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Pender Harbour reaches about 5km inland and includes a maze of inlets with over 200km of shoreline. Until recently, most travel in the area was on the waterways, giving the area the nickname "Venice of the North."
Pender Harbour encompasses a few communities—Madeira Park, Garden Bay and Irvines Landing—that are
centred around its waters.
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Madeira Park, located on the southeastern shore of the harbour, is the main shopping centre for the region. The Madeira Park government floats provide over 400m of moorage, located only a short walk from downtown.
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At the mouth of Pender Harbour in Joe Bay is the historic community of Irvines Landing, which is a popular tourist and fishing stop. Irvines Landing offers a boat launch ramp, grocery store, restaurant and pub.
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The small village of Garden Bay is tucked between Pender Harbour’s Hospital Bay and Garden Bay. With its yacht club, marinas, general store, restaurants and heritage inn, Garden Bay offers some amenities amongst a lovely setting and great views.
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North of Pender Harbour are: Ruby and Klein Lakes, the ferry to
Powell River from Earl's Cove and the small village of
Egmont.
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Arts and Culture
The largest event in the area is the Annual May Day celebration, held annually on the Victoria Day weekend. The celebration includes a parade; games and activities for children; craft and product displays; live music; an outdoor barbecue and more. Pender Harbour also hosts the Pender Habour Jazz Festival, a three-day festival in September that showcases musicians in a variety of venues.
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Getting to
Pender Harbour
To get to Pender Harbour from the Lower Mainland, take the Sunshine Coast ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to the Langdale terminal. Head down Highway 101 North, about 15km past Secret Cove, to the Pender Harbour area.
If you're coming from Powell River, take the ferry from Saltery Bay to Earls Cove at the north end of the Sunshine Coast. Head south on Highway 101.
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Outdoor Adventure
To reach incredible views, hike up Mount Daniel and / or Pender Hill. Mount Daniel, accessed from Garden Bay Road, was a sacred site of the
Shishalh First Nation and the summit is a protected archeological site. Traces of "moon rings," circles of stones marking young
Shishalh girls' puberty rituals, remain on the mountain. Pender Hill, accessed from Lee Bay Road, was once a lookout point for
Shishalh sentries and offers a panoramic view.
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The plethora of coves, bays, and islands around Pender Harbour make it the most popular diving spot on the Sechelt Peninsula. The four most popular
sites—Fearney Bluffs, Nelson Rock, and Anderson and Charles Islands—are accessible by boat only.
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The many lakes and streams in the Pender Harbour area offer plenty of options for freshwater fishing and swimming. Klein Lake offers private campsites and fine trout. The Klein Lake-Ruby Lake hiking and biking trail also starts here. Ruby Lake’s calm waters are perfect for canoeing and swimming, with many little islands and secluded coves. Nearby Dan Bosch Regional Park provides a nice sandy spot to play and swim. Katherine Lake Regional Park also has still waters and a gently sloping sandy beach—it is a great place for children.
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