Prince Edward Island

Prepare for a love affair with Prince Edward Island, Canada’s most rural province. Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Prince Edward Island (PEI) is a land of quaint rural communities, rolling hills, and great seafood. But most importantly, the island is the setting for Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s world-famous novel. Follow in the footsteps of red-haired Anne Shirley as you visit Cavendish and Prince Edward Island National Park.

Then head to PEI’s red sand beaches, considered among the finest in Canada. This pretty island is the stuff that dreams are made of. Scroll down to learn more!

Here are some cool facts about Prince Edward Island:

• Capital: Charlottetown
  
  
• Area: 5,660 sq km (2,190 sq mi)
  
  
• Population: 142,907
  
  
• PEI is a small island with a lot of mussels. It accounts for 80% of Canada’s mussel production. 
  
  
• PEI’s fertile red soil is the result of iron oxide, which rusts when exposed to air.
  
  
• Thanks to its iron-rich soil, the island produces more potatoes than any other Canadian province. 
  
  
• The Island Hymn was written by Lucy Maud Montgomery, who made the island famous with her novel “Anne of Green Gables.”

Located on the east coast of Canada, Prince Edward Island is surrounded by the warm waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. On the map, you’ll find PEI between the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Northumberland Strait separates PEI from the mainland. The capital city of Charlottetown is found on the south shore of the island.

Prince Edward Island map:

There are a few different ways of getting to Prince Edward Island.

Most international travelers fly into Charlottetown Airport with direct flights from Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, and Ottawa. The airport also serves connecting flights from Boston, Detroit, and New York. Major airlines flying to the province are Air Canada, Delta, and WestJet.

If you’re driving, you can reach PEI via Confederation Bridge — the world’s longest bridge over ice-covered water —  from New Brunswick. Alternatively, you can take a car ferry ride (operated via Northumberland Ferries) that departs from Caribou, Nova Scotia. 

As one of Canada’s three Maritime provinces, PEI welcomes you with a mild climate. Thanks to the warm waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the province has hot summer days and warm summer nights. During summertime, the temperature ranges from 20°C (68°F) to 32°C (90°F). Beach lovers can expect water temperatures of 20°C (68°F) in July and August.

Spring temperatures range from 8°C (46°F) to 22°C (71°F). In the fall, temperatures are similar to those in spring but with cooler evenings. That said, make sure to bring a good warm jacket and clothes you can layer to adjust to varying temperatures.

Winters tend to be crisp with temperatures ranging from about -3°C (27°F) to -11°C (12°F).

PEI weather chart:

Sure, summer means beach time and warm evenings, but there are lots of reasons why you should consider visiting PEI in winter too.

In the wintertime, PEI is less crowded than in summer and the sun still shines. The province is known for crisp winter days perfect for exploring PEI’s sights. Then, of course, there are plenty of exciting winter activities in PEI such as snowmobiling, skiing, skating, and snowshoeing.

The Confederation Trail — one of the world’s best cycling routes — turns over to snowmobilers in winter. This 449 km (279 mi) trail runs the length of the island through picturesque countryside and small towns. Pastoral landscapes look even prettier under a fresh blanket of snow, and your pictures will look amazing. 

From searching for Anne of Green Gables to swimming in the ocean and golfing, there are plenty of things to do in Prince Edward Island. To help you plan a weekend getaway or a longer trip, we’ve selected the best things to do on the island all year round. Let’s take a look!

If you want to see real-life places that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables, then head to Cavendish, the author’s hometown. Discover Green Gables House and its Victorian surroundings, which reflect the book with great accuracy. And who knows? You might even see the red-headed orphan Anney Shirley fluttering about the house.

Whether you’re a fan or not, Green Gables will steal your heart. In 1937, the house became part of Prince Edward Island National Park and is now preserved as a historic site.

For true Anne fans, we recommend visiting the L.M. Montgomery Birthplace just outside of Cavendish in the town of New London.

