Both North Pender Island and South Pender Island are wonderful places to visit
the Pender Island Chamber of Commerce at penderislandchamber.com for visitor guides and event listings.
Where: The market is located at the Pender Islands Community Hall
When: Open Saturdays, 9:30am to 1:00pm, Easter through Thanksgiving
What’s so special about this market? Sponsored by the Pender Island Farmers’ Institute, the market brings together local farmers, craftspeople and food vendors to offer you Pender Island’s best wares: vegetables, fruits, flowers, eggs, pasture-raised lamb, local cider, baked goods, jams and jellies, sushi, plants, art, crafts, jewelry, music and snacks!
Sea Star Estate Farm and Vineyards
You are invited to explore our portfolio of wines crafted from grapes organically grown on our Pender and Saturna Island ocean-side vineyards.
When: Open 12pm to 4pm June 21st, 22nd, 23rd.
Rooted on Pender Island. Naturally fermented ciders pressed from heirloom Pender Island Trees.
When: Open 12pm to 4pm Saturday and Sunday
We welcome you to join us every Friday for soup luncheon with Live Music.
Suggested donation is $5.00 for an unlimited bowl of soup with bread or crackers.
We typically have a gluten free and a vegetarian option.
This is a partnership between the Pender Islands Health Care Society, Ptarmigan Arts and the Pender Island Community Hall.
Come to Pender Island’s Community cafe for coffee, tea and games!
Pender Island Community Hall 4418 Bedwell Harbour Road
Step Back In Time at the Pender Islands Museum
Parks Canada once again joins the Pender Islands Museum Society for Tour des Îles with the Step Back in Time event. Join hosts in historic costume for activities at the museum, located at the 110-year-old Roesland Resort. Or just relax on the porch, bring a picnic, and enjoy the scenery. Music Sponsored by Ptarmigan Arts.
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cardboard Kayak Race
Join Pender Island Kayak Adventures as they host a cardboard kayak race. Yes, that is not a typo! Watch the craziness as budding boat designers attempt to get their cardboard boats around the race course.
If sitting in a soggy cardboard box doesn’t “float your boat”, there is the annual Chili Cookoff.
Where: Port Browning Harbour
2pm: Fun and games begin! Hooping, Bouncy castle, slip n slide, disc golf challenge and a lot more lively action!
3.30pm: Chefs take the lids of their chili entries! Feast til you’re full! $2/taste or $20 for unlimited refills!
3.30 – 5.30: Cardboard Kayak Race Signup. Random teams chosen, bring your ideas. We provide everything you need to make your vessel.
5.30 – 7pm: Cardboard Kayak Building
7.15: Meet at beach to launch the beautiful c(rafts)
7.15 – cardboard kayak relay race around Port Browning
Free Store and Re-shop Gallery
The Free Store is chock full of a great selection of free stuff awaiting a second life: books, kitchen stuff, knickknacks, board games, garden pots, building hardware, and lots more. The Re-Shop Gallery features art, repurposed and refurbished items “up-cycled” by local artists and are available for a minimum suggested donation.
Where: Recycling Centre (near the Community Hall)
When: Friday June 21 & Saturday June 22 from 10:00 – 3:00
Nu-To-Yu Shopping Day
World famous secondhand shopping experience. Find a treasure trove of gently used clothing, accessories, books, toys, furniture, small appliances, strollers, bicycles, and other household goods. All proceeds are used to support community services and activities.
Where: Auchterlonie Centre (next to the Library)
When: Friday June 21 & Saturday June 22 from 10:00 – 4:00
Friday Night Dinner at the Legion
All dinners are $18.00 per person, children 12 and under are half price. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Talisman Books, or at the Legion bar on dinner night if not sold out.
Where: Legion Branch 239 (near the Ferry)
When: Friday June 21 starting at 4pm.
RENAISSANCE STUDIO
Featuring exclusive handmade designer jewelry, antiques, fine art, collectibles, and handmade rugs.
Where: 3302 Port Washington Road (near Southridge Farm Store)
When: Friday June 21, Saturday June 22 & Sunday June 23 from 11:00 – 4:00
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 handicappers.
Where: 2305 Otter Bay Road
When: Friday June 21, Saturday June 22 & Sunday June 23 from 8:00 – 6:00
Open Acoustic Jam
Bring a banjo, bongo or spoons and play along, or just listen in and enjoy the slow life.
Where: Slow Coast Café (Medicine Beach)
When: Sunday June 23 from 1:00 – 3:00
Hot Tunes with PI Jazz
Pack a picnic, load up the chairs or maybe a blanket and come on out to Stoney Pocket for some smooth jazz from PIJazz at its annual summer event. The beautiful venue, located on the corner of Port Washingron Rd and Clam Bay Rd will only be enhanced by wonderful tunes that will have your toes tapping in their sandals in no time. Tickets at Talisman Books are $15, with kids free.
When: Sunday June 23 from 2pm – 4pm
Please join the Pender Ocean Defenders and the Pender community for a celebration and commemoration of our beloved Orca. Gather at The Driftwood at 2pm on Saturday June 22nd and join our musical parade down to the ocean in front of Browning pub to sing, lament, learn about and cheer on our neighbors, the J Pod Orca.
