Originally a single island, North and South Pender islands were separated in the early 1900s by a canal dredged to enable quicker, calmer ferry runs to Victoria. Today, as at the turn of the century, the two islands are linked by a narrow one-lane bridge.

South Pender is the more rural and less populated of the two islands. Hosting the spectacular Poets Cove Resort & Spa — the seaplane gateway to both islands — as well as two popular hiking trails, one leading up to the splendid views from Mt. Norman, and the other following the canal to the white-shell beaches and arbutus headlands of Beaumont Marine Park, a unit of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.

North Pender Island, with several small communities, has by far the larger population. There, visitors will find a variety of accommodations and restaurants, the Driftwood Mall shopping center, and historic Port Washington and Hope Bay, with their government docks and heritage store. Penderites are well-known for their community theater, arts activities, and unique island-grown festivals.

For more information about North & South Pender Islands, visit the Pender Island Chamber of Commerce.

Kenmore Air seaplane service to Poets Cove Resort & Spa in Bedwell Harbour on South Pender Island resumes April 1, 2010, with one flight a day on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Service becomes daily beginning May 1. Flights are currently available for booking — select "Bedwell Harbour/Poets Cove" from the dropdown menu.

2010 schedule & fares

Charter service to Pender Island is available year-round.