Tunstall Bay is a sandy and rocky beach known for its sunsets. It was originally a retirement community in the 1950s, now it is a popular beach for swimming, kayaking, or sailing. Washrooms are available.

Sunbathe and admire the shimmering green-blue ocean waters, or watch kids taking sailing lessons and kayakers paddling around the island. Bowen residents rave about the awe-inspiring sunsets that can be seen at Tunstall Bay.

WATER QUALITY:

Sampling results from Tunstall Bay have not exceeded Health Canada's guideline values for primary water use at all in the last two years (200 E.coli bacteria/100 ml)

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.

It was well known to the Squamish that the strong fresh water influence of the Squamish River caused most clams to lodge themselves in Tunstall Bay, that could otherwise not be found anywhere else in the Howe Sound. For this reason, many Squamish people found themselves making camp at or near Gibson’s Landing.

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 Tunstall Bay and 8,000 other beaches.