Pender Island

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History

Pender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Strait of Georgia. Pender Island consists of two islands, North Pender and South Pender, which are separated by a narrow canal originally dredged in 1903. In 1955 the islands were connected by a one lane bridge, as it remains today.

The islands, along with Pender Harbour, were named by Captain Richards for Staff Commander (later Captain) Daniel Pender, R.N. who surveyed the coast of British Columbia aboard the Plumper, the HMS Hecate and the Beaver from 1857 to 1870.

North Pender was the scene of rivalry for many years between Hope Bay and Port Washington, where the first wharf was built in 1891. Both sites lobbied for the ferry and post office, and both won - on and off. Politically the areas were at ends as well and according to longtime resident, David Davidson of Roesland, parents used to threaten their children if they were naughty by saying, "If you don't behave I'll send you over to Hope Bay." The first postmaster, Washington Grimmer, brought the mail to North Pender by rowboat from Mayne Island.

Now the rivalry is gone and both locations, still steeped in history with their red "government docks" and country stores are popular destinations for locals and tourists.

Location

Pender and the other Southern Gulf Islands rest between Vancouver on the mainland and Victoria on Vancouver Island, sheltered in the Straight of Georgia just north of the San Juan Islands. Pender is only a 40 minute ferry ride from the BC Ferries terminal at Swartz Bay near Victoria, and less than 2 hours on the ferry from Tsawwassen if you are coming from Vancouver. But experiencing the beauty of the Southern Gulf Islands by float plane will get you to Pender in significantly less time.

Places to See

• Driftwood Centre

Here visitors will find most of their needs met: there's a post office, a pharmacy, a liquor store, an insurance agency, a bakery, a deli, a grocery store, a real estate office, a gift store, a clothing store, and a gallery/book shop. On summer and fall Saturdays, a Farmers' Market flourishes at both Driftwood Mall and at the Community Hall.

• Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve safeguards a portion of British Columbia's beautiful southern Gulf Islands, truly a special place - rich in nature, rich in culture. Recreational opportunities include boating, kayaking, camping, picnicking, and hiking or simply enjoying the many sheltered beaches.

• Pender Island Golf and Country Club

A challenging 9-hole course, considered by many to be one of the best 9-hole courses in the province. A real Gulf Island jewel.

• MacDonald Farm Store

MacDonald Farm is located in an 1895 heritage farmhouse where local farm products are provided by the Pender Islands Farmers Alliance collaborative. You will find local meat in season, eggs, vegetables, fruit, herbs, flowers, wool products, and more. Stop by and see the heritage livestock and a farm museum.

Things to Do

• View the Unique Art and Cultural Heritage

The Gulf Islands are renowned for their artists as well as for their magnificent scenery. Throughout the islands, there are many painters, sculptors, potters, musicians, and authors, as well as craftspeople of all types. The locations of private and commercial galleries are often available on island maps, and some of the islands have recommended walking or driving tours.

• Hiking

Many hikes are to be found on both North and South Pender. One of the most beautiful is the hike through from Roesland on North Pender over to Roe Lake and down to Shingle Bay. Mt. Norman trail offers panoramic views, and other shorter trails are yours to discover. They are all marked by signs.

• Biking

Bicycles can be rented and repaired on the Penders. Although most of the islands are hilly, there are circular tours and a few routes that take cyclists away from most of the traffic, even in summer.

• Kayaking

Kayakers wishing to paddle to the popular and easy-to-reach Beaumont Marine Park in Bedwell Harbour can launch from Medicine Beach on North Pender, and the government dock at Bedwell Bay on South Pender. Allow 30 minutes to make the 1.6-kilometre (1-mile) paddle from either location. For those who come with car-top or hand-carried boats, there are numerous places to launch in the Penders. Suitable locations include Grimmer Bay, Hope Bay, Port Browning, and Miracle Beach on North Pender Island, and Bedwell Harbour and Gowlland Point at the foot of Craddock Road on South Pender Island. Nearby paddle destinations include the western shores of Pender Island, Princess Margaret (Portland Island) and James Bay (Prevost Island), part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, both of which boast marine parks. Ocean kayaking lessons and guides knowledgeable about local wildlife and waterfowl are available throughout the year.   

Nearby Communities

Contact Information

Pender Island Chamber of Commerce
Box 123
Pender Island, BC V0N 2M0
Tel: (250) 629-3988
Fax: (866) 468-7924
E-mail: travel@penderislandchamber.com
Web: www.penderislandchamber.com

Pender Island Guide
Web: www.penderisland.info