Garden Bay

• Lodging in this community
• Camping in this community 

History

Garden Bay is a small community located on the Sunshine Coast of BC. Collectively, Garden Bay, Madeira Park, and Irvine's Landing are known as Pender Harbour. A 2006 census lists Garden Bay's population at 323 residents; the community features a general store, a post office, a Pender Harbour government wharf, marinas, and the Garden Bay Hotel.

The Pender Harbour area was initially occupied by the Coast Salish First Nations. The first European settler was a man named Charles Irvine; he built a log trading post and then became involved in the Klondike gold rush. In 1904, he sold his property to "Portuguese Joe" Gonsalves and his Salish Nation wife, Susan Harris. Together, they further developed the area, building a dock, a general store, a post office, and a hotel/saloon.

Location

Garden Bay is located off of Highway 101 in Pender Harbour. The village can be reached from the Lower Mainland via a ferry at Horseshoe Bay.

Places to See

• The Sundowner Inn

The historic Sundowner Inn was built in 1929, and originally served as a hospital for the Columbia Coast Mission. At all times of the year, the building, known as St. Mary's Hospital, would house the injured, the sick, and expectant mothers. In 1964, the hospital was moved to the more centralized town of Sechelt, and the original building was converted into a hotel. Today, the main building serves as the inn and as a licenced restaurant. The former chapel is now a conference area, and the former staff residence is now available for vacation rental. Nearby is a museum which chronicles the history of the area.

• Garden Bay Provincial Marine Park

The community of Garden Bay is the gateway to Garden Bay Marine Provincial Park, which features 200 metres of shoreline, and Mount Daniel towering in the background. The park is a popular boating area, with many marinas, and good opportunies for fishing and swimming. It is open all year with no fees.

• Pender Harbour Resort & Marina

Located in Duncan Cove, the Pender Harbour Resort features many campsites, and a Chalet overlooking the Sunshine Coast's most beautiful harbour. Enjoy a game of pool in the hall, go for a swim in the pool, sit with friends and family by the fire pit, or explore the area on a rented boat. 

Things to Do

• Diving

Pender Harbour is the most popular diving spot on the Sechelt Peninsula. Hire a guide or rent a boat and go exploring around Fearney Bluffs, Nelson Rock, and the Anderson and Charles Islands.

• Hiking

Enjoy relaxing walks down easy paths, or go on more difficult hikes through the area surrounding Pender Harbour. The routes to Pender Hill and up Mount Danial are popular with experienced hikers, their summits providing spectacular views overlooking the harbour.

• Fishing

Pender Harbour is well-known for its salmon fishing. Other fish to be caught here include cod, flounder, and snapper, as well as surface-feeding trout.

Events

• Pender Harbour Blues Festival

The Pender Harbour Blues Festival features concerts held at different venues in Pender Harbour's three communities. It was originally founded in 2003, being held entirely at the Garden Bay Pub. Since then, it has expanded considerably and grown in popularity.

• Pender Harbour Jazz Festival

Like the aforementioned blues festival, the Pender Harbour Jazz Festival features concerts held in all three communities. It takes place annually on the third weekend of September, with a line-up comprised of jazz muscicians from all over the world. Highlights include performances by the Jazz 5 from Denmark, Vancouver's Rumba Calzada, trumpet player Jim Rotondi from New York, and the Nathan Hiltz Trio from Toronto.

Nearby Communities

Contact Information

Pender Harbour

RR-1, S-15, C-18
Madeira Park, BC V0N 2H0

Telephone: 604-883-0010
E-mail: mail@penderharbour.org
Website: www.penderharbour.org