Howe Sound - North America's southernmost fjord
Bowen Island    Gambier Island    Keats Island     Anvil Island  

Located northwest of Vancouver is the spectacular Howe Sound - best known as  North America's southernmost fjord.   It extends from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver and north to Squamish. Travelling the Sea to Sky Highway from West Vancouver to Squamish, one is surrounded by towering peaks that rise straight out of the sea.   Howe Sound's proximity to Vancouver gave Vancouverites a unique playground for sailing, diving, camping, hiking, and a host of other recreational activities.  A Vancouverite can easily sail and ski on the same day - hence the name Sea to Sky Highway for the road that goes from West Vancouver to Squamish.

Howe Sound includes many islands, and clusters of islands.  The four main islands are Bowen Island, Gambier Island, Keats Island and Anvil Island.  The little dot on the map between Bowen Island and Horseshoe Bay is Anvil Island.  Clusters of islands in Howe Sound include Pasley Island, Bowyer Island, which again, consists of private summer homes.

For those travelling by car, travel time between  Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal to Snug Cove terminal, in Bowen Island is only about 20 minutes.  

Ferry terminal at Gibsons Langdale Terminal goes to Keats Island and Gambier Island.  There is no ferry services to Anvil Island, which comprises mostly of seasonal private homes.  However, there are water taxis available for hire for private transport to these islands.
 

  ---------- ferry route

Sea to Sky Highway from West Vancouver to Whistler.  Note the spectacular scenic mountain views

The Lions Mountains in the
North Shore of Vancouver

Aerial view of Snug cove marina and ferry terminal of Bowen Island