PENDER ISLAND(S)

While most people simply refer to Pender Island in the singular, in fact it is two islands (North Pender and South Pender). They are joined by a one-lane bridge that crosses the narrow canal dug in 1903 to benefit steamship travel through the Gulf Islands. The area of the two islands combined is about 34 square kilometres.

Pender Island is the second most populous of the southern Gulf Islands (which lie in the Strait of Georgia between British Columbia's lower mainland and Vancouver Island). Its permanent residents number about 2,000, made up of young families, young and old retirees, and a large number of business professionals who work in Victoria, Vancouver and farther afield - many telecommuting. In the summer, the island population doubles when seasonal residents and visitors arrive to cycle, hike, cruise, golf, fish or enjoy a peaceful retreat at one of the resorts or B&Bs.

The island has no village or town center although the Driftwood Center, with its many stores and offices, serves as the island's business center. The Post Office, Liquor Store, Capital Regional District office, National Parks office, fitness centre, cable office, pharmacy, laundromat, insurance office, gas station, bank, bakery, grocery store, real estate office, hair salon and a gift shop are all located at "The Drift". There are businesses also at Port Washington, Hope Bay, at the three marinas (Otter Bay Marina, Port Browning Marina and Poets Cove Resort) and a few others, including farmstands, along our country roads.

The Penders are primarily a rural community. You'll find open farmland, rolling forested hills and several lakes. Prior Park provides camping facilities; Beaumont Marine Park does likewise for boaters. Parks include the Southern Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (Pender unit), CRD parks and local community parks. Trails cross Mt. Norman and Mt. Elizabeth Park. Trails can also be found in Magic Lake Estates, at Mt. George, Mt. Menzies and Oak Bluffs. Signs mark the many accesses to beaches and scenic viewpoints around the islands.

Opportunities for recreational activities abound: there's an 9-hole golf course near Otter Bay, a 27-pin disc-golf course in Magic Lake Estates, swimming pools at the marinas, kayak-rentals and guided fishing. Also available are several tennis courts, a ball diamond and several children's playgrounds. Maps and brochures showing the various amenities of Pender Island are available at the National Parks office and many island businesses .

As you'll notice on the "Events" page of this website, Pender does not lack for activities! The island has about 80 clubs and groups doing just about anything you can imagine. The "Users Group" page lists some of the groups and their contacts.