Pender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands known for its excellent collection of beaches, parks and stunning coastal landscape. Pender Island is split into North Pender and South Pender which are both connected by a single-lane bridge still operational today. While North Pender is the more densely-populated of the two with more amenities, South Pender is still popular with locals and visitors with its beautiful unspoilt natural opportunities.
There is a wide range of exciting outdoor activities to engage in on Pender Island including many water-based sports such as kayaking. Exploring the natural landscape is another favourite with visitors, as the island offers many beautiful parks and stretches of coastline looking out over the ocean, and camping out in the wilderness is a great way to enjoy the serene atmosphere of Pender Island. The island also offers a lot in terms of dining, hotels and spas which makes for the perfect blend of nature and civilisation.
Getting between the two islands of North and South Pender is possible through the single-lane bridge which has been operational since 1955. Getting onto Pender Island is possible either by public or private ferry service in addition to float planes. A ferry service runs from Vancouver Island to Otter Bay on North Pender, or there are numerous private water taxi companies available offering passage onto the island. Visitors arriving by plane to the region will find Vancouver International Airport is an ideal place to arrive due to its close proximity to Pender Island.
Pender Island has a permanent population of roughly 2,250 residents, although this number rises significantly during the popular tourism months. European explorers first made contact with the island in 1791, although the first permanent settlers did not arrive on the island until 1886. The island is a part of the larger Gulf Islands National Park Reserve which covers an area of 15 different islands in the region.