If you are planning a Canadian road trip and asking yourself is Prince Edward Island worth visiting?, you are in the right place.

We spent six weeks exploring Prince Edward Island during our road trip through Eastern Canada, and we can confidently say it was one of our favourite places on the entire trip.

Every 15 minutes we seemed to discover something new: a lighthouse, a beach, a beautiful provincial park that made us want to stop and stay longer.

If you are wondering whether this island deserves a place on your itinerary, the short answer is yes, absolutely.

Below we answer some of the most common questions travellers have before visiting Prince Edward Island.

Is Prince Edward Island Worth Visiting?

Yes, Prince Edward Island is absolutely worth visiting.

During our road trip through the east side of Canada, this island quickly became one of our favourite stops. We originally planned to stay for three weeks, but we ended up staying six weeks because there was always another beautiful place to explore.

What makes the island special is how easy it is to move around and discover new places. Within just a short drive you can find:

• Scenic lighthouses
• Long red-sand beaches
• Charming small towns
• Beautiful provincial parks
• Stunning coastal views

We highly, highly recommend adding Prince Edward Island to your road trip through Eastern Canada.

Where Is Prince Edward Island Located?

Prince Edward Island is located on the east coast of Canada, in the Atlantic region.

It is an island province situated in the Northumberland Strait, between the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

There are two main ways to reach the island:

• Confederation Bridge, which connects the island to New Brunswick
• Northumberland Ferries, which connect the island to Nova Scotia

The ferry crossing takes about 75 minutes and is a nice experience if you want to enjoy the ocean views.

Prince Edward Island Population

According to the most recent Canadian census, Prince Edward Island has a population of about 182,000 people, making it the smallest province in Canada by population and land area.

Despite its small size, the island offers an incredible amount of natural beauty and places to explore.

How Big Is Prince Edward Island?

Prince Edward Island covers about 5,660 square kilometers, making it the smallest province in Canada.

If you drive directly from one side of the island to the other without stopping, it takes roughly three hours.

However, we really recommend taking your time. The beauty of PEI is not just driving across it, but stopping along the way, visiting small towns, walking on beaches, and exploring the provincial parks.

What Is the History of Prince Edward Island?

Long before Europeans arrived, the island was home to the Mi’kmaq people, who called the island Epekwitk, which means “cradled on the waves.” The Mi’kmaq lived across the region for thousands of years, travelling between the island and the mainland and relying on fishing, hunting, and seasonal movements across the land and sea.

In the 1700s, French settlers known as the Acadians also began living in the region. Many Acadian communities still exist today across Atlantic Canada. During our visit, we stopped at the Acadian Museum in Miscouche, where we learned that descendants of Acadian families still live on Prince Edward Island.

Later, the island became part of the British colonies and eventually joined Canada in 1873. Even though the meetings that led to Canadian Confederation took place in Charlottetown in 1864, Prince Edward Island itself did not join the country until several years later.

What Is Prince Edward Island Known For?

Prince Edward Island is known for several things:

The Birthplace of Confederation

The island played an important role in Canadian history. The Charlottetown Conference in 1864, which eventually led to the creation of Canada as a country, took place here.

Interestingly, Prince Edward Island itself did not immediately join Confederation, but the meetings that started the process happened on the island.

Potato Production

Prince Edward Island is also famous for its potatoes, which are produced in large quantities across the island.

There is even a place called the Canadian Potato Museum & Antique Farm Machinery Museum, which we visited to learn more about how important potato farming is on the island.

Red Sand Beaches

One of the most unique things about the island is its red coastline, created by the iron-rich sandstone soil that erodes into the ocean.

Lighthouses

The island is home to more than 60 historic lighthouses, many of which can still be visited today.

Best places to visit in Prince Edward Island

During our six weeks on the island, we discovered so many beautiful places. One of the things we loved most about Prince Edward Island is how easy it is to find something special around every corner.

Here are some of our favourite places on the island.

Visit the Lighthouses

Prince Edward Island has dozens of lighthouses along its coastline, and visiting them quickly became one of our favourite activities.

Some of the most iconic ones are located at North Cape and East Point, marking the western and eastern ends of the island. If we are not mistaken, there are around seven lighthouses that you can actually explore inside.

One of our favorites was West Point Lighthouse, which is unique because it also operates as a small inn. Yes, you can actually stay inside the lighthouse, which is something we would love to try on a future visit.

Explore Charlottetown

Charlottetown, the capital of Prince Edward Island, is a lovely city to explore and a great base while visiting the island.

In the summer, the city feels very lively with events, restaurants, and beautiful waterfront views. One of our favourite moments was watching the sunset from the Charlottetown harbour.

