The Pender Islands Handbook - 2nd Edition 2009-2010

This site is a companion to the Pender Islands Handbook and contains information on the book, free updates, and helpful information and links pertaining to The Pender Islands, British Columbia, Canada.
                                                                
Richard Fox, Author and Webmaster



News and Announcements

penderblog    Check out this upbeat community-oriented forum hosted by Jocko and find out what's happening around the Pender Islands.

Restaurant News: At the Golf Course, Fairways Restaurant is now BIRDIE'S BISTRO!! The space has been remodeled and the menu upgraded by fabulous Brenda of Moonbeans Coffee and her crew!  They will be open for breakfast and lunch to start.

THE SECOND EDITION IS HERE! The 2nd Edition began distribution on July 31, 2009. The book has been completely updated with the latest information including new hiking trails and ocean accesses, and all the info that was in the original book has been checked and updated.  It's amazing how many things needed updating in a book so densely packed with information.  New features have been added as well, including maps of the Car Stops.

The free book updates to the first edition through May 2009 will still be available on this website as a pdf file, and future updates will refer to the second edition.

You will have to get the 2nd Edition for info on the dozen new hiking trails and beach accesses, as well as the remainder of  the hundreds of pieces of information that have changed in the preparation of the new edition.  As I got into the revision and checked every bit of information, a lot more had changed than I had realized.

I would also appreciate feedback on the updates that I post on this site. I don't know if anyone actually looks at that page to update their books.  If anyone does, please let me know by sending a note to comments@penderhandbook.com.

For helpful Pender Island links and info , Click here

For Free updates to the Pender Islands Handbook  1st Edition through SPRING 2009, and starting August 1,  2009 for the second edition,   Click here

US Passport Requirements

Those traveling to the US via land or sea are now required to have a current Passport.

Announcement from BC Ferries:

June 1, 2009: Prepaid paper tickets will no longer be accepted as payment toward

fares. Tickets can continue to be converted to dollars on BC Ferries ExperienceTM

Cards.April 1, 2010: Prepaid paper tickets are no longer be accepted for conversion to

BC Ferries Experience Card.

Boaters: Pleasure Craft Operators Cards (PCOC) Now Required

All Canadian operators of any size motorized boat are required to carry a PCOC or face a fine of $250.  Contact the Pender Island Power and Sail Squadron for information.

The Southern Resident Pods Are Back for the Summer

Frequent sightings of the resident pods (J,K.L) of orcas have been reported since late May. Our beloved neighbours are typically seen between Stuart Island, traveling toward the tip of South Pender Island, then along the west coast of North Pender Island in Swanson Channel, making their way toward Active Pass.  The Thieves Bay Breakwater is the best place to watch them (park as directed, don't drive out to the breakwater) although they do not appear at any particular time of day or night. The orcas frequently swim right up to the breakwater, providing a sighting even more exciting than out at sea, where boaters are required to keep a safe distance away from them.  The fewer boats out watching the orcas, the better off the orcas will be. See links to whale organizations on this website.


About The Pender Islands Handbook

The Pender Islands are a northwest vacation paradise located in the Gulf Islands along the ferry route between Vancouver and Victoria in southern British Columbia, Canada.  Resplendent with parkland, the Penders offer a low-key commune with nature while providing enough services to satisfy both visitors and residents.

The Pender Islands Handbook was released in July 2006 and updated in July 2009. It is the Penders' first comprehensive guidebook, with 400 pages of information useful for both visitors and residents.  The highlight is a 75-page hiking and coastal access guide with detailed accompanying trail maps.  Boaters will find the 50-page boating guide helpful whether setting out in a kayak, power, or sail boat. Check the Table of Contents below for a complete summary of its contents, or visit the link to amazon.com for a digital tour of the book. 

The author, Richard Fox, is dedicated to providing purchasers of the book with the most up to date and accurate information possible.  Since things continue to change on a regular basis, this website contains updates to the bookIf readers discover anything in the book that has  changed or is in error, they are urged to send an email tocomments@penderhandbook.com

This site also contains information on where to buy the book, a photo gallery, and links to Pender Islands Information.  

