Pender Island BC – Canada’s Quiet Island Getaway

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The west coast of southern British Columbia is peppered with hundreds of islands. There are the well-known and more heavily populated islands, tiny uninhabited islands, and everything in between. Pender Island BC is a hidden gem – one of the Gulf Islands only a short ferry ride from Vancouver.

Unlike neighboring Vancouver Island or Saltspring Island, it’s far less busy. Take some time to really rest and recharge on this beautiful island with a much more relaxed vibe.

What is it like on Pender Island BC?

Pender Island is often overshadowed by its more popular (and more populated) neighbors, Salt Spring and Galiano. And that’s OK, because it makes this a wonderfully quiet getaway with a slow paced lifestyle that will leave you itching to pack up and move to a cabin in the woods here. But before you do, there are probably a few things you should know.

Water

Most local inhabitants have a well that supplies water to them. Often water from the tap is not drinkable so check with your accommodation before doing so. The grocery has supplies of water if you need it.

Power

Outages on Pender Island are common so a lot of properties have generators. If there’s inclement weather you might have to reach for the candles and talk to each other instead of spending time on your phone.

Getting around

With no bus services on Pender Island there are three main transportation options:

1. Drive – Bring your car to the island via the ferry, it’s the easiest way to get around;
2. Cycle – Be more environmentally conscious and bring your bike to the island. Just be careful as some roads are narrow, so ride single file – and be prepared for a hill or two;
3. Ride share – There’s no Uber, but you can legally hitchhike for free with friendly locals. There are stops around the island identified with a green sign. Simply say where you’re going and agree to the ride – people don’t have to stop, and you can refuse a ride.

Where to stay on Pender Island BC

A weekend is the perfect amount of time on Pender Island. Find a quiet cabin in the woods, or stay at the fancier Poet’s Cove Resort on the south island.

For a more unique place to stay there’s the pimped out trailers at WOODS on Pender – complete with hot tubs and an on-site restaurant.

Or if you’re around the Browning Marina there are a few yurts with epic ocean views. Either way, you’ll enjoy the peace and quiet of a nature-filled stay on Pender Island.

Other top tips for your Pender Island BC getaway

Self-catering? Bring some essentials with you. The one grocery store in the island is usually stocked, but prices are more than on the mainland and if you’re looking for specific items you might be out of luck.

Get used to island time and don’t be in a rush to get anywhere. Locals are pretty chilled out and the island is home to a lot of retired individuals or long-term island dwellers. This is a great opportunity to leave the city behind and take things slow.

If you’re looking for lots of shop and restaurant choices you may be disappointed. There are a couple of stores on the island and a few eateries, but by no means the assortment you’ll have on the mainland.

A weekend on Pender Island BC

Prepare for the most relaxing weekend getaway from Vancouver, at the absolutely stunning Pender Island, one of the Southern Gulf Islands. But what exactly can you do here? And how can you make the most of a short trip?

Day 1

Take a mid-afternoon ferry from Tsawwassen to Otter Bay on Pender Island. The ferry is part of the experience, so get a great seat or wander the outside decks – and keep an eye out for marine wildlife such as whales and dolphins.

Check into your accommodation for the weekend, then head out to the restaurant at WOODS on Pender for incredible pizzas and the best cocktails on the island. This casual eatery with rustic charm is part of Pender Island’s most unique accommodations so if you don’t want to stumble too far to get home for the night this is a great place to stay.

After dinner, take an evening walk to Medicine Beach Sanctuary with it’s incredible water views and maybe a sunset if you’re lucky. Finally retreat to your cozy accommodations and kick back with a book or family game night.

Day 2

MORNING

Start your day off right with breakfast at the Vanilla Leaf Bakery Café. Grab a handmade muffin, pastry or a breakfast sandwich depending on how hungry you are. I recommend grabbing a sandwich for a light lunch later. There are lots of flavorful choices here, and it’s all freshly made on site.

Peruse the limited offerings of the Driftwood Centre mall and support one of the local stores. Talisman Books is well stocked for the perfect vacation read, and also sells local crafts and artwork.

