Directly north of Tunstall Bay lies Bowen Bay, a popular destination for young families due to its placid, shallow waters and sandy shores. Swim out to the float, and watch out for seals and seagulls. Public bathrooms are available.

Bowen Bay is also the site of the annual Bowen Island Polar Bear Swim on New Year's Day. The beach is served by local buses.

FIRST NATIONS PLACENAME:

The name for Bowen Island in the Squamish language is Nexwlélexwm meaning “fast drumming ground". It was named this because deer were so abundant on Bowen Island, and the name reflected the sound their hooves would make when running. On Nexwlélexwm, the Squamish established a tiny village called Qole’laqom and here they hunted, fished or stopped over during long voyages up and down the coast.

Watch this video to learn how to say Nexwlélexwm - https://youtu.be/jWOpr6wtaUI

FIRST NATIONS HISTORY:

Bowen Island, Nexwlélexwm, is part of the ancestral and unceded territory of the Squamish Nation.

The island was not used as a permanent settlement ground. It was mainly used instead as a stopping ground on long journeys up and down the coast. The island also provided food and sustenance such as deer, salmon, and smelts herring, and therefore it also easily became a seasonal hunting ground.

First Nations Information From:

https://howesound.wordpress.com/2020/07/14/bowen-island-nexwlelexwm/

https://bowenislandmuseum.ca/first-nations-on-bowen/

https://www.bowenheritage.org/a-short-history-of-bowen-island.html

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for Bowen Bay and 8,000 other beaches.