Beaches Near Wildwood
You do not have to go far from Wildwood to get to the water. There are beaches around this side of Bowen that work well for a swim, a few hours outside, or a stop before heading back to the cabins. You do not need to see all of them.
These are a few worth knowing.
Tunstall Bay is one of the main public beaches on Bowen and one of the easier choices from Wildwood.
It has a mix of sand and rock, room to sit, water access, and public washrooms. The Bowen Island municipality also installs a seasonal swim float between May and September (check their website for dates and availability).
It is a good choice if swimming is the main plan.
Recent water-quality monitoring has also included Tunstall Bay throughout the summer swimming season.
Good for:
Swimming, sitting by the water, and stand-up paddleboarding when conditions are calm.
Tunstall Bay Beach
Bowen Bay is another straightforward option on this side of the island.
It is one of Bowen’s designated Community Beaches, which means easier public access and more facilities than many of the island’s smaller shoreline access points.
There are washrooms, and the beach is also part of the municipality’s summer water-quality monitoring program.
If you are already exploring the west side of Bowen, it is an easy beach to work into the day.
Good for:
A swim, a beach stop, or combining with some time exploring this side of the island.
Bowen Bay Beach
Roger Curtis Beach
Roger Curtis sits farther south and feels different from Tunstall or Bowen Bay.
There is public water access, parking and washroom facilities, and the municipality lists it as one of Bowen’s main Community Beaches.
It works well when you want to make the beach one part of a longer drive around Bowen rather than the whole plan.
Good for:
Swimming, exploring the south end of the island, and a longer afternoon out.
Which beach is best for swimming?
Tunstall Bay and Bowen Bay are both regularly monitored during the summer swimming season, along with several other Bowen beaches.
Tunstall is probably the simplest place to start if you are staying at Wildwood and just want to get in the water.
Conditions can change, so check the municipality’s current beach-water information if swimming is important to your day.
One place we would not send guests for a swim is Snug Cove Beach. The municipality says it is not recommended for swimming because of recurring recreational water-quality problems.
A car makes beach-hopping much easier. Bowen has public transit and you can move around without a vehicle, but many beaches sit away from the main routes and some access points involve steep roads or limited parking.
If you are staying without a car, choose the beach first and plan around that rather than trying to visit several in one day.
Do you need a car to get to the beaches?
What are Bowen Island beaches actually like?
Do not expect long stretches of resort-style sand. Bowen has a mix of sandy areas, pebbles, rocks, logs and small coves. Some beaches have easy access. Others are reached by stairs, trails or steeper roads.
The municipality separates them into Community Beaches, smaller Neighbourhood Beaches, and Coastal Access Points, and the level of access can vary quite a bit between them.
Bring shoes you do not mind getting dirty. And check the tide if you are heading somewhere smaller. Some shoreline access areas shrink considerably at high tide.
Pick one
There are a lot of places to reach the water on Bowen. You do not need to turn that into a list to complete. Choose a beach that makes sense for the day, bring something to sit on, and stay for a while.
Then head back to Wildwood.
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Tunstall Bay is one of the main beaches on Wildwood’s side of the island and is an easy option to consider from the property.
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Yes. Several Bowen beaches are regularly monitored during the summer swimming season, including Tunstall Bay and Bowen Bay. Always check current water-quality information if conditions matter to your plans.
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Some are partly sandy, but many beaches on Bowen are a mix of sand, gravel, pebbles and rock. The island also has smaller rocky coastal access points.
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Yes, at several of the main beaches. Public washrooms are listed at Tunstall Bay, Bowen Bay and Roger Curtis, among others.
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Snug Cove Beach is not recommended for swimming. The municipality says water samples there have repeatedly exceeded recreational water-quality limits.
Frequently asked questions
Back at Wildwood
A beach does not need to take the whole day. Go for a swim. Sit for a while. Come back when you're done.