Howe Sound

Howe Sound is a roughly triangular sound that opens into the Strait of Georgia and runs about 42 km northeast to Squamish, with steep mainland shores and a chain of islands including Bowen, Gambier, Passage and Anvil. The steep-sided shores and the local topography funnel breezes that build strong thermals and frequent winds, especially toward the northern end near Squamish.

The area has long been home to Indigenous peoples of the Coast Salish cultural group, notably the Squamish and Shishalh, whose village and seasonal sites are found throughout the sound and whose cultural practices continue today. European charting began in the 1790s, and the sound later supported industrial activity in the 20th century including large-scale copper mining at Britannia Beach.

Industrial pollution in the past heavily affected marine life, but decades of cleanup and conservation work have led to notable recovery, and the area was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2021. Visiting Howe Sound today offers a mix of accessible viewpoints from the Sea-to-Sky corridor, island communities reached by ferry or water taxi, and opportunities for boating, wildlife watching and outdoor recreation.

• Sea-to-Sky viewpoints: Scenic pullouts along Highway 99 offer sweeping views down the sound to islands and the Strait of Georgia.
• Island communities: Bowen, Gambier, Passage and smaller islands each have distinct shorelines and seasonal communities best reached by ferry or water taxi.
• Wildlife watching: Boats and shoreline lookouts can yield sightings of seals, sea lions, porpoises and returning whales during seasonal visits.
• Stawamus Chief and Squamish area: The dramatic granite cliffs and nearby trails at the head of the sound provide classic mountain-and-water panoramas.
• Historic Britannia Beach: The old mining settlement on the east shore is visible from the highway and is part of the sound’s industrial and environmental history.

The sound lies immediately northwest of the city of Vancouver; the nearest major airport is Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) runs along the east shore, linking Horseshoe Bay, Lions Bay, Britannia Beach and Squamish.

Much of Howe Sound is best reached by car or coach along the Sea-to-Sky corridor, with viewpoints and trailheads accessible from the highway; islands require a ferry, water taxi or private boat and schedules vary, so check local ferry operators and water-taxi services for connections and landing places.

• Expect rapidly changing weather and dress in layers - coastal rain and wind are common outside the driest weeks of summer.
• Northern parts of the sound can be very windy - if you plan to kayak or sail, use appropriate experience and safety equipment and check the forecast.
• Respect Indigenous cultural sites and private property on islands; follow posted rules and any seasonal restrictions.
• If wildlife watching by boat, keep a respectful distance and follow local guidelines to avoid disturbing marine animals.
• Roadside parking at popular viewpoints can fill on summer weekends - arrive early or use nearby trailheads to avoid crowds.