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| Before 1902, North and South Pender were just one. In that year, a canal was dredged to allow for easy access for boats between Bedwell Harbour and Browning Harbour. In fact, it wasn't until 1955 when a one-lane bridge was constructed to rejoin the two islands that one could get from one to the other without a boat. |
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A cairn on the north end of the bridge marks the site of an archaeological dig that dates First Nations occupations back 6,000 years. This area was called "helisen" by the Coast Salish, which means "lying between". The Coast Salish people hunted and fished around Pender Island and there are middens on both islands that speak of their presence.
Permanent settlement of the islands began with small sheep farms in the 1800s. By the 1900s, the island community had grown large enough to warrant a government wharf, a post office, and ferry service from Sidney, on Vancouver Island. |
| The ecosystems and environment of the Penders (as the two islands are often called by locals) are protected under the Islands Trust, the local government agency responsible for land-use planning for the islands and waters in the Strait of Georgia and Howe Sound. The Islands Trust Policy Statement was developed in support of the Trust’s legislated object: “to preserve and protect the Trust Area and its unique amenities and environment for the benefit of residents of the Trust Area and of the Province generally…” | ) |
| Nestled along the ferry route from Vancouver to Victoria, these islands offer an escape from the rush of city life. This is a peaceful, slower-paced lifestyle than that in the cities. The southern-most of these islands, including North and South Pender, mimic a temperate Mediterranean-like climate. With numerous parks and public beaches, these friendly rural islands have become an attractive vacation spot for families, romantic escapes, seminars and retreats. |
| The Southern Gulf Islands have more sunshine and less rain than Vancouver, with a soft, amiable climate year-round. There are kilometers and kilometers (or miles and miles) of magnificent shoreline and beaches, flowery meadows, acres of forest and sunsets that may leave you breathless. Birds and mammals abound: eagles, heros, vultures and hawks, deer, otters and seals and to the delight of all, pods of orcas swim near their shores. To the visitor on the run from the urban rat race, the islands are a snippet of paradise. | ) |
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Most of the two islands’s ca. 2000 permanent residents live on North Pender Island. From May to October residents and visitors can shop for local produce and arts and crafts at North Pender's popular Farmers Institute market at the Community Centre on Bedwell Harbour Road. In the Summer, boats entering Canada may clear Customs on South Pender at Bedwell Harbour. Moorage is available for boaters at Port Browning, Otter Bay, and Bedwell Harbour. |
| The mild climate and pristine wilderness make North and South Pender Islands perfect for family holidays, romantic retreats, golfing, hiking, biking, kayaking and nature watching. Beaumont Provincial Marine Park, nestled below the bluffs of Mt Norman, is one of the most popular marine parks in the Gulf Islands. |
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One of the best beaches on the Penders is at Mortimer Spit, close to the canal between the two islands. Hamilton Beach at Port Browning, while more crowded than Mortimer Spit is warmer and popular with the locals.. |
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If you take the time to travel to the very end of South Pender Island, there is a beautiful, seldom visited small pebble beach at Gowlland Point Park. As you look due south, you can see magnificent Mount Baker and the American San Juan Islands and to the east Saturna Island’s Monarch Head. Frequently, between May and October there is an excellent chance that one will see a pod or two of orcas (killer whales) cruising the waters along that coast.
Another viewpoint worth the hike is on South Pender Island. Mt Norman dominates the southern half of the twin islands, forcing traffic to divert around its northern flanks. On top of the Mt Norman trail (a straight-up but fairly short climb), there’s an observation platform with a wooden bench on which to rest while you get out your binoculars. The expansive and magnificent views from Mt Norman are directly west over Bedwell Harbour towards Salt Spring Island, Victoria and southern Vancouver Island and south across Boundary Pass into Washington. The viewpoint on the east side of Mt. Norman exposes the sun-weathered flanks of Saturna Island and beyond to Vancouver and the British Columbia-Washington mainland. North and South Pender Island amenities and activities include:
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