We also loved visiting the Charlottetown Library, spending time at the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market, and walking through Victoria Park, which has beautiful views of the water. Another fun thing to do is simply sit by the harbor and watch the cruise ships arriving in the bay.

Visit Summerside

Summerside is the second-largest city on the island and another great place to explore.

We really enjoyed walking along the waterfront boardwalk and exploring the downtown area. It has a relaxed atmosphere and several local restaurants and shops.

One thing we always appreciate while travelling is finding good vegan options, and we were happy to discover a restaurant in Summerside that offered some great plant-based dishes.

Visit the Provincial Parks

Prince Edward Island has many small but beautiful provincial parks, many of them located directly along the coastline.

These parks are perfect places to stop during a road trip. Some offer beach access, picnic areas, and short walking trails, making them ideal for spending a few hours enjoying the ocean views.

Drive to Both Ends of the Island

One experience we highly recommend is driving to both ends of Prince Edward Island.

Visiting North Cape Lighthouse on the western tip and East Point Lighthouse on the eastern side is a great way to experience the full length of the island and see how the landscape changes along the way.

Visit Anne of Green Gables Sites

If you love literature or simply enjoy visiting cultural landmarks, exploring the Anne of Green Gables locations is a must.

We watched the series on Netflix "Anne with an E" before visiting, and it made the experience even greater. The story was written by L.M. Montgomery, who was from Prince Edward Island, and many places across the island are connected to her life and books.

There are several sites you can visit related to the story, and we really enjoyed exploring these places and learning more about the history behind this beloved character.

What Surprised Us Most About Prince Edward Island

One of the things that surprised us the most was how beautiful every corner of the island is.

Even when we thought we had already seen the best places, we would drive just a few minutes and discover another scenic coastline or quiet beach.

Another surprising thing we learned is that the coastline is slowly eroding. In some places, the island has lost about 15 meters of coastline over the last 50 years.

Knowing this made us appreciate the island even more and reminded us how important it is to visit and protect these places.

What Food Is Prince Edward Island Famous For?

Prince Edward Island is especially known for potatoes, lobster, mussels and seafood.

Since we are vegan, we did not explore the seafood scene much, but we did enjoy visiting a local brewery, and buying local potatoes on the side of the road from a local farm.

One of our favourite experiences was staying at a brewery through Harvest Hosts, which was a really fun stop during our RV trip.

Why Are the Beaches in Prince Edward Island Red?

The famous red beaches of Prince Edward Island are caused by the iron-rich sandstone soil that makes up much of the island.

Over time, the erosion of this soil mixes with the sand along the coastline, giving the beaches their unique red colour.

Are There National Parks in Prince Edward Island?

Yes, there are.

The most well-known is Prince Edward Island National Park, which protects large areas of coastline, dunes, and beaches. We were lucky to find a spot at the campground and stay for a night.

There are also many provincial parks across the island. Some of them are small but incredibly beautiful and perfect for short walks, picnics, or beach visits.

Is Prince Edward Island Safe for Tourists?

Yes, Prince Edward Island is very safe.

During our six weeks on the island, we never experienced any safety issues. People were incredibly friendly, the roads were easy to drive, and the overall atmosphere felt very calm and welcoming.

It also felt very RV-friendly, which made travelling around the island easy.

Is Prince Edward Island English or French Speaking?

Prince Edward Island is mainly English-speaking.

According to census data, the vast majority of residents speak English as their first language. French is also spoken by some communities, but during our trip we were able to communicate entirely in English without any problems.

During our visit, we went to the Acadian Museum in Miscouche and learned that descendants of Acadians also live in PEI, where French is still maintained.

Who Is Prince Edward Island Ideal For?

Prince Edward Island is a destination that can appeal to many different types of travellers.

It’s a wonderful place for RV travellers, since the island is easy to drive around and there are plenty of campgrounds and overnight options. During our time there, we found it very RV-friendly.

It’s also great for families, especially in the summer. There are beaches, provincial parks, small towns to explore, and many outdoor activities that make it easy to spend time outside.

If you enjoy road trips, Prince Edward Island is also perfect. Distances between towns are short.

And finally, it’s an ideal destination for people who enjoy quiet places and a slower pace of travel. One of the things we loved most about the island is that many areas are not crowded at all. In several beaches and parks we often felt like we had the space almost entirely to ourselves.

In summary, Prince Edward Island is definitely a destination worth adding to your list.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Prince Edward Island?

We highly recommend visiting in summer.

Summer on the island is beautiful. The weather is warm, many events and festivals take place, and the sunsets along the coast are incredible.

We also stayed on the island for part of the fall, and we noticed that autumn arrives slightly later here compared to nearby provinces. When we left in mid-September, the trees were still green while Nova Scotia already had orange and yellow colors.

