Vancouver Island Yacht Charters

Pender Island is definitely worth a visit if you are on a Vancouver yacht charter, not just for the rich history of the Islands, but for the great sailing and beautiful scenery surrounding you and the many activities to do onshore. It is known for being one of the most friendly of the Gulf Islands, so you will be guaranteed a warm welcome.

About Pender Island

Pender Island consists of two islands; North and South Pender, but this was only from the early 1900’s when two islands were created when a canal was dredged to allow access between Bedwell Harbour and Port Browning. In 1955 the islands were drawn together again with the construction of a bridge to give access between North and South island.

The Islands have a population of more than 2,500 people, the locals are often referred to as ‘Penders’. There are many services on offer, such as, a bank, grocery stores, pub and a bakery as well as a thriving farmers’ market on Saturdays through the Summer.

There is an award winning winery on the island, as well as a plethora of cafes and bistros to enjoy.

History of Pender Island

The islands were named after Daniel Pender, who was master of the Plumper in 1857. There was a surprising amount of industry on the islands, considering their size, such as a brick making business, a herring saltery, a fertilizer plant as well as many logging activities.

What to do

There are lots of parks on the islands, so definitely worth coming off your Vancouver yacht charter and having an explore on land as the public land is varied and plentiful. Lots of the parks are preserved through the provincial government and Federal initiatives.

• Roesland Park has stunning trails to explore, access to amazing beaches around the ocean, Roe Lake and many hectares of mountains and forest to explore.
• Explore island history at the Pender Island Museum in an original 1908 farmhouse at Roesland near the Otter Bay ferry terminal.
• Beaumont Park is easily accessible by boat if you are on a Vancouver yacht charter, a great sport for a picnic and swimming.
• Mount Norman park offers beautiful views via the hiking trail to the summit, which is around 2km, there are also many shorter hiking trails to enjoy, so a great place to stretch your legs ashore from your Vancouver yacht charter!
• If bird watching is your thing, then head for Magic lake with a picnic to enjoy the vast array of birds to watch. There is also a baseball park here too.
• To experience some of the history of the island, then head for Medicine Beach on North Pender which has an ancient settlement and wetlands.
• On South Pender; Brooks Point is a great place for magnificent ocean views and for some wildlife spotting.
• Explore some of the 30 artist studios and galleries dotted across the island or indulge in some shopping at the Driftwood Centre.
• The shoreline is great for kayaking, so it’s worth adding a kayak to your Vancouver yacht charter in order explore the beaches and waterfronts.
• There is also a well maintained nine-hole golf course as well as a 27-hole frisbee golf course available to the public.

So it is definitely worth including a stop at Pender Island on your itinerary for your Vancouver yacht charter this summer.