15 Things to Do on a Points East Coastal Drive Road Trip

Last Updated on September 3, 2024

The Points East Coastal Drive is the region of Prince Edward Island that is east of Charlottetown. In this region of the Island, you’ll experience everything that PEI is famous for: iconic red cliffs, historic lighthouses, beautiful beaches, traditional music, seafood, and more.  

The Points East Coastal Drive is accessible by car, and distances between notable locations in the region are fairly short, making it perfect for a Prince Edward Island road trip. 

Along the way, you can stay in unique accommodation (like a floating wine barrel!), go on an e-bike tour to lighthouses and beaches, visit Prince Edward Island’s tallest sand dunes on the Greenwich Dunes Trail, or join a ring-making class at Shoreline Design. 

Read on to learn 15 of the best things to do on a Points East Coastal Drive road trip.

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Where to Stay in Eastern Prince Edward Island

Points East Coastal Drive is a pretty concentrated region of Prince Edward Island. Most drives between locations in this region will range from 15 minutes to maximum an hour. 

Given this, it isn’t inconvenient to settle into one accommodation for your whole stay, as long as you’re okay with driving stretches of 1 hour on some days. 

Alternatively, you can book into accommodations that are local to the specific area you’re visiting on each day of your trip. Below are three recommended accommodation options, each of which are in a different area of Points East Coastal Drive. 

Miracles on Polly

Miracles on Polly  is a creative vacation getaway with fairy-tale inspired cabin rentals that are open year-round on Polly Hill in Belfast, PEI. 

The cabins are beautifully and creatively decorated, with fast WiFi, and fully outfitted kitchens. There is a beautiful view of a small river, with a small bench and seating area for reflection, a sauna, and short walking trails on the property.

Mysa Nordic Spa

Mysa Nordic Spa, which is Prince Edward Island’s first Nordic spa and resort, offers beautiful water-view cottages for rent. The cottages come equipped with air conditioning, fireplaces, lounge areas, private bathrooms, and a coffee station.  

Located on beautiful St. Peter’s Harbour, Mysa Nordic Spa is committed to sustainable tourism, with a goal of eventually becoming 100% sustainable and 100% energy self-sufficient. When you stay in their cottages, you’ll have convenient access to Mysa’s thermal spa facilities, and their restaurant. 

Nellie’s Landing

Nellie’s Landing is a small, family-run marina in the scenic fishing village of Murray Harbour. They offer a few types of fun, comfortable accommodations, including floating wine barrels and houseboats! 

When you stay at Nellie’s Landing, you can rent e-bikes to go on a cycling tour in the surrounding area, use their kayaks, and hang out in their on-site bar, The Dirty Sail, which often hosts events. 

15 Things to Do on a Points East Coastal Drive Road Trip 

Whether you have 4 days on Prince Edward Island, a week, or longer, you won’t want to miss the Points East Coastal Drive.

Ready to road-trip eastern Prince Edward Island? Here’s 15 things to do on your Points East Coastal Drive.

1. Point Prim Lighthouse

Point Prim Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, and it’s the only round brick lighthouse on PEI. It was designed by the architect, Isaac Smith, who also created Province House in Charlottetown, and was built in 1845, by Richard Walsh.  

Point Prim Lighthouse rises 60 feet up above the ground, which means from the top, you have great views of the Northumberland Strait. For a small fee, you can climb the steep ladders up through the lighthouse, reading informational placards along the way. 

I also recommend strolling the grounds. There are informational display boards to read that give you an overview of the lighthouse’s history, and there is a gift shop in the Keeper’s Cottage.

You’ll likely spend an hour or two at Point Prim Lighthouse. If you start getting hungry while there, you’re in luck. Near the lighthouse is a famous seafood stop – Point Prim Chowder House!

2. Visit Montague

Often called Montague the Beautiful, this cute little town is built around the river. It has a small harbour where you’ll see lots of boats coming and going. 