How Many Days Should You Spend in Prince Edward Island?

Some people say you can drive across the island in just a few hours, and technically that’s true.

But we really recommend staying at least one week if you want to enjoy the island properly.

That gives you time to explore the East Point and North Cape, visit several lighthouses, walk along the beaches, explore provincial parks, and enjoy small towns.

We stayed six weeks, and we never felt bored.

Is Prince Edward Island Good for RV Travel?

Yes, Prince Edward Island is excellent for RV travel.

We travelled with our 24-foot RV, and moving around the island was very easy.

There are many:

• Campgrounds
• Harvest Hosts locations
• Places listed on iOverlander

We never had trouble finding places to stay.

How to Get to Prince Edward Island

By bridge

The Confederation Bridge connects Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick.

The drive across the bridge takes about 10 minutes, and it is a very easy crossing.

When you enter the island, you do not pay anything. When you leave the island, you must pay the toll.

by ferry

You can also reach the island by ferry from Nova Scotia.

The crossing takes about 75 minutes, and the experience is actually very enjoyable. We left the island using the ferry and timed it with sunset, which made the trip even more beautiful.

When we crossed with our 24-foot RV, we paid about 68 CAD, but prices may change.

By Sea (Cruise Ships)

Charlottetown is one of the main cruise ports in Atlantic Canada. Many cruise ships stop there during the season, usually for one day.

Is Prince Edward Island Good for a Road Trip?

Yes, Prince Edward Island is perfect for a road trip.

You can easily drive around the entire island and discover new places along the way. The distances between towns are short, and the scenery changes quickly.

For us, it turned into a six-week road trip around the island, exploring both the east and west sides.

Important Things to Know Before Visiting Prince Edward Island

A few things that may help you plan your trip:

• Summer is the best season for activities
• The capital city is Charlottetown
• The second largest city is Summerside
• Distances between towns are short
• The island is very friendly and easy to explore

RV Tips

If you are travelling by RV and asking yourself is Prince Edward Island worth visiting for van life or boondocking, the answer is yes. It worked very well for us.

However, planning ahead helps. Make sure you know where your next water refill or dumping station is located, especially in Charlottetown, where it was surprisingly difficult to find one.

We used the iOverlander app throughout our six-week trip and found reliable overnight spots across the province.

Campgrounds are well maintained, and many towns are RV-friendly, but having a rough plan makes the experience much smoother.

How to Get Around Prince Edward Island

Getting around Prince Edward Island is quite easy, and one of the things we loved most about travelling there is how short the distances are between places. Often, a 10- to 15-minute drive can take you to a completely new town, beach, or lighthouse.

Driving Your Own Car or RV

Driving is by far the easiest way to explore the island. During our six weeks there, we travelled around the entire island with our RV and never had any major issues.

Most roads are in good condition and the drives are very scenic. There were a few places, especially on the eastern side of the island, where the roads were not in perfect condition, but they were still manageable and nothing that prevented us from exploring.

Having your own vehicle makes it much easier to stop along the coast, visit small towns, and explore the many provincial parks across the island.

Car Rental in prince Edward Island

If you are flying into the island, renting a car is probably the best option. There is an airport in Charlottetown where you can find several rental companies.

Having a car will give you the flexibility to explore the island at your own pace and reach places that are harder to access with public transportation.

Biking in prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island is also a fantastic place for cycling. Some travellers even bike across the entire island through the Confederation Trail, which runs across large parts of the island. Aldo biked 20 km each way (40 km in total) from Alberton to Tignish, and it was quite an experience.

If you enjoy biking, this can be a beautiful way to experience the landscape.

Walking

We also spent a lot of time walking, especially in towns like Charlottetown and Summerside. Both places have pleasant waterfront areas where it’s nice to take a walk, sit by the water, or simply enjoy the views.

Many beaches, parks, and lighthouse areas are also very walkable.

Overall, getting around Prince Edward Island is easy, which is part of what makes the island such a great place for a road trip.

Conclusion: Is Prince Edward Island worth visiting?

Yes, Prince Edward Island is absolutely worth visiting.

For us, it became one of the most memorable parts of our road trip through Eastern Canada. The red beaches, lighthouses, small coastal towns, and friendly people made the island a place we would happily return to again.

In fact, we loved it so much that we even thought that if we ever moved somewhere else in Canada, Prince Edward Island would be high on our list.

Leaving the island felt a little bit sad, which is usually a good sign that a place is truly special.

If you enjoy road trips, scenic drives, and discovering new places, Prince Edward Island is worth adding to your East Coast Canada itinerary.

If you’re exploring more of Eastern Canada, don’t miss our other New Brunswick guides too:

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