North and South Pender Island BC Canada: A small island paradise with fantastic views from Mount Norman, Mt. Menzies and Mt. George looking out over the surrounding Gulf Islands and the Vancouver Island mainland. North Pender Island is the more populated and the commercial section while south is more rural... both islands connected by the Canal Road wooden bridge. A bridge right out of an old picture book.

The country setting is spectacular while exploring the narrow coastal roads on the island tunneling through forests of Douglas Fir and leaning, twisted Arbutus Trees connecting North and South Pender Island. The island is 34 square kilometres of rocky cliffs, forested parks, scenic drives and ocean beaches enjoyed year round by about 2000+ permanent residences.

Pender Island is a haven for many marine enthusiasts because of the many bays and coves like Camp Bay, Bedwell Harbour, Port Browning, Shingle Bay, Irene Bay, Otter Bay, Clam Bay and Hope Bay.. all ideal for exploring while kayaking, boating and sailing. Pender Island BC Canada draws all kinds of outdoor people interested in water sports, hiking, scuba diving, fishing, biking and beach combing.

Some areas are not accessible on foot because the island coastline is protected by sheer rock cliffs holding back the pounding waves... while in other areas walking trails lead to ocean and beach access points. Pender Island BC beaches are scenic, covered in driftwood and coloured in seashells. With so many beach access points on the island it would not be difficult to find your own private beach on this Gulf Island Paradise.

Pender is located off the coastline of Southern Vancouver Island, next to Salt Spring Island and west of Galiano and Saturna Islands. Like many of Canada's Gulf Islands, many of the residence on Pender Island BC are artistic because of the creative freedoms people enjoy living on the Gulf Islands. The atmosphere of this artistic community offers many artists a haven filled with tranquility, comfort, and relaxation often leaving no choice to the artist but to let the creative juices flow.

How to Get to Pender Island: Only accessed by motor boats, sail boats, float planes or by traveling on a BC Ferry which transports foot passengers, bikes and vehicles. There are a few BC Ferry routes accessing Pender from Vancouver Island and the other Gulf Islands. Please check ferry schedule.

From Victoria drive north over the Malahat to towards Crofton and Duncan BC. It is a 75 km (46 mi) trip from Victoria BC on Hwy #1 to Crofton BC. From there it is a 35 minute BC Ferry trip over to Vesuvius Bay and Salt Spring Island. From Vesuvius Bay enjoy the short drive to Salt Spring's Long Harbour where a (45 min) BC Ferry trip takes you over to Pender Island's Otter Bay BC Ferry Terminal.

From Vancouver on the mainland go to the BC Ferries Tsawwassen Terminal and a BC Ferry will take you to Pender. It takes 75-120 minutes depending if it has any stops at Galiano or Mayne Islands.

From Sidney BC Ferries Swartz Bay Terminal, north of Victoria, to the Otter Bay Terminal is about 40-120 minutes sailing time depending on any scheduled stops the BC Ferry makes at any of the surrounding Gulf Islands during the route. Please make sure you check the BC Ferry schedule prior to making a trip. There are also chartered float plane transportation available.