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
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
- B.C. Ferries, toll-free: 1-888-223-3779. Operates car ferries to Otter Bay on Pender Island, and to the larger Southern Gulf Islands. Free reservations are strongly recommended, especially in the summer and can be made online or by a toll-free phone call.
Some of the islands are also serviced by float planes from either the Vancouver harbour or airport.
Get around
See and do
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Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR) offers opportunities for boating, kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing and picnicking.
- At Beaumont/Mt. Norman, take the challenging upwards trek (climbing 244 metres) to the top of Mt. Norman. Accessible by trailheads at Canal and Ainslie Point roads, Mt. Norman features breathtaking vistas of the surrounding Gulf Islands.
- At Roesland 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.
- 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.
- 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.
For more information about Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, please call ☏ 1-866-944-1744.
Buy
- Driftwood Centre, 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.
- 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).
Eat
- [dead link]Philly's Diner at Hope Bay, 7-4301 Bedwell Harbour Rd, ☏ 1 250-629-2090. call. Delicious food & spectacular views.
- 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.
- Penderosa Pizza, 5827 Schooner Way, ☏ 1 250-629-6666. Su-Th noon-10PM, F Sa noon-11PM. Pizzas, pastas and salads.
Drink
- Port Browning Marina Pub, ☏ 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.
Sleep
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- Poets Cove Resort & Spa, 9801 Spalding Road, ☏ 1 250-629-2100, toll-free: 1-888-512-7638, ✉[email protected]. Apr 1-Nov 1 only. From $240.
- Salmonberry Inn, 9888 Canal Road. Three guest rooms feature wooden beams, a private entrance, ensuite bathroom with large double showers and kitchenettes luxurious king or queen beds, bamboo linens, heated floors and private terrace. A hearty gourmet breakfast in your room, or on your own patio or in the dining room. Farm-to-table ingredients. $200-225.
Camping
- At Prior Centennial Campground (GINPR). 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).To reserve a campsite at Prior Centennial, call ☏ 1-877-737-3783.
Backcountry camping
- Beaumont Marine Park Campsite in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Beaumont has 11 back-country campsites near the Bedwell Harbour shoreline. The site can be reached by boat or by a hike of moderate difficulty from Ainslie Point Road. Boots are essential for the hike. A gated unpaved road branches from the north-east side of Ainslie. A vehicle can be parked at the roadside but the road and gate must remain clear for emergency access. The earthen road extends east of the gate about 1.6 km to the peak of Mount Norman. Approximately 0.6 km east of the gate the trail to Beaumont is marked, branching to the south. The initial section of the trail, climbing over a ridge, is relatively steep and rugged. Beyond that the trail descends to the east until reaching the campsites near sea level. Fresh water in not available at the site and must be carried in. Additional information is available from Parks Canada.