The Southern Gulf Islands lie in the Strait of Georgia between British Columbia's lower mainland and Vancouver Island on Canada's west coast.  This archipelago dots the waters of the Straight of Georgia extending south across the U.S. border where it is known as the San Juan Islands.  It comprises of five major and wonderfully unique islands--Salt Spring, The Penders, Mayne, Saturna, and Galiano.  Idyllic in landscape and rustic in character, the Southern Gulf Islands bask in a balmy climate, pastoral tranquility, healthy lifestyle and some of the best protected boating waters in the world.

Pender Island is the second most populous of the southern Gulf Islands. Its permanent residents number about 2,000, made up of young families, young and old retirees, and a large number of business professionals who work in Victoria, Vancouver and farther a field.  In the summer, the island population doubles when seasonal residents and visitors arrive to cycle, hike, cruise, golf, fish or enjoy a peaceful retreat.

While most people simply refer to Pender Island in the singular, it is in fact, two islands. "The Penders" consist of North and South Pender Island.  Separated by a very narrow channel, they are joined by a one-lane bridge that crosses the narrow canal which was dug in 1903 to benefit steamship travel through the Gulf Islands. The two islands combined comprise an area of about 37 square kilometers, or 14 square miles.

North Pender Island is much more developed than South Pender Island, although that's all relative out in the Gulf Islands.  Neither of the Penders seems to share the long-standing farming background of the other Gulf Islands, so forests are thick and all-encompassing.  The forest cover is mainly Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar, with Arbutus trees near the water.  The Penders have some lovely beaches and public parks with good hiking trails.  Toss in a handful of local artists, and you have the recipe for a tranquil island retreat.

		The Gulf Islands have attracted a varied and talented group of artisans

The Penders are primarily a rural community. You'll find open farmland, rolling forested hills and several lakes. Recently acquired parklands include the 532 acre Pacific Marine Heritage Legacy Park and the protected Medicine Beach wetlands. Trails cross Mt. Norman Regional Park and Mt. Elizabeth Park. Trails can also be found in Magic Lake Estates, at Mt. George, Mt. Menzies and Oak Bluffs. Signs mark the many accesses to beaches and scenic viewpoints around the islands.

The sub-Mediterranean type climate with 36 inches of rain and 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, makes the Penders perfect for family vacations which can include boating, swimming, hiking and nature watching.  Deer are everywhere and seals, Orca whales, sea lions, otters, and mink are frequently seen in the waters around all the Gulf Islands.

Summers are usually dry and very pleasant. Winter is the rainy season, with temperatures seldom below freezing.   In a normal year the flowering trees are in full bloom the first week of March, often in February.
 

The Pender Islands are known as the islands of hidden coves and beaches

The Penders are known as the "friendly islands" and "islands of hidden coves and beaches", boasting twenty public ocean access points with swimming and picnic sites. Amongst and around these major islands there are literally hundreds of smaller islands, islets, bays, coves and beaches, some of which are provincial parks, open to the enjoyment of everyone.

Many visitors like to bike or hike the country lanes and trails, exploring this fascinating island. Boating is also popular and the accompanying water activities are also a draw for visitors--diving, fishing, wildlife watching, canoeing and kayaking.

	Locally grown flowers are available at the Saturday morning Farmers' Market

The island has no village or town center although the Driftwood Center--the heartbeat of the island--with its many stores and offices, serves as the island's business center. The Post Office, Liquor Store, Capital Regional District office, pharmacy, laundromat, insurance office, gas station, bank, bakery, grocery store, real estate office, hair salon and a gift shop are all located at "The Drift". There are businesses also at Port Washington, Hope Bay, at the three marinas (Otter Bay Marina, Port Browning Marina and Bedwell Harbour Marina) and a few others, including farm stands, along the country roads.

The pleasant climate, wildlife, miles and miles of shoreline, gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, quiet forests and year round greenery are just some of the features attracting people from all around the world to this region .