Plan to spend 1 to 2 hours in Montague. You’ll want to walk the Montague Waterfront for a view of the harbour. While in that area, pop into Artisan’s Waterfront. It’s a gallery that functions as a cooperative made up of juried artists and artisans from PEI. There you can admire and purchase handcrafted items like felting, hooked rugs, knitting, paintings, and more.

Montague is also home to two breweries! Bogside Brewing Co and Copper Bottom Brewing Co make delicious, hand-crafted beers. Both breweries have seating areas where you can enjoy an afternoon beer. If you aren’t in the mood for an alcoholic drink, both breweries offer non-alcoholic options too (including non-alcoholic beer). Or, pick up some cans to enjoy later. 

Montague, Prince Edward Island

3. E-Bike Tour to Cape Bear Lighthouse

E-bikes are a great way to see the countryside with the freedom of stopping whenever you please. On an e-bike, you’ll be able to explore the area surrounding Murray’s Harbour in detail. 

If you’ve stayed overnight at Nellie’s Landing, you’ll be all set to start your e-bike tour of the surrounding area in the morning. Otherwise, reserve in advance and arrive in the morning for your tour. 

You have the option to book a guided tour (this is good for large groups), or a self-guided tour. The Nellie’s Landing team has curated three exciting routes for self-guided exploration. The routes are accessible through their website, and load into Google Maps, making it easy to follow them. 

I did the “Scenic Beaches and Lighthouses” self-guided tour which brought me to beautiful, quiet beaches, along roads with views of PEI’s famous red cliffs, and to a historic lighthouse.

The length of the e-bike tours depends on your pace. If you do the self-guided tour, I recommend booking a half-day e-bike rental so you have the flexibility of spending 2-3 hours exploring.

4. Cape Bear Lighthouse and Marconi Station

Cape Bear Lighthouse was originally established in 1881, and is still in operation today. Its light is visible for up to 22 kilometers (14 miles).

Cape Bear Marconi Station, which is on the same site, has a unique connection to the RMS Titanic disaster. When you visit Cape Bear Lighthouse, you can view displays that explain this connection and depict the past life of the Cape Bear area.

From the lantern room at the top of the lighthouse, you have an amazing view of the Northumberland Strait and of Nova Scotia. You’ll spot beautiful red cliffs, fishing boats, and more.

At the bottom of Cape Bear Lighthouse is a small gift shop where you can browse crafts made by local artisans. Outside the lighthouse are several picnic tables for public use. 

5. Lake Explorer Kayaking Experience

Go for a beautiful guided paddle that will take you up a tranquil still-water creek, through an area known locally as “The Forks.” 

Nature Space Resort is a family-run resort that aims to help people connect with PEI’s beautiful nature. It’s run by Heather and Jarrod, both of whom are passionate about outdoor exploration and wellness. 

On this 1.5 hour long paddling tour you’ll be given a quick brief on safety and how to paddle a kayak. Once you’re out on the water, you’ll have the chance to spot plenty of birds, like eagles, osprey, herons, kingfisher, and other species. 

Heather and Jarrod at Nature Space Resort also offer yoga classes, wellness and mindfulness retreats, and culinary adventures!

6. Mysa Nordic Spa

 Mysa Nordic Spa is Prince Edward Island’s first Nordic spa and resort. Located on beautiful St. Peter’s Harbour, Mysa has water-view cabins, thermal experiences, spa services, and a restaurant. Mysa Nordic Spa is committed to sustainable tourism, with a goal of eventually becoming 100% sustainable and 100% energy self-sufficient.  

You can purchase a day-pass to enjoy the thermal experience which alternates hot, cold, and rest to release tension and help you relax. The thermal spa is not included with cottage rentals, so if you book to stay overnight in one of Mysa’s cottages, be sure to book your spa passes as well.

The Nordic spa is outdoors, with gorgeous views of St. Peter’s Bay. There are two thermal baths to soak in, as well as a cold plunging pool, and several saunas. One of my favourite features is the relaxation room – a quiet, bright room where you can comfortably lounge in silence. It’s a simple room, but it made me very relaxed! 