Once you come back to the capital city Charlottetown, check out Confederation Centre of the Arts which runs Canada’s longest-running musical “Anne of Green Gables - the Musical.” Visit Prince Edward Island and see Anne’s house.

Want to learn more? Check out this The Best of PEI Tour.

Fancy yourself a biker? Then grab a map at the nearest tourist office and discover lots of trails of various difficulty levels. The most popular route is the Confederation Trail, which runs from tip to tip across the island. The route follows an old railroad and reveals superb views of rolling hills, bucolic villages, and coastlines.

The flat and well-maintained Confederation Trail is perfect for bikers of all fitness levels.

If you seek the road less traveled, get out on the route from Brackley to Dalvay in the PEI National Park. This cycling trail features the famous red sandstone cliffs of Cavendish and is perfect for families with kids. 

If you're looking for more ideas, you can look to our blog post on cycling in PEI.

You can’t come to Prince Edward Island and not visit one of its gorgeous beaches. With 1100 km (684 mi) of shoreline, the province has some of the best beaches in Canada. To take in red sands, head to Cavendish Beach or Cedar Dunes. These reddish coastlines become even more vibrant when the sun sets over the ocean.

Longing for warmth? Discover Singing Sands Beach at Basin Head Provincial Park. There you’ll find the warmest waters north of Florida. The white sand is known for singing when you walk on it. It’s an ideal place to go for a long swim or shore up your seashell collection. 

Most popular beaches in Prince Edward Island:

• Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island - it features rugged, red sandstone cliffs and is world-famous for its link to the author of "Anne of Green Gables", L.M. Montgomery. You can spend the whole day swimming, building sandcastles, and absorbing some vitamin D.
  
  

• Thunder Cove Beach, Prince Edward Island - it's one of the locals-favored, well-hidden gems in Prince Edward Island. This beach is characterized by sandstone cliffs, columns, and cave formations, which create a beautiful and unique environment. Spend your day exploring or dip your toes into the sea, either way, you'll have a blast!
  
  

• Stanhope Beach, Prince Edward Island - this beach, located in Prince Edward Island National Park is the most suitable for active beach walkers. You can walk as much as 3km in one direction towards the Stanhope Cape or 2km to another towards Dalvay by the Sea.

Lighthouses in PEI are another unique feature of the island. For fantastic views over the island and its red shores, climb to the top of a lighthouse. With more than 60 lighthouses, PEI invites you to feel like a lighthouse keeper. One of the best things to see in Prince Edward Island, Canada is West Point Lighthouse. It serves as a museum, a restaurant, and an inn. If you love the story of the Titanic, you must visit Cape Bear Lighthouse, where the first distress signal from the Titanic was received.

If you love the story of the Titanic, you must visit Cape Bear Lighthouse, where the first distress signal from the Titanic was received.

Each lighthouse tells a different story and will teach you a lot about the past of the province. Just don’t forget to bring your best camera! The views will make your jaw drop.

For more detailed Prince Edward Island lighthouse information, visit the official Prince Edward Island tourism page.

The province of Prince Edward Island is small but has big golf ambitions. Considered the world’s best undiscovered golf destination, PEI has more than 25 amazing golf courses. Whether you’re a novice or a professional golfer, you’re sure to find a course that fits your taste.

One of the best things about golf in PEI is the eye-caressing views. Play golf on the shore or nearby a river. For sweeping ocean views, make sure to check out the Links at Crowbush Cove and Belfast Highland Greens. While the first one is an 18-hole challenge overlooking north shore dunes, the second is a 9-hole delight built on the historic Lord Selkirk Park.

No trip to Prince Edward Island is complete without tasting its famous lobster. Prime lobster seasons are spring (May-June) and fall (August-October). For an unforgettable dining experience, choose New Glasgow Lobster Supper, serving since 1958. Gorge on saltwater boiled lobster served in the shell with clarified butter. All meals include appetizers, salads and desserts. It’s a food feast you won't soon forget!

Yearning for more travel inspiration? Check out our hand-picked tours and activities in Canada and start planning your trip today!