luggage. This will also allow you to explore the island more readily—though you'll be tempted to stay at the Ranch, there's lots to see on both coasts!
> There is ample parking at the top of the driveway, but if you are coming with more than 2-3 vehicles, you will need to plan to be strategic about leaving enough room for everybody to park. Extra vehicles can be parked at the storage barn below the main house, though whoever parks there will need to walk about 150' up to the house after parking.
> There are numerous indoor and outdoor stairs, making the property unsuitable for guests or pets with significant mobility concerns.
> The Ranch is a private home in a natural, forested setting. Guests can expect the sights and sounds that come with island and woodland living.
For filming, photography or event inquiries, please contact us before booking.
> The driveway is not suitable for kids on bikes unless they are very comfortable navigating very steep hills on bikes! eBikes will easily make it up the driveway. Bowen Island in general is difficult to traverse by bike without a motor, though there are some places that are great for kids (ask your host).