Why buyers are drawn to Pender Island

People often ask me what it is about Pender Island that draws so many people here. After more than twenty years of coming to the island, my answer is always the same:

It’s the feeling.

My own journey with Pender Island began more than twenty years ago. My mom and I had taken a weekend trip to Salt Spring Island and instantly fell in love with island life. We loved the small businesses, the local market, the wineries, the sunshine, the sense of community, and the slower pace of life.

On the ferry ride home, I picked up a copy of Island Tides magazine and came across an advertisement for a new quarter-share cottage community called Currents at Otter Bay on Pender Island.

I jokingly looked at my mom and said, “Maybe we should go have a look.”

The following weekend, we did exactly that.

We left as owners.

For the next fifteen years, our family spent countless weekends and holidays on Pender Island. We kayaked, hiked, explored beaches, played disc golf, enjoyed the local restaurants, and spent time with other families who had fallen in love with the island for the same reasons we had.

But more than anything, we discovered something that is becoming increasingly rare: space to slow down.

The Ferry Became Part of the Experience

People sometimes ask whether taking a ferry is inconvenient. For us, it never felt that way. In fact, the ferry ride became part of the experience. The moment we stepped on board, the stress and pace of mainland life seemed to fall away.

By the time we arrived, we were already beginning to relax.

Over the years, I became so passionate about the island that I was constantly encouraging friends to visit. I wanted people to experience what we had found here. There was something special about watching someone discover Pender for the first time and understand exactly why we kept coming back.

When One Week a Month Wasn’t Enough

For many years, our family owned a quarter-share cottage at Currents at Otter Bay, which gave us one week each month on the island. It was a wonderful way to experience Pender Island and create family memories, but over time, we found ourselves wanting more.

We wanted to spend longer stretches here. We wanted to become more involved in the community, get to know people more deeply, and put down roots of our own.

Eventually, one week a month no longer felt like enough.

A few years ago, my family decided to make a bigger commitment to island life. In 2022, we purchased acreage in Port Washington, and Pender Island continues to be an important part of our lives today.

A True Sense of Community

One of the things I’ve come to appreciate most about Pender Island is its sense of community. Over the years, we’ve attended Christmas tree lightings, Easter egg hunts, the Magic Lake Lantern Festival, community events, comedy series and museum activities. We’ve watched children participate in summer sailing programs and families gather for local celebrations.

These aren’t necessarily the reasons people first come to Pender Island, but they are often the reasons they stay. There is a genuine sense of connection here that can be difficult to find in larger communities.

In many ways, Pender Island gave my children the same kind of memories I grew up with—summer days, family time, and a special place that always felt like an escape from everyday life.

Why People Keep Coming Back

Life here isn’t perfect. Winter storms can bring strong winds. Power occasionally goes out. Ferry schedules require planning.

But somehow those things become part of the charm. Pender Island reminds you that life doesn’t always need to move at full speed.

Whether it’s brunch at the Copper Otter, an evening at Port Browning Marina, a hike up Mount Norman, beachcombing along the shoreline, or simply sitting quietly and listening to the birds, there is a sense of peace here that is difficult to describe until you’ve experienced it yourself.

When people ask why buyers are drawn to Pender Island, I don’t think it’s just the scenery, the ocean views, or the outdoor recreation.

I think they’re searching for something deeper.

They’re looking for connection. For community. For a place where family memories can be created. For a slower pace and a different rhythm of life.

For me, Pender Island has been all of those things. More than twenty years after that ferry ride home from Salt Spring, I still feel grateful every time I arrive. And every time I leave, I find myself looking forward to coming back.