Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures

Captain Lawrence was terrific. Very engaging, informative and fun. However, some things beyond his control negatively impacted our fun. Namely his boss/VWA let him down and therefore us paying customers. First the lady taking the waivers & passing out the menus (didn’t get her name, regretfully) for Dinner at Tuscany on Bowen Island told me, my wife, our 2 friends as well as 2 new acquaintances to order 1 thing/item PER PERSON off the menu. When I asked about the pizzas she suggested we order a large pizza versus small. Upon arrival at Tuscany they indicated it was incorrect to order a large pizza for 1 person. The error was the waiver lady didn’t say a large pizza constitutes a 2 person order versus 1. The menu did say large pizza for 2. However, Capt. Lawrence said this was a newly implemented change and he was not told! CL said he and the waiver lady on shore were unaware of this change. To add to our poor experience re menus, there was a reservation mix-up and our table wasn’t ready upon arrival to Tuscany and we had to wait 1 hour to be seated to then learn the menu confusion! Lastly, the Tuscany Resturant on Bowen Island of say at least 50-65 seats HAS 1 COMMON BATHROOM! The line & wait to relieve oneself was 6 deep when we joined. The male GM suggested we go to the baseball fields toilet. Let me just say; it not EVER a recommendation any business should make for their customers. The toilets in the public Bowen Island baseball park isn’t worthy of more comment. In my view, truly customer focused, customer experienced committed organizations MAKE GOOD on their errors. Vancouver Water Adventures management not making good on these issues & putting their employees in this situation with an no ability to rectify is very troubling. Equally, I’ve just read Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential book and it is notable that the Tuscany Resturant refused to make a customer pleasing decision based on the poor communication by VWA with their own employees. The boat experience is a 5. Capt. Lawrence is a 5, VWA is a 1. Tuscany is a 1. It’s hard to separate the meal experience for a DINNER boating experience from the entire experience.

Fantastic experience with Captain Kyla, our wonderful guide. Stunning scenery and wonderful narration about the history of Vancouver. The boat was a fantastic way to see the area, and just a lot of fun. We also had a wonderful Italian dinner on Bowen Island at Tuscany. The food was homemade and delicious. Had a beautiful ride back at sunset. Highlight of our Vancouver trip.

A perfect tour on the water - big boats, city sites, seals and a spectacular sunset. Setting the tone was our good-humoured and well-informed guide/skipper Laurenz. An evening to remember.