The Pender Islands are made up of North and South Pender Island and are separated by a dredged narrow canal, linked by a one lane bridge. The canal was dredged in the early 1900's to enable the ferry to travel from Hope Bay on the Pender Islands to Victoria, thus avoiding the treacherous waters off the south point and trimming hours from the trip.

South Pender Island is more rural and less populated. Bedwell Harbour, the site of the customs dock and a flourishing marina and resort, is located on South Pender. There are two popular hiking trails, one leading up to Mt. Norman and splendid views, and the other following the canal over to Beaumont Marine Park with its white shell beaches and arbutus headland.