Understand
[edit]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
[edit]By boat
[edit]- 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.
- 1 Pender Island (Otter Bay) ferry terminal, 1371 Otter Bay Road.
By plane
[edit]- Seair Seaplanes, ☏ +1-604-273-8900, toll-free: +1-800-447-3247. Operates seaplane flights to coastal communities in southwestern British Columbia. Flights to Pender Island from Vancouver International Airport.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]- 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.
Do
[edit]- Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR). Offers opportunities for boating, kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing and picnicking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
[edit]- 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.
- 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).
Eat
[edit]- 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.
Drink
[edit]- 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.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 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.
Camping
[edit]- 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).
Connect
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