7. Greenwich, PEI National Park

The Greenwich Dunes Trail is a popular hiking trail that includes a walk over a pond on an extensive floating boardwalk out to one of PEI’s most famous beaches. 

As you walk the trail, you’ll have views of the parabolic dune system that borders the white sand beaches. You may also spot beautiful birds – including Canadian geese!

Be sure to factor in enough time to enjoy Greenwich Beach, which is the ending point of the trail before you turn back around. Bring a bathing suit in case you’d like to go for a swim!

This trail is 4.6 kilometers and takes about 45 minutes to complete each direction. It’s an out-and-back trail with very little elevation gain. There is one section where you climb over a sand dune with the help of some sandy stairs. This part is a little steep, but it’s short!

There are public toilets at the start of the trail, just off of the parking lot. 

Sand dunes in PEI National Park are environmentally sensitive areas. Please do your part in being a responsible tourist while in PEI by never walking or climbing on the dunes. Use designated beach access paths only.

8. Shops at St. Peter’s Landing

St. Peter’s Landing is where you’ll find a variety of shops selling pottery and paintings by local Island artisans, delicious locally produced chocolate, ice cream, and a fresh seafood market and oyster bar.  

If you’re a fan of oysters, be sure to pop into Julio’s Seafood Market for an educational tasting at the oyster bar. Another dining option nearby is Rick’s Fish & Chips and Seafood House.

9. St. Peter’s Harbour and Beach

St. Peters Harbour was one of the first French settlements on PEI. The original St. Peters Harbour Lighthouse was built in the late 1800s. 

Today, a small group of local homeowners, cottagers, and business folks have made it their mission to maintain and preserve the lighthouse as well as the history and heritage of the old St Peters Harbour area.

When you arrive, be sure to spend a few minutes admiring the restored lighthouse, which is nestled among the sand dunes. Then, head down to the beach to enjoy an hour or two of sunbathing and swimming! 

The sand dunes at St. Peter’s Harbour are an environmentally sensitive area. Please do your part in being a responsible tourist while in PEI by never walking or climbing on the dunes. Use designated beach access paths only.

10. Ring Making at Shoreline Design

Shoreline Design is the largest manufacturer of hand made and custom sterling silver jewelry in the Atlantic provinces, and you’ll visit their location in Georgetown.

The shop was started by Peter Llewellyn, a local Islander who decided one day that he needed a career shift – which led him to silver working! Today, there’s a Shoreline Design shop in Georgetown, Summerside, and Halifax.

You can visit the Shoreline Design shop in Georgetown to browse Peter’s beautiful silver jewelry products. But for a more immersive experience, book the “Make-You-Own-Ring” class with Peter!

With this class, you’ll join Peter in the shop at Shoreline Design to make your own textured band silver ring. Peter’s classes are completely hands-on – he’ll guide you through the entire process of making a silver band ring, from imprinting a pattern into the silver, to soldering the ring’s ends together.  

A bonus of the experience is that you get to spend an hour with Peter! He’s a fun and hilarious guy, and a joy to chat with. He had me laughing the whole time when I visited his shop for the ring-making class.

11. Visit Georgetown

Georgetown is a small, historic town full of brightly painted homes and lovely shops. It’s a very walkable town, so I recommend finding a spot to park, and exploring the area on foot. 

Georgetown developed as a vital port and trading center during the 19th century, which meant that the town played an important role in the Confederation of Canada. During the Confederation discussions in 1864, which led to the formation of Canada, PEI was initially hesitant about joining. 

What persuaded the Island’s leaders to join was the promise of economic benefits and improved infrastructure. Georgetown’s importance as a trading and transportation center made it a key player in the negotiations, and PEI officially joined Confederation in 1873. 

In Georgetown, take a look at the historic King’s Playhouse, where you can watch theatrical shows. Adjoining the theater are the A.A. MacDonald Memorial Gardens, a beautiful garden for a walk and some photo opps. 

