Tunstall Bay Beach is a beautiful west-facing, off-leash dog beach. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on Tunstall Bay Beach in July and August, as it is very popular in the summer. Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach all other months of the year.
There is a fairly large parking area at the beach, but it does fill up on sunny days. The beach also has a small boat launch, although it will not accommodate trailers – you can drive your boat fairly close to the water and then you will have to carry it down.
Other amenities at the beach include an accessible pit toilet and an unpaved ramp that could likely accommodate a wheelchair to access the beach.
Our Visit to Tunstall Bay Beach
We visited the beach without a dog so we were able to walk along the beach and properly check it out. While we were there we met two other groups of people who had arrived with their dogs, only to find that dogs were not allowed. They were feeling frustrated as Tunstall is one of the only beaches that does not have a long and steep beach access making it difficult to enjoy a beach day with your dog. We gave both groups directions to nearby King Edward Bay Beach and Crayola Beach.
Off-Leash Dogs on Bowen Island
Bowen Island’s municipal website says that, “dogs are currently allowed off-leash in all municipal parks but must be kept under control by owners.” It also says that “dogs are not allowed on Tunstall, Sandy or Bowen Bay Beaches in July and August,” however, “at all other coastal access points, leashes are optional, so long as your dog is under control and kept within 3 metres of you.”
“Public beach,” as defined in Bowen Island’s Animal Control Bylaws, “means those public lands located between the low water mark and fifteen (15) metres upland of the high water mark of any body of salt water”
