Points East Coastal Drive Prince Edward Island

Points East Coastal Drive

Are you a fan of swimming, sunbathing, or leisurely strolls along pristine beaches? Do you enjoy golfing on top-notch courses, or fishing off wharves or in deep-sea waters? How about indulging in fresh seafood and farm-to-table meals at cozy restaurants and cafes, or settling into luxurious 5-star inns? Perhaps you love hiking or biking along coastal trails, kayaking in serene bays, or birdwatching in peaceful surroundings. If driving along quiet country roads dotted with fruit & vegetable stands, browsing charming craft shops, or exploring fishing villages and chasing lighthouses excites you, then the Points East Coastal Drive on Prince Edward Island is a must-visit destination that offers all this and more.

St. Peters

Scenic & tucked away from the bustle of central PEI lies the charming village of St. Peters. This is where I began my exploration of Points East Coastal Drive. You will find stately churches, breathtaking coastal views, and a charming walking bridge that adds to the area's allure. Among the village's gems is Freckles & Porcelain, a boutique inspired by a vintage bathing suit. Owned by the talented artist Emily Carlaw, this shop is a dreamscape of nostalgic art & design, reminiscent of an old-fashioned general store. Another must-visit in the area is Rick's Fish 'N' Chips & Seafood, where you can savour delicious seafood dishes in a quaint seaside setting. New to the area is Mysa Nordic Spa & Resort, which I hope to visit soon as the reviews are very enticing. It is a serene space, nestled on the banks of St. Peters Bay an 18-acre patch of paradise, that is designed for relieving stress, immersing yourself in nature, and invigorating the senses.

Greenwich National Park

Walking trails, hiking, biking and birding through wetlands, and forests, and beautiful white sand beaches with parabolic sand dunes, makes Greenwich National Park one of the world's top Coastal Destinations by National Geographic. Greenwich Park Beach stretches for miles with majestic sand dunes and ocean views, offering a peaceful and secluded experience. During our visit, we encountered only a handful of people, enjoying the beach on a gloriously hot day. If you prefer a quieter escape to the crowded central PEI beaches, this is the place for you. You might even encounter a curious seabird, silently questioning how you discovered its beach. But, Shhh… let's keep this our little secret.

Confederation Trail

A cyclist’s dream awaits you on the Confederation Trail, especially on the 15 km stretch between St. Peters to Morell. The original railway lines, now since abandoned, have been repurposed & groomed and span the entire island. However, this particular section stands out for its breathtaking beauty. Traverse through farmlands, fields of flowers, and wooded trails with the company of birds & butterflies. Sweeping ocean views accompany you along the way, too, making this stretch the most scenic on the island with more water views than any other part of the trail. The flat terrain makes it suitable for cyclists of all ages, looking for a leisurely ride. Numerous rest stops & picnic spots invite you to pause, soak in the scenery, and capture memorable photographs.

The Links at Crowbush Cove

Spectacular views overlooking the north shore dunes will surely wow the most discerning of golfers at The Links at Crowbush. It just happens to be rated in the top ten golf courses by Score Magazine too. Golf Digest, also rates it 4½ stars for its undulating fairways, water holes, and ocean breezes providing … one of the Island’s toughest challenges. The Links at Crowbush, Brudenell River Golf Course & Dundarave Golf Course are all within a twenty minute drive of where we stayed. My hubby was one happy guy.

North Lake

“Hey, that looks interesting! There’s so much going on and just look at those cute fishing shanties. Let’s go check it out,” I implored my husband, pointing to a fishing harbour off in the distance. Eric knew it was fruitless to argue, so he turned the vehicle towards North Lake and he eyed the ‘Pirates Boathouse Cafe’ as we drove in and went in search of lunch.

Landing Day

I headed for the wharf where all the excitement was. I learned it was ‘Landing Day’ - the last day of the season for lobster fishermen, so I had a blast meeting, talking to, and taking photos of the locals as they unloaded all their traps and gear for the season. While Eric was enjoying a couple fish tacos, I discovered North Lake Harbour is self-declared as the ‘Tuna Capital of the World’. It lays claim to several tuna giants brought in here, and the majority of tuna licensed fishermen from PEI fish from here. It looked more like the ‘Lobster Capital of the World’ today, but I was told Tuna is King here.

East Point Lighthouse

Built in 1866-1867, the East Point Lighthouse was the last lighthouse erected before the Island joined Confederation in 1873. It marks the eastern-most tip of PEI, and it is one of the busiest supports for navigation because of its location. Shipwrecks were plentiful here, as this coast was one of the most difficult to navigate, due to the meeting of the Atlantic Ocean, Northumberland Strait, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence tides.

Basin Head

Basin Head Beach is widely known for its ‘singing sands,’ and is a popular destination for locals, and tourists alike. Go ahead, try it… run through the sand on a hot day, and it will sing away. Apparently this is due to the high silica content in the sand. Basin Head is one of PEI’s provincial parks, so this area has some amenities you might not see elsewhere, including: bathrooms, a canteen, and a few shops. The Basin Head Fisheries Museum is also found here.

Souris

What a cutie this friendly seaside town of Souris is, and just check out these inexpensive Shanty & Stay digs. What a great alternative to camping for hikers, and bikers alike. I am definitely returning here for a closer look sometime.

Souris Lighthouse

We visited Souris lighthouse next, where I met a couple of painters that shared they were participating in the Points East Plein Air Festival. I learned that during this special event, artists set up daily to capture and celebrate the scenery that Eastern PEI has to offer in its picturesque historic town and villages. These artists had been moving daily to different locations so that they could enter several artworks. Participants compete for cash prizes in various categories. I just love coming across these unexpected moments.

Points East Coastal PEI

Points East Coastal PEI has it all with Provincial parks, breathtaking scenery, natural wonders, stunning beaches, biking trails with coastal views, golf courses, hiking, kayaking, deep-sea fishing, birdwatching, artisan treasures, pretty country roads, farmers fields, roadside stands, fishing villages, culinary delights, and lighthouses, too. Start planning your visit, and tell them the Maritimes Maven sent you.

This post was sponsored by Tourism PEI; however all thoughts & opinions are my own. Follow Maritimes Maven on FaceBook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn & Threads. Subscribe to be the first to receive my latest articles. Share articles you love with your social media community so they, too, will discover, There’s No Place Like Home!