Pender Island is a beautiful spot on the Pacific Coast in British Columbia. It’s part of the Southern Gulf Islands. You can reach it by a short 40-minute ferry ride from Sidney, BC. It’s close enough to Vancouver Island and Vancouver for a quick weekend trip, but also remote enough to give you a break from daily routines.
Pender Island is not just one, but two islands - North Pender and South Pender. A slim canal separates the two, but you can cross it with a one-lane bridge.
Lots of tourists love Pender Island. It’s a great place for outdoor lovers. You can cycle, hike, kayak, fish, and sail. There’s always something exciting to do. But, if you prefer to take it slow, there’s no shortage of shops, restaurants, and art galleries to check out.
Camping on Pender Island has limited spots. During the summer, these can be reserved weeks or even months ahead. So, if you’re planning a camping trip, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and book your spot as early as you can.
Prior Centennial Campground is a great camping spot on North Pender Island. It’s only a ten-minute drive from the Otter Bay Ferry Terminal. As a part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, this campground is surrounded by trees. It has 17 drive-in sites that are perfect for tents or small campers.
Amenities at Prior Centennial Campground Include:
You can camp at Prior Centennial Campground every year from May 15th to September 30th. To book a spot, visit reservations.pc.gc.ca.
You’ll find Prior Centennial Campground at 5714 Canal Rd on North Pender Island. To get there from the Otter Bay Ferry Terminal, take Otter Bay Road until you see a stop sign across from the Community Hall. Then, turn right onto Bedwell Harbour Road. Continue on this road past the main shopping area. Soon after, you’ll see Prior Centennial Park on your right. It’s just past the Woods on Pender.
Learn More: Prior Centennial Campground - Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Port Browning Marina is a gorgeous spot on Pender Island. It’s where my family used to camp every year when I was a kid. This place is in a protected harbour and has a lot of fun things to do. There’s a restaurant, pub, marina, store, swimming pool, and ocean front camping. It has plenty of space for you and your friends to camp for a super fun weekend trip.
Amenities at Port Browning Marina include:
Port Browning Marina is at 4605 Oak Rd. It’s just a quick drive from Otter Bay Ferry Terminal. To get there, take Otter Bay Road until you reach a stop sign across from the Community Hall. Then, turn right onto Bedwell Harbour Road. Keep going on this road past the main shopping area. Take the next left to get to Port Browning. Follow Oak Road downhill and turn left into the parking lot. Port Browning even offers a shuttle service to and from the ferry terminal. But, make sure to book it in advance.
Learn More: Port Browning Marina Resort Camping
Shingle Bay Campground is a lovely camping place on Pender Island. It’s only 10 minutes away from the Otter Bay Ferry Terminal. The campground is right on a gravel beach and has 10 walk-in campsites. It’s perfect for kayakers, hikers, or anyone who loves nature. One great thing to do nearby is to hike to Roe Lake.
The Shingle Bay Campground is open from May 15 to September 30. The campsites have picnic tables and simple toilets. You can reach them by water, which is great for kayakers, or by a hiking trail. There’s no drinkable water here, but there’s overnight parking at the end of Shingle Bay Road for drive-in campers.
Amenities at Shingle Bay Campground include:
Remember, the camping spots are only accessible by foot. From the parking spot at the end of Shingle Bay Road, you’ll need to walk 0.24 km downhill to reach the campsites.
Coming from the Otter Bay Ferry Terminal, follow Otter Bay Road until you see South Otter Bay Road on your right. Turn onto S Otter Bay Rd and go until you reach Shingle Bay Rd, then turn left. Go for another 500m, and you’ll find the parking spot for the campground.
Learn More: Shingle Bay Backcountry Camping
Beaumont Marine Park is located on South Pender Island. As part of the Gulf Island National Park Reserve, this backcountry campground is only accessible via water or by hiking trail. The park is open year-round but is not regularly maintained from October 1 – May 14.
Amenities at Beaumont Marine Park include:
Beaumont Marine Park is located on South Pender Island adjacent to Mt. Norman. It can be accessed via hiking trails or by boat. It’s just a short five-minute paddle from Poets Cove Marine if you’re lucky enough to have access to a kayak.
Hike in From Canal Road: This trailhead offers parking. The difficulty of the trail is rated as “Advanced” and is 2.13 km. This should take you around two hours. Begin your hike by hiking up Mount Norman, then continue down the path toward Ainslie Point.
Hike in From Ainslie Point Road: There is no parking available at this trailhead, so plan accordingly. The distance is 1.6 km and should take about 1 hour. This hike is also rated as “Advanced.” Once on the trail, just follow the signs to Beaumont.
Learn More: Beaumont Marine Park - Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
During the 2022 session, only daytime use of the park was permitted, with camping and mooring buoys closed to overnight visitors. Hopefully, this changes soon, as this is one of the most beautiful camping spots on the Southern Gulf Islands. Be sure to check out the Parks Canada Backcountry Camping Information Page for up-to-date information.
The Woods on Pender offers an ideal place to enjoy the outdoors without straying too far from the comforts of home. With unique whimsical accommodations, there is something for everyone. Choose from an Airstream camper, rustic cabins or the Woods Motel for an unforgettable family experience or romantic getaway miles from the ordinary.
Amenities at the Woods On Pender include:
The Woods on Pender at 4709 Canal Road on North Pender Island. From Otter Bay Ferry Terminal. Follow Otter Bay Road until you reach the stop sign across from the Community Hall. Turn right onto Bedwell Harbour Road and follow this along until you pass the main shopping complex. Just a short distance from here, the Woods on Pender will be on your right-hand side. If you hit Prior Centennial, you’ve got too far.
Learn More: Woods on Pender - Glamping Resort + Motel
The most popular way to get to Pender Island is via BC Ferries. There are daily sailing from Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (Vancouver Island) to Otter Bay Terminal on Pender.
Learn More: BC Ferries - Southern Gulf Islands
Some visitors choose to fly to Pender Island via floatplane. There are a few float companies that can get you there, which is a scenic and beautiful way to experience the Gulf Islands. Floatplanes typically land at Port Washington on North Pender Island.
Learn More: Seair Seaplanes With Service to Pender Island
Because of the remote nature of Pender, most visitors will want to bring a vehicle to get around. Cycling is another popular option, but it is not recommended for the beginner. The roads are narrow and winding with a lot of hills and can be quite dangerous if you don’t ride defensively.
Another option unique to Pender is Car Stops. Think of it like legal hitchhiking, and this mode of ride-sharing is encouraged to provide a more economical means of travel on Pender. There are signs located throughout the island where you can wait for a ride from a friendly stranger. Drivers don’t have to take the first in line. You’re not obliged to accept a ride, that’s fine. You accept a ride at your own risk. But the ride is free so consider it a gift.
When I lived on Pender, one of my favourite activities was hiking. In this post, I’ll highlight the best Pender Island hikes for both beginners and seasoned adventurers.
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