Pender Island, BC

Know the town

About Pender Island

Pender Island is really two islands — North and South Pender — joined by a short one-lane bridge over a narrow canal dug in the early 1900s. Quiet, green and friendly, it is one of the Southern Gulf Islands, with a few thousand residents, sheltered coves, forest trails and much of its shoreline protected in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.

North Pender

Most of the island’s homes, shops and services are on North Pender. The Driftwood Centre is the main shopping area, with a grocery store, cafés and other businesses, and a community hall hosts markets and events. Small bays and marinas around the shore are popular with boaters, and quiet country roads wind past farms and orchards.

South Pender and the park

South Pender is wilder and more sparsely settled. Mount Norman, in the national park reserve, has a forest trail to a viewpoint over the islands and the mainland mountains. Beaumont, on the shore below, is a lovely spot for a picnic or a paddle, and other park areas, such as Roesland, offer easy walks along the water.

Island life

Pender has a strong community spirit, with local artists, growers and small businesses, a golf course and a much-loved disc golf course in the woods. Kayaking, cycling and beach walks are the island’s favourite pastimes, and the pace is relaxed in every season.

Getting here

BC Ferries sails to Otter Bay on North Pender from Swartz Bay near Victoria and from Tsawwassen on the mainland; inter-island sailings link it to its neighbours. Book ahead on summer weekends.

The Penders’ verified local businesses are below; island events appear on the Gulf Islands calendar.

For council, permits, garbage and recycling, parks bookings and other local services, visit Capital Regional District — Southern Gulf Islands.