When: Saturday June 22 from 2pm
Where: Starting at The Driftwood, heading down to Port Browning
Hear stories from Pender’s past as told by longtime residents and hosted by acclaimed author, storyteller and songwriter, Andrea Spalding. Stories are a cornerstone to our culture and history, and this small island has no shortage of interesting tales. This evening, taking place in the middle of Tour Des Isles, will celebrate the uniqueness of our community, pay homage to where we’ve come from, and hopefully inspire us to continue getting to know our neighbours and building community.
Where and When: Pender Community Hall 4418 Bedwell Harbour Rd. Saturday June 22nd, 7pm
Pender Island Disc Golf
The course features 27 holes, with the original nine holes (now the front nine) having tone poles, and the middle and back nines having chain baskets. The course, with its many trees and rugged landscape is one of the Most Unique Disc Golf Courses in the World!
Where: Magic Lake
When: Daily from sunrise to sunset
Dining
Bridgemans Bistro – at Browning Harbour, 5 – 8 (Fri) & 9 – 8 (Sat, Sun)
Port Browning Pub – at Browning Harbour, 11 – 9 (Fri, Sat & Sun)
Aurora – at Poets Cove, 8 – 11 & 5:30 – 8:30 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Moorings Café – at Poets Cove, 7:30 – 5 (Fri, Sat) & 7:30 – 2:45 (Sun)
Syrens Bistro & Lounge – at Poets Cove, 12 – 9 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Jo’s Place – at the Driftwood Centre, 8 – 2 & 5-8 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Vanilla Leaf Café – at the Driftwood Centre, 7 – 5 (Fri, Sat & Sun)
Tru Value Deli – at the Driftwood Centre, 9am – 7pm (Fri, Sat & Sun)
El Faro Fusion – at the Golf Course, 11am – 4pm (Fri & Sat)
Community Gathering Soup lunch – at the Community Hall, 12 – 1 (Fri)
Coffee & Kitchen – at Woods on Pender, 5 – 9 (Fri), 9 – 2 & 5 – 9 (Sat, Sun)
Camp Truck – at Woods On Pender 9 – 3 (Fri) 12-3 (Sat)
Legion Dinner 5– 8 (Fri)
Otter Bay Marina Café 8 – 6 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Penderosa Pizza – at Medicine Beach Market 12 – 11pm (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Island Time food truck – at Seastar Vineyards, 12 – 4 (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Slow Coast Cafe – at Medicine Beach Market, 7:30 – 4 (Fri) & 8:30 – 4:00 (Sat, Sun)
Southridge Country Store -Port Washigton Road 9:30 – 5:00 (Fri, Sat), 11:00 – 4:00 (Sun)
Cafe at Large – at Southridge Country Store, Friday and Saturday 11-3
The Stand – at the Ferry Terminal, 7am – 5:30pm (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Gather Teahouse Eatery & Stage – at Hope Bay, 11am – 3pm (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Pender Chocolates – at Hope Bay 9:30-4 (Fri & Sat) 11-3 (Sun)
Poets Cove Resort and Spa
Information Station
Arrive by plane, land or water shuttle, Poets cove Resort is a secluded oasis for rest, relaxation and refreshment. Explore the docks, beach, pools and village like ambiance, then stop in at one of the restaurants for excellent dining. Keep your eyes peeled for some special events and activities or rent a kayak and explore the coastline.
Where: Poets Cove Resort and Spa
When: Daily
Port Browning Marina
Information Station and Activity Hub
Arrive by foot, land or water shuttle, Browning Harbour is a hub for local get togethers and fun. Conveniently located within walking distance to downtown Pender Island, you can eat, explore the docks, beach, swim in the pool, play disc golf. Keep your eyes peeled for some special events and activities or rent a kayak and explore the coastline.
Where: Port Browning Marina
When: Daily
Driftwood Mall
Information Station and Activity Hub
Stroll the shops, stop for an ice cream, picnic while listening to local live music, watch as the swallows and eagles glide overhead. Keep your eyes peeled for some special events and activities or rent a scooter and explore the island.
Where: Driftwood Centre (a short walk from Port Browning Marina)
When: Daily
Arrive by land shuttle or BC Ferries. Explore the dock, beach, pools and village like ambiance. Rent a kayak and explore the coastline or a scooter to explore the land.
Where: Otter Bay (near the Ferry terminal)
When: Daily
Hiking Trails
Pender is blessed with numerous trails and ocean access points. While most of the trails are quite short there are a few that will give you an excellent workout such as Mt. Norman, Mt. Menzies and the Heart trail. Many trails can be found all along the bus and shuttle routes. A trail map and guide can be found here.
Accommodations
Poets Cove Resort Marina and Spa
1-888-512-7638
Bed and Breakfasts
250-999-6371
Port Browning Marina and Camping
250-629-3493
Parks Canada Camping
1-877-737-3783
Otter Bay Marina
250-629-3579
Woods on Pender
250-629-3353
Transportation
Tour des Iles Festival shuttles
Shuttles will take you to and between the Winery, Cidery, Museum, Community Hall, Disc Golf, Golf, many hikes and to the Information Stations/ Activity Hubs at Poets Cove, Browning Harbour and the Driftwood Centre.
Pender Island Community Bus
The schedule can be found here.
Taxi
Pender Island Cab – call 1-250-629-2222 to book or online.
Scooter Rentals
Driftwood Auto (Driftwood Mall) – call 250-629-3002
Otter Bay (near the ferry) – call 250-629-3579
Electric Bike Rentals
Pender Island Kayak (Browning Harbour) book online
Car Stops
An island way to get around and meet new friends or catch up with old friends. Find the car stop map here.
