Bowser Real Estate
Bowser is a small, quiet community on the Strait of Georgia, about an hour north of the city of Nanaimo. The community in its entirety consists of a few small neighborhoods around the Island Highway, with most of the homes sandwiched between the main road and the coast. Through unincorporated, Bowser is surrounded by a number of similarly-sized communities, including Deep Bay and Mud Bay to the north, and Qualicum to the south. Because of its rural nature, residents of Bowser enjoy the area for its tranquil atmosphere and scenic beauty. Contact the Carly Carey Real Estate Team today or click to read more about Bowser real estate.
Bowser Real Estate Statistics
Average Price | $848K |
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Lowest Price | $320K |
Highest Price | $1.7M |
Total Listings | 17 |
Avg. Days On Market | 41 |
Avg. Price/SQFT | $586 |
Property Types (active listings)
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Bowser Real Estate Highlights
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01Small community with friendly neighbours
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02Large properties partially or completely hidden by trees
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03Amenities for boating enthusiasts, campers, and more
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04Located away from the hustle and bustle of city life

Bowser Real Estate
With a population under 2,000 (as of 2021), Bowser is one of the smaller communities along the Island Highway. Its real estate market is almost entirely single-family homes, although there are sometimes opportunities to own mixed-use buildings or, more frequently, vacant land.
Bower's prime location on the coast means that there are some opportunities purchase a home on or overlooking the beach, but because of the community's small size, these properties are quite desirable and not always found on the real estate market. As a whole, Bowser comprises only a few streets, with its major residential area located east of the highway. Additionally, Browser and its surrounding communities are considered an excellent vacation destination, so there are some rental properties and resorts nearby.
In regards to homes for sale, Browser leans decidedly traditional, with single-storey cottages and luxury cabins being the most prevalent.
Bowser Lifestyle
The Bowser lifestyle is one that is slow-paced and relaxing. Attracting nature-lovers, retirees, and summer vacationers, this community might be less developed than some of the others in the area, but it certainly appeals to those who long for that small-town atmosphere.
Bowser is pretty quiet, and its streets don't see a whole lot of traffic. Homes also tend to be situated a little bit back from the road, with plenty of space between houses. There is one school within the community, Bowser Elementary School. Students who are older must be bused to the nearby town of Qualicum Beach.
Stores in Bowser are located off of the highway in the southern end. Magnoila Court, the community's shopping centre, has a pharmacy, a hair salon, a gift shop, a cafe, and more. Tomm's Food Village is Bowser's supermarket, which is located right beside a gas station.
Top Bowser Highlights & Amenities
The Bowser community is one of outdoor enthusiasts and nature-lovers. Whilst is oceanfront homes are sought-after, the community's beach is relatively rocky and small, and is not considered the best for swimming. However, the area is known for its other activities, which include boating and kayaking, hiking, camping, wildlife watching, and fishing.
There are a number of hiking areas where residents can explore the forests of Vancouver Island. Perfect for taking a stroll with the family and/or the dog, or even for more serious hikes, the natural areas to the west allow for excellent day trips or getaways. Some of the parks and trails in the area include the following:
- Lighthouse Country Regional Trail
- Nile Creek Trailhead
- Rosewall Creek Provincial Park
- Therriault Falls
- Spider Lake Provincial Park
- Qualicum First Nation Campground
The Bowser and Deep Bay area also has a small island, Chrome Island, which has a staffed lighthouse, accessible only by boat or helicopter.
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Bowser Real Estate Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the community called Bowser?
A: Bowser was named after William John Bowser, Canadian politician and lawyer—not after a Japanese cartoon character.
Q: Where is Chrome Island and does anyone live there?
A: Chrome Island is a small island off of the Bowser coast. It has a lighthouse, a few buildings, and a helipad, but not much else.
Q: How old is Chrome Island?
A: Petroglyphs depicting various animals have been found on Chrome Island, which suggests that this area has been home to people for thousands of years.