Be sure to pop into the Maroon Pig for coffee, baked goods, and sweets, and if you’re ready for a sit-down meal, have lunch at the Wheelhouse.

You can also get out on the water with Tranquility Cove Adventures, which operates out of Georgetown. They offer clam digging tours, deep sea fishing tours, and if you happen to be on PEI in the colder months – an ice fishing for oysters experience! 

12. Enjoy Local Ciders

Double Hill Cidery grows 16 different varieties of cider apples, and they make both old world and new world ciders. Double Hill Cidery isn’t afraid to break free from tradition – they experiment with many different ingredients.

Double Hill Cidery has a beautiful tasting venue perched on top of a hill. There’s an outdoor cider bar, lots of outdoor seating (with gorgeous views of the surrounding area), a covered lounge, and a tent, just in case it rains. 

You can do a tasting of various ciders, or simply get a glass of the one that captures your fancy. Non-alcoholic cider is available, as well as other non-alcoholic drinks. If you’d like, you can grab some ciders to take with you for later from their bottle shop. 

13. Basin Head Provincial Park

Basin Head Provincial Park is a day-use park that’s known for its beautiful beach, and iconic red cliffs. There’s public washrooms, showers, as well as concessions on-site. The beach is supervised, and outfitted with a beach mat. 

Basin Head Provincial Park also has a small fisheries museum, where you can pop in to learn the story of PEI’s historic inshore fishery. The museum’s displays and exhibits bring you back to the old days of the fishing industry on the Island. 

When visiting Basin Head Provincial Park, be sure to walk down to the far end of the west side of the beach. Here you’ll be able to see beautiful red cliffs. Just be sure to stay safe – keep a few feet away from the cliffs, and watch for falling rocks.

A short drive from Basin Head Provincial Park is The Lobster Shack. If you’re craving lobster, this is the place to go! You can choose your size of lobster, which comes freshly cooked, and enjoy it on their outdoor patio. 

14. East Point Lighthouse

East Point Lighthouse is located at the most eastern tip of PEI. The lighthouse, which was originally built in 1867, is 64 feet tall. During opening hours, you can climb 67 steps (5 flights!) to the top of the lighthouse, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic ocean, Northumberland Strait, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

From June to September East Point Lighthouse is open daily, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. You can take a guided tour of the lighthouse, where you’ll learn about the history of the lighthouse and the 5 lighthouse keepers who manned the light from 1867-1989. You also have the option to go on a self-guided visit of East Point Lighthouse.  

15. Attend a Local Ceilidh

A ceilidh is a social gathering that highlights traditional music, dance, and stories of Prince Edward Island.

Back in the day, ceilidhs (also known as kitchen parties) were held at someone’s home. People would gather on a weekend to sing, dance, and enjoy music together. These days, ceilidhs are often hosted in public spaces like churches, community centers, and pubs. 

The best way to find a ceilidh to attend while on the Points East Coastal Drive is by checking local event listings. This local event listing calendar is kept up to date with upcoming ceilidhs (and other events, too!). 

Final Thoughts: Road-Trip Prince Edward Island Responsibly

The Points East Coastal Drive on Prince Edward Island will give you a well-rounded taste of Island life. You’ll enjoy scenic views, beaches, seafood, and a variety of activities, from a ring-making class to kayaking!

As with traveling anywhere, it’s important to practice responsible tourism when visiting PEI. Here are some tips to get you started: 

• Many of the sand dunes on Prince Edward Island are an environmentally sensitive area. Please avoid walking or climbing on the dunes and instead use designated beach access paths only.

• When hiking on PEI, stay on the marked trail, don’t feed wildlife, and be sure to pack in and pack out (this means don’t leave any waste behind). Following the rules of packing in and packing out is a great way to be a sustainable tourist. 

• Do your best to support local businesses versus corporate entities – Instead of McDonalds for breakfast, head to a family-run diner! By spending your money with local tour guides, locally owned guesthouses, and in other small businesses, you can directly support PEI’s communities.

I want to thank Tourism PEI and Points East Coastal Drive for hosting me as media. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

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