A multi-armed natural harbour on the Sunshine Coast that has long been the go-to all-weather stopover for boats transiting the Strait of Georgia, with the best anchoring tucked into Garden Bay beneath its marine park.
Pender Harbour is not a single bay but a branching complex of coves and arms, Garden Bay, Gunboat Bay, Gerrans Bay, and Hospital Bay among them, each with its own character, and collectively offering shelter in almost any weather. The most popular anchorage is Garden Bay, on the harbour's north side, where boats find good holding in mud in roughly 30 feet of water.
The north shore of Garden Bay is fronted by Garden Bay Marine Provincial Park, which has a dinghy dock and shoreside trails, and a pub and restaurant sit right on the bay. Around the harbour are several marinas and yacht-club outstations; Hospital Bay and Garden Bay offer fuel, moorage, and dining.
The communities of Garden Bay and Madeira Park provide grocery and general provisioning, restaurants, and shore access, making Pender Harbour a comfortable resupply point as well as a sheltered overnight stop on the run to or from Desolation Sound and Princess Louisa Inlet.
Approach notes, hazards to watch for, and what's available once you're tied up.
Pender Harbour is entered from the Strait of Georgia and is studded with several drying and underwater rocks throughout, though most are charted and marked. CHS Chart 3535 (or good, up-to-date electronic charts) and a careful watch will see most boats in without trouble. Garden Bay itself is straightforward once inside, with deeper, well-protected water for anchoring.
The notable hazard is the entrance to Gunboat Bay at the harbour's east end, reached through a narrow channel that effectively dries and is impassable except near mid- and high-water. Tidal currents in this constriction can reach about 6 knots and run as a small reversing rapid, going slack at high water, so transit only at or near slack/HW.
Wind protection summary and tide planning at a glance. Full per-direction and 7-day detail with Plus.
Live readings from the nearest OpenWeather station and WorldTides; refreshed every few minutes.
Source: OpenWeather One Call API + WorldTides.
A curated photo + map walkthrough showing approach, mooring options, and points of interest.
A guided walkthrough of Pender Harbour with approach photos, depth notes, and points of interest — written by members who have been here recently.
Real first-hand reports and questions answered by members who have actually been here.
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Cruising-distance picks near this anchorage.
