A colourful little land of ruby and emerald and sapphire
Cavendish Beach, with its miles of white sand and impressive red cliffs, is most impressive. It is joined to the beach at North Rustico by the Gulf Shore Parkway, which is dotted with look-offs and beach access points. Hugging the coastline, the parkway is twinned with a popular lane for biking or walking. The PEI National Park also features Cavendish Grove, a day-use area named for a stand of sugar maple trees, which is home to multiple trails. When in the area, take advantage of the interpretive programs on topics ranging from beach ecology and wildlife to geology and archaeology.
A famous shipwreck
While Venetian explorer Marco Polo didn’t venture into these parts, a clipper ship by his name did. Built in New Brunswick in the mid-19th century, the Marco Polo carried passengers between England and Australia for several years. When it was retired from ferry service, it was used in the coal and timber trade. In 1883, the Marco Polo was caught in a severe storm in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The captain ran the ship ashore in Cavendish so it wouldn’t be smashed on the rocks. Relics from the shipwreck can still be found in some local homes today.
![The Marco Polo PEI Connection Tommy Gallant of Stanley Bridge sits on a sofa with relics of Marco Polo sitting on table in front of him](/sites/default/files/styles/wide/public/media/images/marco%20polo_tommy-gallant.png?itok=WrNBBsej)
The late Tommy Gallant (1922-2012), a fisherman of Stanley Bridge, found the wreck of the Marco Polo in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, just near Cavendish, in the 1980s. Here, he displays anchor chain links from the wreck. (Source: Gallant Family Collection)
A bank with history
A short drive from here is the Farmers Bank of Rustico, North America’s smallest chartered bank. Beginning in 1864, it operated in the village of Rustico for 30 years, accepting deposits and providing loans. Its model of credit enabled the community to be economically independent and proved that villagers could successfully operate a financial institution without the assistance of banking experts. Like credit unions, which came later, the bank returned most of its profits to its shareholders as dividends. To learn more about early Acadian life, visit the Farmers Bank and Doucet House.
![Farmer's Bank and Doucet House, South Rustico Farmer's Bank and Doucet House, South Rustico, in summer](/sites/default/files/styles/wide/public/media/images/JSP-Doucet_House_Farmers_Bank-2013.jpg?itok=CcZwt53L)
A storybook vacation
Find your own storybook vacation in Cavendish, where romance, family fun, epic adventures and relaxation mingle in harmony. No matter what your style or pace, you’ll create memories to last a lifetime.