Joann's Guidebook
Food & Drink Scene
A 22 minute walk from The Salty Goose. A great spot for lunch, dinner or just to grab an icecream cone and go for a walk along the beach. Go swimming in the ocean or pool, or try to find a couple geocaches. Bring your discs and practice your throw on their putting disc golf baskets.
42 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Port Browning Marina Resort
4605 Oak RdA 22 minute walk from The Salty Goose. A great spot for lunch, dinner or just to grab an icecream cone and go for a walk along the beach. Go swimming in the ocean or pool, or try to find a couple geocaches. Bring your discs and practice your throw on their putting disc golf baskets.
Good food with a view on South Pender Island.
Be aware that South Pender is having construction done for all of 2024 and the road will be closed from 10am until 2pm Monday thru Saturday. From 2pm-6pm (M-S) it will be closed for 15 minute periods. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.
20 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Poets Cove Resort & Spa
9801 Spalding RdGood food with a view on South Pender Island.
Be aware that South Pender is having construction done for all of 2024 and the road will be closed from 10am until 2pm Monday thru Saturday. From 2pm-6pm (M-S) it will be closed for 15 minute periods. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.
35 minute walk up the hill from The Salty Goose. They have a great outdoor area and sometimes have the TRUSS food truck there.
34 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Sea Star Estate Farm and Vineyards
6621 Harbour Hill Dr35 minute walk up the hill from The Salty Goose. They have a great outdoor area and sometimes have the TRUSS food truck there.
Apples grown on Pender and only an 8 minute walk from The Salty Goose!
6 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Twin Island Cider
5601 Lupin RoadApples grown on Pender and only an 8 minute walk from The Salty Goose!
Excellent chocolates here! Grab a coffee and walk the marina.
9 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Pender Chocolates
4301 Bedwell Harbour RdExcellent chocolates here! Grab a coffee and walk the marina.
Yum. Located beside Jo's, only a 15 minute walk from The Salty Goose. Get your coffee, smoothies and baked goods here. They even have breakfast wraps and excellent sandwiches. (The pesto chicken with bacon is my fav!) This is probably my fav place on Pender.
11 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Vanilla Leaf Bakery Café
4605 Bedwell Harbour RdYum. Located beside Jo's, only a 15 minute walk from The Salty Goose. Get your coffee, smoothies and baked goods here. They even have breakfast wraps and excellent sandwiches. (The pesto chicken with bacon is my fav!) This is probably my fav place on Pender.
A great coffee spot that serves crepes/dosas and other small baked goods. Sit around the back with the locals or head down to medicine beach sanctuary and find a log to sit on.
11 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Slow Coast Coffee
5827 Schooner WayA great coffee spot that serves crepes/dosas and other small baked goods. Sit around the back with the locals or head down to medicine beach sanctuary and find a log to sit on.
Neat little spot tucked in next door to the liquor store. They have excellent grab and go meals and are open late. Grab a meal and take it over to the bird sanctuary at Medicine Beach.
Truss Farm Food
5827 Schooner WayNeat little spot tucked in next door to the liquor store. They have excellent grab and go meals and are open late. Grab a meal and take it over to the bird sanctuary at Medicine Beach.
Delicious baked goods and coffees are served here. Make a reservation if you'd like to enjoy their weekend dinner service!
8 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
WOODS on Pender
4709 Canal RdDelicious baked goods and coffees are served here. Make a reservation if you'd like to enjoy their weekend dinner service!
My favourite shop on the island.. Amanda makes some fantastic ready to go meals here. The store also contains a phenomenal selection of international ingredients. A fantastic spot for the foodie at heart.
(There's also the Port Washington food truck located beside it, open for lunch!)
7 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
SOUTHRIDGE FARMS COUNTRY STORE
3327 Port Washington RdMy favourite shop on the island.. Amanda makes some fantastic ready to go meals here. The store also contains a phenomenal selection of international ingredients. A fantastic spot for the foodie at heart.
(There's also the Port Washington food truck located beside it, open for lunch!)
Pender's newest spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They have great benny's for breakfast and delicious pizzas for dinner.
Copper Otter Bar and Grill
Pender's newest spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. They have great benny's for breakfast and delicious pizzas for dinner.
Activities & Shopping
27 holes of disc golf. Often has loaner discs at the beginning of the course you can borrow. Or you can buy your own at the Pender Island pharmacy. This park was rated #17 in the entire world. Highly recommend! Make sure to wear good shoes.
7 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Golf Island Disc Park
37162-37170 Galleon Way27 holes of disc golf. Often has loaner discs at the beginning of the course you can borrow. Or you can buy your own at the Pender Island pharmacy. This park was rated #17 in the entire world. Highly recommend! Make sure to wear good shoes.
Located at the Community Hall, this is a fantastic spot to pick up some veggies, baked goods, or artisanal crafts to remember your stay on Pender.
Make sure to try Pierre's goodies! The line is long, but always worth it.
