We would like to visit the National Park area. What is the best area to see in two days? Is there a hidden treasure to see on the Island? Where would a good place to stay and base out of to see the Island?

Hi Cyndi,

Greetings from Prince Edward Island! I’m pleased to know you’re thinking of visiting our province this year.

Before you head to the PEI National Park, it’s important to know that when Hurricane Fiona swept across the Island on September 23, 2022, many areas were severely impacted. Recovery efforts are underway by the dedicated staff, and will continue throughout the 2023 season.

I haven’t visited the PEI National Park since Hurricane Fiona, so I reached out to two friends who work there to ask for their advice. So much has changed as a result of the hurricane and I want to provide you with the most accurate information available. Below is what they recommended for your upcoming visit:

• Drive from Cavendish to North Rustico, as this route offers breathtaking views of the red cliffs on the North Shore. There are a couple of lookout points along the way where you can stop and enjoy the view.
• Check out the beach at Covehead and the nearby lighthouse. While there, plan to eat at Richard’s Seafood (this is an exceptionally popular restaurant with visitors and locals alike, so give yourselves lots of time for your meal). From there, drive to historic Dalvay-by-the-Sea Hotel - you might recognize it, as it was featured as the White Sands Hotel in the Anne of Green Gables movie in the late 1980s!
• Plan to spend some time at the PEI National Park - Greenwich, which is a 50-minute drive from Charlottetown. The staff at the Visitor Information Centre will explain the dune system in the area. The Greenwich Dunes Trail is beautiful - it leads to a floating boardwalk with a spectacular view of the parabolic dunes (the beach is on the other side).
• Visit Rocky Point, which is a 20-minute drive from Charlottetown. There, you’ll find the Skmqan-Port-La-Joye-Fort-Amherst National Historic Site, which is rich in history involving the Mi’Kmaq, French and British. There is also a small trail system that offers views of the Charlottetown Harbour.

My friends emphasized that although the views have changed in the National Park as a result of Hurricane Fiona, the beaches are still fantastic and the sand dunes are regenerating. The sand dunes are very fragile, so it’s extremely important to stay on designated pathways and beach entry points – in other words, please don’t climb the dunes!

Beyond the PEI National Park, you might also enjoy spending some time in Victoria-by-the-Sea, a sweet village on the Island’s south shore that has a lot to offer. Also, North Rustico is one of the Island’s most picturesque fishing villages. Both of these villages are centrally located, and offer excellent accommodation options (I recommend you book your reservations in advance, as they are quite popular with visitors). Search accommodations for Red Sands Shore for Victoria-by-the Sea and Green Gables Shore for North Rustico area.

You might also enjoy an excursion through Prehistoric Island Tours, which offers 90-minute, 1 km-long shoreline tours along one of PEI’s most significant fossil sites/ This is on our summer 2023 bucket list!

I hope this information is helpful. If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again!

Nicole