Pender Island

Pender Island is a pastoral ocean paradise in Southern Gulf Islands, nestled between rugged Vancouver Island and British's Columbia's Sunshine Coast. You will enjoy the wide variety of activities on Pender Island, along with the offerings from local artists, artisans and businesses. Whether it be a delicious gourmet meal, the weekly Saturday Morning Farmers Market, hiking and camping in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR) or some chill out time on the beach.

Understand

View looking down the shore

Pender Island has an interesting mix of merchants, sailors, artists, musicians, writers, artisans, and travellers. World-class accommodations, camping, restaurants and parks make it one of Canada's best tourist destinations. Blessed with mild weather, fair seas, breathtaking views and a fertile soil, Pender Island is also home to some of the finest wines made in the world. The climate is so mild that palm, kiwi, and olive trees can be grown. It's quite charming. Pender also has one of the best disk golf courses in the world!

If you are sailing in the area, you should check out Bedwell Harbour;It's a great place to anchor; there is a marine park there and a resort also. This is also the location of Canada Customs office if you are coming from somewhere other than Canada.

Get in

By boat

• BC Ferries, toll-free: +1-888-223-3779. Car ferries connecting the larger of the Southern Gulf Islands (Galiano, Mayne, Pender, Salt Spring, and Saturna) with Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal in Delta and Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal near Sidney. Free reservations are strongly recommended, especially in the summer and can be made online or by phone. (updated Jun 2022)
  • 1 Pender Island (Otter Bay) ferry terminal, 1371 Otter Bay Road. (updated Oct 2023)

By plane

• Seair Seaplanes, ☏ +1-604-273-8900, toll-free: +1-800-447-3247. Operates seaplane flights to coastal communities in southwestern British Columbia. (updated Apr 2022) Flights to Pender Island from Vancouver International Airport.

See

• 1 Roesland (Pender Island Museum), 2408 South Otter Bay Rd, ☏ +1 250-217-0823. Wander through a historic cottage resort and learn about Pender Islands' history and lore. The original Roesland farmhouse, built in 1908, is now operated by the Pender Islands Museum Society. (updated Apr 2023)

Do

Magic Lake

• Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR). Offers opportunities for boating, kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing and picnicking. (updated Apr 2023)
  • 1 Hike up Mount Norman. Follow the Beaumont and Mount Norman trails to along the challenging upwards trek (climbing 244 metres) to the top of Mount Norman. Accessible by trailheads at Canal and Ainslie Point roads, Mount Norman features breathtaking vistas of the surrounding Gulf Islands. (updated Apr 2023)
  • 2 Hike to Roe Lake at Roesland. One of the only natural freshwater lakes in the Southern Gulf Islands. Is accessible via the trailheads at either South Otter Bay or Galleon Bay Roads. The hike is less than a kilometre each way. (updated Apr 2023)
• Keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of local wildlife: black-tailed deer, raccoons, bald eagles and great blue herons all call the Penders their home.

Buy

• 1 Driftwood Centre, 4605 Bedwell Harbour Road (in the centre of Pender Island). Daily 9AM-6PM. Grocery store, bakery cafe, liquor store, pharmacy, service station, post office, bank and specialty shops. (updated May 2018)
• 2 Hope Bay Store, 15-4301 Bedwell Harbour Rd. The Goldsmith Shop (custom jewellery, watches & batteries, +1 250-813-3321), Pender Chocolates (gourmet hand-made chocolates, +1 250-507-6199), Red Tree Gallery (artisan cooperative, +1 250-629-6800). (updated May 2018)

Eat

• 1 Jo's Place, 4605 Bedwell Harbour Road (Driftwood Centre), ☏ +1 250-629-6033. Daily 8AM-2PM, and May-Sep: F Sa Su 5PM-8PM. Breakfasts, salads, wraps, burgers ($15), dinners from $18. (updated May 2018)

Drink

• 1 Port Browning Marina Pub, 4605 Oak Rd, ☏ +1 250-629-3493. classic beers and pub fare, and local organic products, locally caught seafood, and a few new micro brews. Sandwiches and burgers $13-20, mains $14-20, pizzas $25-19. (updated May 2018)

Sleep

Poets Cove Resort

• 1 Poets Cove Resort & Spa, 9801 Spalding Road, ☏ +1 250-629-2100, toll-free: +1-888-512-7638, info@poetscove.com. Apr 1-Nov 1 only. From $240. (updated May 2018)

Camping

• 2 Prior Centennial Campground (accessed from Canal Rd), toll-free: +1-877-737-3783. Part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Prior Centennial is a vehicle accessible campground with 17 campsites available. Amenities offered at Prior Centennial include potable water, pit toilets and fire pits (seasonally available). (updated May 2023)