Open 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.
Farmer's Market on Pender Island
4418 Bedwell Harbour RdLocated at the Community Hall, this is a fantastic spot to pick up some veggies, baked goods, or artisanal crafts to remember your stay on Pender.
Make sure to try Pierre's goodies! The line is long, but always worth it.
Open 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.
"One of B.C.’s most beautiful 9 hole public golf courses. This Gulf Island Jewel offers four elevated tee boxes and affords expansive views of the challenging golf shots that lie ahead. The course is deceptively challenging, with 6 separate tees for the back nine, yet it is a great recreation destination course for all abilities."
32 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Pender Island Golf & Country Club
2305 Otter Bay Rd"One of B.C.’s most beautiful 9 hole public golf courses. This Gulf Island Jewel offers four elevated tee boxes and affords expansive views of the challenging golf shots that lie ahead. The course is deceptively challenging, with 6 separate tees for the back nine, yet it is a great recreation destination course for all abilities."
The islands favourite store! A thrift shop often with fun finds. It is volunteer run and only open from 10am - 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Be prepared to wait outside in line in the mornings.
Ps. I volunteer here a few times a month, come say hi!
Nu-To-Yu Store
4409 Bedwell Harbour RdThe islands favourite store! A thrift shop often with fun finds. It is volunteer run and only open from 10am - 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Be prepared to wait outside in line in the mornings.
Ps. I volunteer here a few times a month, come say hi!
If you like history head over to the Pender Island Museum. It also has some fantastic hikes in the surrounding area! (Just be careful about tides as you can get stuck on the Roesland inlet).
Pender Islands Museum
2408 2408 South Otter Bay Road RR 1If you like history head over to the Pender Island Museum. It also has some fantastic hikes in the surrounding area! (Just be careful about tides as you can get stuck on the Roesland inlet).
A little HUB filled with small shops, art galleries and more. Always fun to pop by and take in the ocean breeze.
21 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Hope Bay
A little HUB filled with small shops, art galleries and more. Always fun to pop by and take in the ocean breeze.
The Gallery at Ptarmigan Arts
3-4301 Bedwell Harbour RdGreat little art gallery filled local artists work.
Another fantastic art gallery, this one is located on South Pender Island. Be prepared for some winding narrow roads on your drive there.
Blood Star Gallery
9909 Jennens RdAnother fantastic art gallery, this one is located on South Pender Island. Be prepared for some winding narrow roads on your drive there.
Cute shop with all your pet and gardening needs! They often carry fresh cut flowers as well.
Pender Petals & Paws
4605 Bedwell Harbour RoadCute shop with all your pet and gardening needs! They often carry fresh cut flowers as well.
A cute shop that does it all! They sell consignment clothing, they carry artwork from locals, they even have a little hair studio set up inside.
This is also where you find "Looking To Sea" - Pender's only eco-tourism Kayaking company! Let the owner, Joel, know that you're staying at my place and he will hook you up right!
Studio B Collective
A cute shop that does it all! They sell consignment clothing, they carry artwork from locals, they even have a little hair studio set up inside.
This is also where you find "Looking To Sea" - Pender's only eco-tourism Kayaking company! Let the owner, Joel, know that you're staying at my place and he will hook you up right!
Hikes
The Mount Norman hike leads to spectacular views of the SouthWest side of Pender Island, Vancouver Island, and the farther off Olympic Mountains. The hike up is about 30-50 minutes depending on your athleticism, be prepared, it is steep in parts.
34 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Mount Norman
The Mount Norman hike leads to spectacular views of the SouthWest side of Pender Island, Vancouver Island, and the farther off Olympic Mountains. The hike up is about 30-50 minutes depending on your athleticism, be prepared, it is steep in parts.
Just a short hike (about 15 minutes) with breath taking views. Pack a picnic and spend some time there, if you're lucky you may see some whales pass by! This is my number 1 viewpoint - if you aren't much of a hiker, or don't have a lot of time, this one is 100% worth it!
Oaks Bluff Viewpoint
6221 Pirates RdJust a short hike (about 15 minutes) with breath taking views. Pack a picnic and spend some time there, if you're lucky you may see some whales pass by! This is my number 1 viewpoint - if you aren't much of a hiker, or don't have a lot of time, this one is 100% worth it!
This is my favourite spot to watch the whales go by. There are picnic tables set at the tip of the inlet. Let me know if you're interested in seeing whales by the shoreline and I can send a message if any are spotted during your stay.
14 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Thieves Bay Marina
Anchor WayThis is my favourite spot to watch the whales go by. There are picnic tables set at the tip of the inlet. Let me know if you're interested in seeing whales by the shoreline and I can send a message if any are spotted during your stay.
George Hill
A quick steep hike with beautiful views.
Swim Spots
A pebbled beach with easy access into the water! Just use caution while driving over the famous single lane bridge (that connects North Pender to South Pender).