THE  BLOG!   Link to the fabulous penderblog hosted by Pender's upbeat blogmaster, Jocko.  Chime in with your ideas for social events or other Pender thoughts and info.
Note: to post a comment, add the two numbers together as requested as a way to limit spam.


WHAT'S IN THE BOOK? 
Check out the Table of Contents here or Look Inside at the Book at Amazon.com (first edition only available at amazon.com):

INTRODUCTIONS
1  HOW TO USE THE BOOK  Main Pender activities, how to use the book, etc.

2  INTRODUCTION  Pender facts & figures; Pender information sources.

THE TRAVEL GUIDES
3 TRAVEL GUIDE  Transportation options, complete BC Ferries and Washington ferries information, air travel summary with airline destinations, rail, rental cars etc. 30 pages.
4 ACCOMMODATIONS GUIDE  Pender resorts, Inns, B&B's & campgrounds with rates.

5 DINING GUIDE Pender restaurants with sample menus, and groceries, produce, bakers, roasters and wineries on Pender and nearby.
6 SHOPPING & SERVICES GUIDE  Where to buy just about anything by category on Pender and highlights of the Victoria area.  Services and utilities available on Pender; post and courier, radio and TV station frequencies, Internet access, etc.
7 WEDDING GUIDE  A wedding planner includes venues, vendors and locations for weddings. Also info of special interest for same-sex weddings, and GLBT resources in the region.
8 NEARBY ATTRACTIONS OFF-ISLAND  Places accessible by public ferry, concentrating on the Victoria-Sidney area with a dining guide, list of attractions and the arts. Features on Butchart Gardens and Symphony Splash.

THE RECREATION GUIDES
9 RECREATION GUIDE  Summary of recreation opportunities of all types available on Pender, and includes a web resource guide and regional ski area info.
10 GOLFING GUIDE Pender's popular 9 hole course and the world renowned Golf Island Disc Park are described in detail.  A map and scorecards for the disc golf course are included.
11-12-13 COASTAL ACCESS AND HIKING GUIDE  75 pages of detailed information on 100 hiking trails and beaches around the islands.  Features trail maps with topography, places to swim, summaries of trail types by difficulty, rankings of the trails and ocean accesses, etc.. All features are given a unique number and are cross-referenced in other chapters & maps.
14 BICYCLING GUIDE  The complete 'Tour de Pender' ride is outlined km by km.  Three best and easiest routes are presented 'for the rest of us.'  Pender's road conditions are summarized, and off-island cycling highlights in the surrounding region from Vancouver to the San Juan Islands and Victoria are described.
15 BOATING GUIDE A 50-page summary of boating opportunities around the Pender Islands.  Area cruising information is also included.  The best kayaking routes around the Penders are described, and information about area fishing and diving is presented.  Pender's marinas and anchorages are also described, along with info on customs, tides, and resources.

LIFE ON PENDER GUIDES
16 ARTS & ISLAND EVENTS  Summary of Pender artists, musicians, writers, and theatre companies,  All major annual events are listed.
17 THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT  Contains Pender climate info and statistics, an orca-watching guide, birdwatching guide, gardening guide, flora,  fauna, environmental issues and agencies, Pender geology, groundwater and water resources.
18 LIVING ON PENDER  A historical timeline, Pender historic buildings, the Pender Museum, Health Services Guide for Pender and clinics/hospitals in Victoria area, School and Church Guide, Senior Citizens Guide, Government Agency Guide, Hazards, Pests, Emergency Preparedness & Procedures,

MAPS & INDEX
PENDER ISLANDS MAP ATLAS  25 detailed maps cover the islands, with 100 trails and roads mapped (and cross-referenced throughout the various chapters).  Includes topography, places of interest, helpful phone numbers, emergency numbers, and maps of Victoria & Sidney.
INDEX  20-page index makes it easy to find what you are looking for.



Comments about this website?  Please send an email to comments@penderhandbook.com.
The clickable link was removed due to intense spamming.




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