Penders primer

BC Ferries has departures twice daily from Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver, B.C.) and six times daily from Swartz Bay (north of Victoria on Vancouver Island) to Otter Bay on North Pender. Reserve in advance if departing from Tsawwassen (from $6.56 per adult and $20 per car; 888/223-3779). Pender Island Chamber of Commerce can provide lodging options, including B&Bs and vacation cottages (866/468-7924). Prices listed are in U.S. dollars.

Lodging
Poets Cove Resort & Spa. New luxury resort, with 22 lodge rooms and 24 two- and three-bedroom villas and cottages, suits active families as well as adults at leisure. From $148. 9801 Spalding Rd., South Pender Island; www.poetscove.com, 888/512-7638, or 250/629-2100.

Dining
Aurora Restaurant. Poets Cove dining room serves up views of Bedwell Harbour and Gulf Islands bounty. $$$$; breakfast and dinner daily. At Poets Cove (above).

Hope Bay Café. Bistro dining in an old general store. $$; breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. 4301 Bedwell Harbour Rd., North Pender Island; 250/629-6668.

Pender Island Bakery Café. $; breakfast and lunch daily. Driftwood Centre, 4605 Bedwell Harbour Rd., North Pender; 250/629-6453.

Pistou Grill. Enjoy a Chinook salmon burger or rosemary lamb shank for dinner. $$; lunch and dinner Tue-Sat. At Driftwood Centre (see bakery cafe); 250/629-3131.

Syrens. Soups, salads, pizza, and sandwiches. $$; lunch and dinner daily. At Poets Cove (above); 250/629-2114. 

Activities
Blood Star Gallery. Landscapes and ocean paintings in a couple’s home and studio. By appointment. 9909 Jennens Rd., South Pender; 250/629-6661.

Kayak Pender Island. Lessons and guided tours. Mid-Apr-mid-Oct; reservations recommended; from $34 for 2 hours. www.kayakpenderisland.com or 877/683-1746.

Pender Islands’ Farmers’ Market. 9:30-1 Sat, Apr 15-mid-Nov. 4418 Bedwell Harbour Rd., North Pender; www.penderislands.org or 250/629-3669.

Red Tree Gallery. Local artists’ work at the Hope Bay complex. Open daily; call for hours. 4301 Bedwell Harbour Rd., North Pender; 250/629-6800.

Renaissance Studios. Handmade jewelry, paintings, rugs, and more. 3302 Port Washington Rd., North Pender; 250/629-3070.

Sound Passage Adventures. Water-taxi service, kayak and paddleboat rentals. From $13 (for water-taxi service). 4605 Oak Rd., Port Browning, North Pender; www.soundpassageadventures.com or 877/629-3930.

Susurrus Spa. From $92. At Poets Cove (previous page).