Have you ever hopped on a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to spend a few hours on Bowen Island?

If you haven’t, you should. It’s the perfect weekend afternoon getaway.

Door-to-door from our downtown apartment, the trip only takes an hour. That’s roughly the same amount of time commuters spend travelling from Vancouver to Surrey every day!

On Super Bowl Sunday our friends, who were staying on their boat in Snug Cove, invited us to Bowen to watch the game at Doc Morgan’s. Having recently joined the “boycott cable” movement, we jumped at the chance for a Super Bowl adventure.

Full disclosure: I don’t know much about football, but watch the Super Bowl every year for the half time show and to indulge in the junk food I try to avoid the rest of the year.

Comfort Food

When it comes to pub grub, Doc Morgan’s delivers. It’s the type of place where deep fried dishes dominate the menu.

We started with a round of chicken wings. They were delicious and the perfect way to kick off our Super Bowl Party – well, that and Lady Gaga’s awesome performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner”.

I ordered fish and chips for dinner. They weren’t the best I’ve ever had – I think it’s hard to beat Steveston when it comes to this dish. But you don’t just go to Doc Morgan’s for the food; you go for the ambiance.

The restaurant has a big fireplace, white paneled ceilings and a beautiful view of the cove. With a couple of dogs wandering around, friends and comfort food, Doc Morgan’s feels like home. The service is amazing and I’ve heard the patio is awesome in the summer.

After the game ended, we hung out on our friends’ boat and then caught the 9pm ferry back to Horseshoe Bay. With no traffic, we were home in less than an hour.

So the next time you feel like an adventure that’s close to home, consider Bowen. It’s only a 30-minute ferry ride from the city. From hikes and art galleries to restaurants and cafes, there’s something for everyone. We’ll definitely be back to try Tuscany – a pizza and Mediterranean restaurant.

Tips

• Cost of parking at Horseshoe Bay: $19 per day (ending at midnight) or $11 for six hours
• Cost of ferry ticket (only have to pay one-way): $12.10 (walk-on)/person
• Travel time to Bowen: 30-35 minutes
• Doc Morgan’s address: 439 Bowen Island Trunk Road