While you’re in the area, head to the Pender Islands Community Hall. If there’s anything going on this weekend it will be here. Saturdays in the summer months host local bakers and artisans at the Pender Island farmer’s market where you can also buy farm fresh produce and eggs.

Even if the market isn’t on, check out the hand carved native art totem poles at the entrance to the community center. Created by local women under the tutelage of aboriginal artist Victor Reece they are really impressive.

AFTERNOON

Between the café and the farmers market you’ll be stocked for lunch. Take your goodies to Thieves Bay and finding a picnic table while you watch the ocean waves roll by. Keep an eye out for passing pods of orcas or humpback whales. They often swim by Pender Island in the summer and it’s a real treat to see them.

On your way back, make a quick stop at Magic Lake, and then on to Pender Island Kayak Adventures at Port Browning Marina. Pick up a kayak or paddle board and get out on the water that surrounds Pender Island for a couple of hours.

For a quick but beautiful loop keep to the right exiting the harbor, hugging the coastline while watching out for wildlife. Otters and mink often run along the shoreline, and eagles or turkey vultures soar above. Cross the harbor opposite Mortimer Spit Park and make your way along the other coast back to the rental place.

Along here you can observe some of the opulent waterfront properties and harbor seals sunbathing on the larger rocks just off shore.

For an alternate to kayaking, there’s plenty of hiking such as the Beaumont Trail or Mount Norman Trail. Both with excellent viewpoints. There aren’t long multi-day hikes like the Sunshine Coast Trail further up the BC Coast, but they are good day hikes with really nice views.

EVENING

You’ve probably worked up an appetite at this point. So it’s fortunate that you end your kayaking experience at Browning’s Pub. Grab a pint of BC beer and order way more food than you need from the plentiful choices on the menu.

After dinner you can wander along the marina then head back to your accommodation. Take the opportunity to sit out on your patio with a glass of wine and a book as you take in a west coast sunset that will make all your friends envious.

Day 3

MORNING

Have a leisurely breakfast at your accommodation, or head to Jo’s Place if you prefer to eat out. Take a drive to Brooks Point Regional Park at the far end of South Pender Island. It’s a serene place for an earlier morning walk with some spectacular views. Walk along the beach then up along the the cliff edges. Gaze down into the clearest water you might ever have seen, and out to sea in every which direction.

Make your way back across the island to Golf Island Disc Park (see what they did there, since this is one of the Gulf islands). It seems like a strange spot for one of the top Disc Golf courses in North America, but it’s an epic course if you’re into disc golf. Pro Tip: The course is free, but you do need to bring your own discs which are sold around the island. If you want to play, make sure you pick them up first.

AFTERNOON

Time to refuel after all this outdoor time. It’s only a 15-minute drive to the ferry terminal at Otter Bay but close by is the fantastic Pescelino Pizza. They don’t open until 1pm (closed Monday) so you’ve got time for your fun morning activities. Enjoy a nice late lunch with some authentic and delicious pizza.

After lunch, get to the ferry terminal in time for your mid-afternoon ferry back to Vancouver. Ferries also leave to Vancouver Island if you plan on spending some time in Victoria on your vacation. Sit back and relax on the ferry back to the mainland, and take in some more of that fresh west coast air.

Planning your Pender Island BC Getaway

With so many things to do outdoors, you don’t need to plan every minute of your Pender Island BC getaway. Hike a trail, go kayaking, visit the lake, a beach or a secluded cove. Time moves slowly on Pender Island, just let it happen and enjoy your time away from the big city.

Self catering or Airbnb-style vacation rentals are the best way to really get the full island life experience. Some outdoor space, a kitchen or cooking facilities, and a cozy chair or two for those cooler evenings.

Pender Island BC is a lovely place to visit in summer, but it can be just as nice on a crisp winter day, or for a cozy fall vacation. It might be a different place than you’re used to, but it’s a special place and a must-visit island in Canada.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you visited Pender Island BC? Are you a fan of quiet island getaways?