Two islets, one tempo.

Pender Island is in the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada, in the Salish Sea between Vancouver Island and the mainland. It sits south of Mayne and Saturna Islands and east of Salt Spring, about 40 minutes by ferry from Swartz Bay near Victoria and two hours from Tsawwassen near Vancouver. The island is roughly 25 kilometres north of the Canada-U.S. border.

No. There is no resident bear population on Pender Island or any of the Southern Gulf Islands. Wildlife you will see includes black-tailed deer, raccoons, river otters, bald eagles and harbour seals, and orcas and humpback whales pass through the surrounding waters. Cougars very occasionally swim across from Vancouver Island but sightings are rare.

Pender Island covers about 37 square kilometres in total. North Pender is the larger at roughly 27 square kilometres, and South Pender is about 10 square kilometres. Around 2,400 people live on the island year-round. Driving end to end takes about 30 minutes.

Two. North Pender and South Pender were a single island until 1903, when the federal government dredged a canal at Port Browning so steamships could pass through. A one-lane wooden bridge has connected them since 1955. Most services, the ferry terminal and the shopping centre are on North Pender. South Pender is quieter and home to Mount Norman, Gowlland Point and Poets Cove.

BC Ferries sails to Otter Bay on North Pender from Swartz Bay near Victoria and from Tsawwassen near Vancouver. Reservations are recommended on the Tsawwassen route and on summer weekends. Seair Seaplanes flies from Vancouver International Airport to Port Washington on North Pender. Boaters can moor at Port Browning, Poets Cove or Otter Bay marinas. Poets Cove in Bedwell Harbour is a Canada Border Services Agency port of entry, so boaters arriving from the U.S. clear customs there, including NEXUS and CANPASS holders.

Hike Mount Norman, the highest point on the island at 244 metres, for views across the Swanson Channel. Watch for orcas from Gowlland Point or Brooks Point on South Pender. Kayak from Port Browning or Otter Bay, or paddle to Beaumont Marine Park. Visit the Pender Island Farmers Market, go for a tasting at Sea Star Vineyards, Twin Island Cider, or Bee Wild Distillery or and play the free disc golf course at Golf Island Disc Park.

Pender Island has a full-service resort with a spa and marina at Poets Cove on South Pender, waterfront cabins and pub at Port Browning Marina, cottages and glamping at WOODS on Pender, several bed and breakfasts and licensed vacation rentals. Campers can book Prior Centennial Campground in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve or paddle to backcountry sites at Beaumont Marine Park. Rates drop after Labour Day and most accommodations stay open year-round.