When it comes to Christmas, Pender Harbour has it in the boat

During the upcoming Pender Harbour Christmas Market (Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, Dec. 7 to Dec. 9), John Henry’s waterfront cottages transform into shops filled with artisans, vendors and art. Replace the hot coffee we got at the General Store with mulled wine, the bright autumn colours of the trees with strands of lights and the calls of great blue heron with carollers. The coastal resort is magical enough in the autumn, but it ramps up into a holiday wonderland during the winter.

For a full list of Christmas Happenings in Pender Harbour, click here.

Mark from SloCat Tours

“It was a boat access community for 70 years, then the ferry came,” Mark said as we continued through the emerald waters, cruising from one bay to the next. We followed the route that the Pender Harbour Boat Parade of Lights (December 21st) will take during the festive season. Residents and visitors all crowd the shores to view this brilliant spectacle on the water.

That’s not the only place you’ll find lights during the festive season, especially since Pender Harbour celebrates Christmas from Nov. 30 to Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, and there's events happening all through the community.

When you first head up the Sunshine Coast Highway, you’ll arrive in Madeira Park, which could be referred to as the Downtown of Pender Harbour. It has the highway, the Government Dock and it will host the annual Christmas Tree Lighting event. Residents are encouraged to light up their homes for a decorating competition and local businesses like the Mad Park Cantina (home to amazing Mexican food, including some great breakfast options) get in the spirit as well.

With lights aglow on land and on the sea, it’s also worthy to note the freshwater that also gives Pender Harbour its character. Heading north from Madeira Park, there’s another highway turnoff to Garden Bay, which is more of a lake community. Mark says it’s the best place for recreation on the entire Sunshine Coast.

Sunset at the Prawn Palace overlooking Hospital Bay

“You have Mount Daniel and the entrance to Pender Hill for hiking and mountain biking, lakes for kayaking. It (Garden Bay) combines the ruggedness of the West Coast mountains erupting out of the ocean, but it also has all those great freshwater elements.”

On the water, we sailed from John Henry’s in Hospital Bay over to Gerrans Bay, which is commonly referred to as Whiskey Slough (a nod to some prohibition-era rum running). Another little island, another cove, a narrow channel and every one with a story.

Touring Pender Harbour’s coves and bays by boat

Gunboat Bay is your best bet to spot a rainbow from the water. We pulled out the binoculars to identify some birds and read the names of a mismatched fleet of boats we saw in marinas, at docks or washed up on a rocky shore.

“The character of Pender Harbour is found in its boats.” With such a modest population, Mark says the local pastime is boat-watching vs people-watching.

We passed Irving’s Landing where the old Union Steamship from Vancouver used to dock and went by Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina’s luxury accommodations. Around the corner was PODS – the Pacific Ocean Discovery Station. PODS hosts a bonfire, music and carolling during the festive season.