Best time of day to go for the warmest water is 1 hour before full tide.
7 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Mortimer Spit Park
Mortimer Spit RoadA pebbled beach with easy access into the water! Just use caution while driving over the famous single lane bridge (that connects North Pender to South Pender).
Best time of day to go for the warmest water is 1 hour before full tide.
There is a public dock here you can go swimming off of. Very warm water in the summer months and not too deep. Stay away from the edges as there are leeches.
14 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Magic Lake
There is a public dock here you can go swimming off of. Very warm water in the summer months and not too deep. Stay away from the edges as there are leeches.
Medicine Beach Nature Sanctuary
Great for a swim at high tide.
Locals like to go for a swim here. Not much of a beach, just an excellent spot to jump off the rocks. This is also a great location to see whales passing by. Limited parking here, only 1 or 2 spots near the mailboxes.
Boat Nook
2705 Yawl LnLocals like to go for a swim here. Not much of a beach, just an excellent spot to jump off the rocks. This is also a great location to see whales passing by. Limited parking here, only 1 or 2 spots near the mailboxes.
The Necessities
Medicine Beach Liquor Store
5827 Schooner WayThe larger liquor store on the island.
1 of 2 grocery stores on the island. Definitely get all your necessities here!
14 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
Tru Value Foods
4605 Bedwell Harbour Rd1 of 2 grocery stores on the island. Definitely get all your necessities here!
Great store for picking up hard to find grocery items. Definitely pop by here and you'll be surprised at what you find.
There is also a food truck located beside it!
7 personas del lugar lo recomiendan
SOUTHRIDGE FARMS COUNTRY STORE
3327 Port Washington RdGreat store for picking up hard to find grocery items. Definitely pop by here and you'll be surprised at what you find.
There is also a food truck located beside it!
Liquor Distribution Branch
4605 Bedwell Harbour RdCentrally located in the Driftwood center our local BCL.
Has everything you need in one spot. Disc Golf discs, candy, games, toys, swim wear etc.
Pender Island Pharmacy Ltd
4605 Bedwell Harbour RoadHas everything you need in one spot. Disc Golf discs, candy, games, toys, swim wear etc.
Essentially a home hardware stuffed full of neat housewares, plants, gardening supplies and construction materials.
Pender Island Home Building Centre
R. R. #1Essentially a home hardware stuffed full of neat housewares, plants, gardening supplies and construction materials.
Farmstands around Pender
This is one of my favourite honour stands where you can grab vegetables, homemade hot sauce, preserved lemons, sauerkraut, or vegan icecream bars! What's inside is constantly changing, make sure to check it out and bring cash!
The Fridge of Wonders
2627 Yardarm RoadThis is one of my favourite honour stands where you can grab vegetables, homemade hot sauce, preserved lemons, sauerkraut, or vegan icecream bars! What's inside is constantly changing, make sure to check it out and bring cash!
Just around the corner from The Fridge of Wonders! Filled every other week on Saturdays, both vegan and regular cheesecake with many different flavours. You can also sometimes find other goodies in it like homemade chocolate peanut butter cups.
**A second location has opened up near Oaks Bluff. Make sure to hit it up if you're heading that way! It is on google maps*
The Cheesecake Fridge
4882 Pirates RoadJust around the corner from The Fridge of Wonders! Filled every other week on Saturdays, both vegan and regular cheesecake with many different flavours. You can also sometimes find other goodies in it like homemade chocolate peanut butter cups.
**A second location has opened up near Oaks Bluff. Make sure to hit it up if you're heading that way! It is on google maps*
Fantastic Norwegian baked goods can be found here. They stock on Wednesdays and Sundays, don't miss out!
Øya Butikk
3748 Privateers RoadFantastic Norwegian baked goods can be found here. They stock on Wednesdays and Sundays, don't miss out!
Often stocked up with fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers or seedlings. It's on the way, so why not stop and take a peek! Don't forget to bring cash.
Ohana Farms
Often stocked up with fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers or seedlings. It's on the way, so why not stop and take a peek! Don't forget to bring cash.
Consejos sobre la ciudad
Reservá antes de viajar...
Ferry Reservation
Book your ferry in advance as they do fill up! Reservations will give you a peace of mind during your trip to/from Pender Island (Otter Bay).
*Reservations from Swartz Bay to Otter Bay and back are not available at this time. I would advise being at the ferry terminal 60-90 minutes early to ensure you get on your desired sailing time.
Cómo moverse
Aqualink
Try using aqualink to visit other gulf islands for day trips.
http://aqualink.ca
Cómo moverse
South Pender Closures
The road to South Pender will be experiencing closures just after the entrance to Mount Norman for all of 2024. Monday to Saturday from 10am-2pm it will be completely CLOSED and you will not be able to pass at all. From 2pm-6pm it will be closed for 15 minute increments. And after 6pm it will be completely open. If you have any questions please reach out, I'm happy to help.