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.