Eastern Canada Road Trip: Discover the Best PEI Lighthouses
With rolling green hills, crystal clear waters and red sand dunes, Prince Edward Island has one of the most scenic coastlines in the world. Though of course, Prince Edward Island’s Atlantic coast would be unrecognizable without its iconic red and white lighthouses.
With 63 of the historic beacons dotting the island’s landscape, you can take your time driving across breathtaking coastal highways, drinking in panoramic views of ocean sunsets and the island’s famous red sand dunes. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best PEI lighthouses locals recommend every visitor checks out. And what better way to explore all six than during an Eastern Canada road trip?
West Point Lighthouse
The tallest lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, the West Point Lighthouse has shone bright on the western-most coast of PEI since 1875. It also has the distinction of being the very first lighthouse in Canada to double as an inn.
The West Point Lighthouse features a square tapered design with a unique black-and-white paint scheme, rather than the more traditional white-and-red.
Located in Cedar Dunes Provincial Park, you can also enjoy a picnic on the area’s sandy beach and sight-see along the island’s western cape.
Image by Dennis Jarvis via Flickr.
North Cape Lighthouse
When French explorer Jacques Cartier first ventured across the northern cape of Prince Edward Island in 1534, he noted the treacherous reef that ran along it and presented a grave threat to passing ships. Today, we know that the North Cape reef is one of the longest in North America, running at least five miles.
That’s why the North Cape Lighthouse was erected in 1865, to protect trade vessels from the vicious shoals lying beneath the water’s surface. Today, it’s a popular destination for fans of PEI lighthouses, thanks to its unique octagonal shape characteristic of beacons built before Confederation.
Image by Dennis Jarvis via Flickr.
Seacow Head Lighthouse
Not only one of the most whimsically named PEI lighthouses, but it also happens to be one of only three in the province to sport an octagonal wooden frame. The Seacow Head Lighthouse is famous for its multiple guest appearances on the beloved Canadian TV series, The Road to Avonlea, which retold the story of Anne of Green Gables.
Looking out over the Atlantic from atop a stunning red cliff, the Seacow Head Lighthouse is one of the most frequently photographed PEI lighthouses, and is truly one of the most scenic spots on the island.
Point Prim Lighthouse
Located just a scenic, 45-minute drive from Charlottetown, the Point Prim Lighthouse has the honour of being Prince Edward Island’s oldest lighthouse. Standing at the mouth of Hillsborough Bay and Charlottetown Harbour, the Point Prim Lighthouse has guided traffic into the province’s capital since 1845. It also has the distinction of being the only round lighthouse on the island and the only one made of brick. Better yet — it’s one of the PEI lighthouses that are open to the public in the summer.
Wood Islands Lighthouse
Journey to the southernmost point of the province, and you’ll come across this scenic, 16.5 metre tall lighthouse standing guard over the Northumberland Strait. One of the last PEI lighthouses to be fully automated, the Wood Islands Lighthouse is now open to the public and houses an interactive museum that pays tribute to the area’s rich history.
For instance, not only does it feature an exhibition on one of the island’s most famous Prohibition-era rumrunners, but legends also speak of a burning ghost ship that’s haunted the coastline for 200 years.
North Rustico Harbour Lighthouse
Located in a quaint fishing town on the northern coast of Prince Edward Island, the North Rustico Harbour Lighthouse stands at 12.4 metres in height and has stood guard over the village since 1876. While you’re in the area, be sure to enjoy a fresh lobster dinner and perhaps even charter a fishing journey of your own.
Looking for more attractions to add to your Eastern Canada road trip? Follow in the footsteps of Anne of Green Gables in Cavendish with these iconic landmarks.