Peaceful beaches
Panmure Island Provincial Park, Grand Tracadie, PEI National Park, Lakeside Beach, Little Harbor and Mossey’s beach are typical of PEI’s isolated (and often) white sand beaches, where you can listen to the surf and the cries of the seagulls.
Strolling beaches
The best beaches for walking include Cabot Beach, Deroche Pond, Basin Head and PEI National Park. Renowned for miles of sand and miles of unending horizon.
Popular beaches
The beaches at Northumberland, Panmure Island and Argyle Shore provincial parks tend to attract crowds, making for a fun singles or family beach vacation. These beaches are more likely to have amenities like ice cream stands, volleyball nets, kites.
Family beaches
Great beaches for kids and grown-ups alike are Tea Hill, Chelton Beach, PEI National Park, Northumberland, Red Point, and Argyle Shore, with their red and pink sands alsong the Island’s south shore. These beaches feature tidal pools, quiet and warm shallow water suitable for treasure seekers, and nature lovers seeking snails, shells, and starfish.
Educational beaches
The best beaches where you can learn fascinating facts about the geology and biology of PEI’s beaches are PEI National Park, Jacques Cartier, Cedar Dunes and Red Point. Take your notebook, camera and guidebooks to any of the beach interpretive programs
Bird Watching beaches
Birders will flock (like the birds) to Panmure Island, Cabot Park, Souris Beach and PEI National Park. Because PEI lies on the eastern migratory routes, bring your scope, binoculars, field guide and camera for exceptional finds.
Recreational beaches
Good beaches for water sports, particularly involving watercraft are Souris Beach, Basin Head and Mill River. These offer boat launches and sail, paddle, scuba or snorkel around.
Camping beaches
Beaches with campgrounds like Red Point, Panmure Island, Cabot Beach, Jacques Cartier and Cedar Dunes provincial parks let you fall asleep to the sounds of crashing waves and the calls of seabirds.
Help Us Protect our Dunes and Seaside Wildlife
Conserve the dunes, beaches and wildlife in this sensitive ecosystem. Please:
- Keep vehicles on roads, and feet on designated pathways
- Carry out garbage
- Respect signs and zones for protection of wildlife such as the endangered Piping Plover
- Avoid visiting bird colonies, nests and roosts
Some Specific Beaches
Argyle Shore, (On Route 19)
Argyle Shore, is located in Queens County in the central portion of Prince Edward Island, SE. of Victoria. Playground, beach, fireplaces, showers, and flush toilets available. Season: Summer
Basin Head, (Off Route 16, East of Souris)
Basin Head, a cape, is located in Kings County in the eastern portion of Prince Edward Island, SW. of East Point. Magnificent white sand beach, play area, food, facilities. Great place for water skiing, if you have their own boats and ski equipment.
Belmont Lot 16,(Off Route 123) Belmont Lot 16, an unincorporated area, is located in Prince County in the western portion of Prince Edward Island, NW. of Summerside. Playground, beach, fireplaces, showers, and flush toilets available. Season: Summer
Brackley Beach
Brackley Beach is located in Queens County in the central portion of Prince Edward Island, SE. of North Rustico. Brackley Beach is located in the National Park. Entrance fee.
Campbells Cove
On Rte 16. 5 km west of Elmira; 2 km west of North Lake Harbour; 11 km north of Basin Head Beach.
(902) 357-2233; off-season (902) 687-3246
Campbells Cove, is located in Kings County in the eastern portion of Prince Edward Island, NE. of Souris. Named after Mr. Angus Campbell, one of the first settlers . At the campground there is an ocean beach, kitchen shelter, playground, firepits, laundromat, dumping station on premises. Pets permitted on leash. Open mid-May to mid-Sept. The campground has flush toilets, hot showers, and cabins.
Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
Cavendish is located in Queens County in the central portion of Prince Edward Island, NW. of North Rustico.
Six entrances off rtes 6, 13, 15 between Cavendish and Grand Tracadie. One entrance off Rte 313 in Greenwich.
Parks Canada, 2 Palmers Lane, Charlottetown, C1A 5V6.
This park preserves the natural and cultural heritage of the Island’s North Shore, around Greenwich. The National Park features sand dunes, supervised beaches, sandstone cliffs, salt marshes, ponds, woodlands, wildlife as well as cultural landmarks including Green Gables and Dalvay-by-the-Sea. Park activities include camping, swimming, hiking, biking, picnicking, golf, tennis. Park activities offered in July/August include bird watching, beach walks, cultural campfires. Pets on a leash, permitted in all areas of the park except the beaches. There are a variety of food outlets, gift shops, roofed accommodations, and the park is open year round, although some facilities are closed in the off season. Entrance fee from June-Sept. Early-bird rates available until late June. Information Centres in Cavendish (rtes 6 and 13), Brackley (rtes 6 and 15), Greenwich (Rte 313).