Where to Go Boating in Prince Edward Island

Going boating in Prince Edward Island (or PEI)? PEI is Canada’s smallest province. It has 23 beaches and over 1,000 km of coastline — there’s no shortage of safe boating and water-related activities you can partake in.

So, with such a small island (but so much coastline), where should you go for your boating and water activities? Here are our top picks for where to boat around Prince Edward Island. 

Although recreational boating is a relatively new pastime in PEI, it has taken hold. Traditionally, boats on the island were used commercially to net cod or harvest lobster and mussels. However, now, marinas line the island, offering facilities for recreational boaters. 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 harbor for some nightlife and tasty restaurants.

Where Should You Go to Enjoy the Island?

Even if you’re not visiting for an adventure on the water, 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.

Next, we’ll cover a few of the best places to take your boat or vessel out on the water. 

With a length of around 175 nautical miles, the Northumberland Strait 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 moderate weather prevailing westerly/southwesterly 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 when 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. You’ll also find plenty of fishing wharves along the Strait, which are accommodating to pleasure boaters, although you should be on the lookout during the 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 see seals, 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 Quartermaster Marine — a full-service marina at Peakes Quay.

Enjoy Safe Adventures When Boating in Prince Edward Island

We hope you now have a good idea of where to plan your next adventure for boating in Prince Edward Island!

Before you go, make sure you know how to stay safe on the water and protect your boat passengers, too. BOATsmart! offers an online boater education course for Canadians to help you learn the essentials of boat and water activity safety. We deliver a fun and simple way to learn what you need to know, pass an exam, and get your boating license so you can legally (and safely) hit the waters in Canada. 

Originally published in December 2018. Content most recently reviewed and updated for accuracy and relevancy October 4, 2024.