Prince Edward Island Travel Guide 2026 — Best Things To Do
Travel writer — I Love Tour Canada
Updated April 2026. Prince Edward Island is Canada’s most pastoral province — red sandstone cliffs, warm-water beaches, the world’s best lobster, and the birthplace of Confederation. Tiny, friendly, and unforgettable.
Why Visit Prince Edward Island?
PEI consistently ranks among Canada’s top travel destinations and one of the world’s best cycling destinations. At 280km long and 60km wide, it’s Canada’s smallest province — but it packs in red sand beaches, exceptional seafood, rolling green farmland, and some of the most genuinely friendly people you’ll encounter anywhere.
PEI at a glance:
- Province size: 5,660 km² (Canada’s smallest province)
- Capital: Charlottetown
- Population: 170,000
- Best known for: Lobster, red sand beaches, cycling, Anne of Green Gables
- Getting there: Fly to YYG (Charlottetown airport) from major Canadian cities, or drive across the Confederation Bridge (13km toll bridge: CAD $50 round trip per car)
Top Things To Do on PEI
1. PEI Beaches
PEI has some of the warmest ocean water north of the Carolinas — the red sandstone heats the shallow water to 20–24°C in July and August. The long, sandy beaches are consistently uncrowded.
Best beaches:
- Cavendish Beach (PEI National Park) — the most famous, gentle waves, family-friendly. Day use: CAD $8–$10/person
- Greenwich Beach (East PEI) — stunning parabolic sand dune system, quieter than Cavendish
- Basin Head (Singing Sands) — sand that “sings” when you walk on it; lagoon swimming
- Brackley Beach — excellent surfing (board rental available, CAD $30–$50/day)
2. Lobster Suppers and Seafood
PEI lobster is world-famous — the cold, clean North Atlantic water makes PEI lobsters exceptionally sweet and firm. The lobster season runs May to December, with peak quality in summer.
Best ways to eat lobster on PEI:
- Church basement lobster suppers: New Glasgow Lobster Suppers, St. Ann’s Church Lobster Supper — whole lobster + chowder + rolls for CAD $45–$65/person. The most authentic PEI experience.
- Lobster on the Wharf: Fresh boiled lobster at Charlottetown waterfront restaurants — CAD $35–$55 for a 1.5lb lobster.
- DIY: Buy live lobster at any fishing wharf (CAD $10–$16/lb) and cook at your cottage.
3. Anne of Green Gables
L.M. Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables” was written on PEI in 1908 — the story is woven into the island’s identity. The Green Gables Heritage Place (Parks Canada, Cavendish) is where the farmhouse setting is preserved.
Green Gables Heritage Place admission: Adults CAD $7.90, Seniors CAD $6.90, Youth free (17 and under).
Other Anne sites: Montgomery’s Birthplace in New London (CAD $5), Avonlea Village in Cavendish (themed experience, CAD $20–$30 for activities).
4. Confederation Trail Cycling
The Confederation Trail is 470km of packed gravel trail that crosses the entire island on a converted railway line — completely flat, car-free, and passes through farms, forests, and fishing villages.
Bike rental: CAD $35–$65/day from numerous shops in Charlottetown, Cavendish, and Summerside. The trail starts at the Confederation Bridge and crosses to the eastern tip.
5. Charlottetown
Canada’s smallest provincial capital has an excellent walkable downtown with great restaurants, live music, the Confederation Centre of the Arts, and the vibrant Charlottetown Farmers Market (Saturdays).
Don’t miss: Peake’s Quay waterfront, Victoria Row (restaurant strip), and the evening walking ghost tour (CAD $18–$25).
6. PEI Potato Harvest Experience
PEI grows 25% of all Canadian potatoes — the red soil potato fields are a quintessential island sight. Several farms offer harvest experiences in September–October.
Getting Around PEI
A car is strongly recommended — the island’s best beaches and Anne sites are spread across 280km. Car rental: from CAD $60–$85/day in Charlottetown.
Cycling is excellent on the Confederation Trail and secondary roads — PEI Tourism has self-guided cycling routes. E-bike rental available in Charlottetown.
Where to Stay on PEI
| Type | Location | Price/Night |
|---|---|---|
| Farm stay / B&B | Rural PEI | CAD $90–$160 |
| Seaside cottage rental | Cavendish / North Shore | CAD $150–$350 |
| Hotel (Charlottetown) | Charlottetown | CAD $120–$250 |
| Rodd Hotels | Various | CAD $130–$250 |
Best area to stay: Cavendish area for beach access; Charlottetown for restaurants, day trips, and culture.
👉 Hotels on PEI on Booking.com — from CAD $90/night
FAQ — Prince Edward Island Travel Guide
What is Prince Edward Island famous for? PEI is famous for four things: lobster (the world’s best, many argue), red sandstone beaches with warm water, Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery’s beloved novel), and being the birthplace of Canadian Confederation (the 1864 Charlottetown Conference). It’s also renowned for cycling — the Confederation Trail is one of Canada’s premier cycling routes.
When is the best time to visit PEI? July and August are peak season — beaches at their best, all attractions open, lobster in peak season. June is excellent (quieter, still warm). September has the fall harvest season, potato festivals, and warm water with fewer crowds. Avoid visiting November to April — many attractions close, the weather is cold and raw, and the island feels very quiet.
How do I get to Prince Edward Island? Fly to Charlottetown (YYG) from Halifax, Montréal, Ottawa, or Toronto with Air Canada or WestJet (from CAD $150–$300 one-way). Or drive across the Confederation Bridge — the 13km toll bridge from Aulac, NB charges CAD $50 round trip (you pay on return, not going over). The bridge takes 10 minutes to drive across and is genuinely impressive.
Is PEI worth visiting for non-Anne fans? Absolutely — if you’ve never read Anne of Green Gables, PEI is still exceptional for beaches, lobster, cycling, and the pastoral island atmosphere. The beaches alone (warm water, red sand, rarely crowded) are worth the trip. Couples, foodies, and cyclists often enjoy PEI more than families specifically visiting for the Anne experience.
Is PEI expensive? PEI is moderately priced and good value compared to major Canadian cities. Budget travelers can spend CAD $100–$150/day (B&B, self-catering, cycling). Mid-range is CAD $200–$300/day (hotel + lobster supper + activities). The main expense is getting there — flights from Toronto can be CAD $300–$500 return if not booked in advance.
Plan Your PEI Trip
👉 PEI tours and experiences on Viator — from CAD $45
👉 Hotels on Prince Edward Island on Booking.com — from CAD $90/night
Written by Alex Tremblay
Rania is a writer and traveler behind I Love Tour Canada. She writes honest travel guides across Canada with real prices in CAD, updated regularly.
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