Ready for yet another reason to visit the beautiful Sunshine Coast in British Columbia? Pender Harbour (ḵalpilin) is a ‘water-centric’ community with plenty to offer paddling, swimming, and kayaking enthusiasts. So grab your boards and picnic blankets, and get ready for a picture-perfect long weekend destination!

Situated on the traditional territory of the shíshálh Nation, the small harbour is surrounded by multiple small communities, including Madeira Park (salalus), Kleindale, and Garden Bay (séxw?ámin).

These areas form a horseshoe shape around the coastline, and are interested with stunning freshwater lakes, according to Tourism Sunshine Coast.

There’s also a vibrant local arts scene for visitors to check out, which makes it a fantastic place to catch some live music or check out a gallery or open artist studio.

Lake activities

In terms of lake day activities, there are multiple scenic freshwater lakes to choose from here – all with calm waters to offer. This includes Katherine Lake (p’ip’ḵ’ilich) i, which boasts one of the largest sandy beaches on the Coast.

Here, visitors can stay overnight at an adjoining campground with washroom/shower facilities on-site, as well as playground and picnic amenities – the same of which can be said for Garden Bay Lake.

On the other hand, Hotel Lake offers visitors a private, secluded beach

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Photo via Shutterstock

Those who prefer below-water activities can enjoy world-class diving along the Agamemnon Channel, which is situated between the harbour and the nearby Nelson Island.

According to Tourism Sunshine Coast, Hikers can head up Pender Hill or Mount Daniel for sweeping views of the waters below, or hike to the lighthouse at Francis Point Park.

Visitor Information Booth

Visitors can also check out the Pender Harbour Visitor Information Booth (with washrooms and free parking) in Madeira Park, open five days a week from Wednesday to Sunday during the summer months.

Time to paddle your way through the harbour, BC!

Pender Harbour 

Where: Sunshine Coast, BC

Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

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