Boating in Prince Edward Island

Boating in Prince Edward Island

Going boating in Prince Edward Island? PEI is Canada’s smallest province. It has 23 beaches and over 1,000 km of coastline. There’s no shortage of boating and water-related activities you can partake in. Although recreational boating is a relatively new past time in PEI it has taken hold. Traditionally the boats were used commercially to net cod or harvest lobster and mussels. There are marinas that offer facilities for recreational boaters that line the island. You can bring your own boat or charter one when you get there. 

No point of land on PEI sits more than 16 kilometers from the sea. Boaters can enjoy scenic views of almost all of the Island’s top destinations. The Island is only 280 kilometers long and no more than 64 kilometers wide. You can tie up your boat in downtown Charlottetown and take a short walk in from the harbour for some nightlife and tasty restaurants.

Cavendish Beach is by far the most popular destination for those who like to soak up the sun. It holds large, red cliffs and picture-perfect views. There are also a variety of provincial parks that offer beaches. These include Cabot Beach Provincial Park, near Malpeque Harbour as well as Panmure, Lord Selkirk and Red Point Provincial parks.

Jump in a kayak for a day on one of the guided tours. They are offered from the shoreline communities  of Victoria, Morell, Malpeque, North Rustico and Ellerslie. There are other kayak rentals you can use for your own unguided expeditions. Explore coves and bays in shallow rivers and see the Island from a different perspective.

If you’re a golfer, you’ve come to the right place. There are 30 courses to choose from, so no shortage of choice.

With a length of around 175 nautical miles, it encompasses all of the Maritimes. It’s a tidal body of water between Prince Edward Island and the coast of eastern New Brunswick and northern Nova Scotia. While enjoying your boating adventure on the Strait, you will find relatively no fog, warm weather and prevailing westerly/southwesterly moderate breezes. The few hazards that do exist are well charted and typically a short chop will likely build after a 24-hour period of consistent winds. However, wave heights are typically less than a metre. July to September offers the most pleasant boating weather with the last two weeks in July through to the first week of August. This is generally see you see the most vessels traveling. Many of these boats make their way to the Bras d’Or Lake of Cape Breton Island.

Marinas are plentiful and usually open from the beginning of May until October. There are fishing wharves along the Strait which are accommodating to pleasure boaters although you should be on the lookout during lobster season for pot buoys.

Located at the Island’s most northwesterly point, North Cape is famous for its natural rock reef where the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Northumberland Strait meet. This is home to the longest rock reef in North America. When the tide is out you can walk the reef and seeseals, seabirds along with other marine life. You can take a trip to see the Lighthouse which has been in service since 1866.

The city of Summerside offers a host of attractions such as the Harbourfront Jubilee Theatre. It hosts musical and theatrical performances throughout the summer. Head east along the southern coast of the island where you will pass under the Confederation Bridge and into the port of Charlottetown. Boaters that arrive in Charlottetown can dock at Quatermaster Marine – a full-service marina at Peakes Quay.