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A Coastal Lifestyle
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| Bay Fortune |
© Glenn Saunders |
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Discover Points East Coastal Drive on eastern Prince Edward Island. Expect to be continually surprised at the sheer beauty of this region - the line of cultivated fields stretching to cliff edges, unexpected forests, white farmhouses with laundry blowing in the breeze, a tantalizing stretch of red dirt road leading to a country destination, the clear blue waters of the Northumberland Strait and the Island’s most picturesque fishing harbours. Listen for the sound of the steady drone of the fishing boats traveling effortlessly across the water. Watch farmers work the red soil and smell the wild rose bushes mingled with the salt air. Discover this special place.
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A Coastal Landscape
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| Guernsey Cove |
© Glenn Saunders |
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Like a microcosm of the Island as a whole, Points East Coastal Drive offers diversity encompassing the three major industries of fishing, farming and forestry. A variety of landscape includes red coastal cliffs and amazing white sand beaches, forests and rolling farmland, pastoral rivers, and the ever present ocean with many options for water activities. You’ll experience the sense of peace and quiet, of an unhurried, timeless lifestyle that remains so elusive in today’s busy world.
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Friendly Folks
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Greenwich Beach
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© Glenn Saunders |
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Perhaps what you will feel most strongly in this region is peaceful, old-world qualities. For it is here, away from the crowds and amusement parks, that one can best experience what really personifies Island living – the rural charm of small communities, friendly locals and a diverse natural beauty. Smiling faces abound and Islanders enjoy meeting people that “come from away” and sharing the Island ways. During a friendly chat you will find the best spots to go for music, a feast of lobster or a secluded picnic.
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Celtic Culture Predominates
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Ceilidhs (pronounced ‘kay-lees’) originated as “kitchen parties” and have grown into popular events. For anyone who can play an instrument, sing or dance in the traditional style, many Ceilidhs provide an opportunity to perform, capturing the true essence of these spontaneous musical gatherings. Feel the hospitable charm of the local inhabitants who are of predominantly Irish and Scottish heritage.
Visitors come from across North America to enjoy the Scottish music at the Rollo Bay Fiddle Festival. Kilts and cabers abound at the annual Highland Games held in early August in Eldon at the Lord Selkirk Provincial Park. Piping, highland dancing and traditional athletic competitions pay tribute to the Scottish heritage of the Island. Sign up for the Belfast Highland Greens Golf tournament and be sure to wear a kilt.
Native Mi’kmaq people honor their spiritual traditions at the Abegweit Pow Wow held annually in mid August. The cliffside views from the Panmure Island grounds provide the perfect backdrop for this celebration. All are welcome!
Many communities host annual festivals that feature local entertainers. Discover local craft and gift shops that are filled with Island handcrafts. View quilts, pottery, paintings, jams, jellies, pickles, baked goods, music CD’s, knitted items and more, made on the Island for you!
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Natural Beauty
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Graham Pond
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© Glenn Saunders |
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The memorable harbours, wharfs and marinas are excellent for those who love to look at the boats that drop anchor.
Watch activities along the many working waterfronts. Lighthouses are distinctive and one can climb to the top for panoramic views. Travel out to the points which offer intimate contact with red sandstone cliffs and secluded coves. The many points provide the unique character of the area as the points frame the bays and protect sheltered beaches.
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Beach Country
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Greenwich Beach
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© Active Communities
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Points East Coastal Drive is surrounded by natural beaches with miles of untouched sand dunes. This area has some are the finest beaches on Prince Edward Island! Beautiful fine white sand covers most of the shoreline of the northern and eastern shores. Learn how native dune grass has been protecting the shoreline for centuries. Red cliffs provide rock and red sand beaches which are excellent for clamming. On a sunny day, sun and swim on one of the many sandy beaches. Overcast or raining days are good to beach comb for shells, driftwood and pieces of sea glass. With over 30 public beaches there’s always one more beach to explore….
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Golf An Entire Island
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Brudenell & Dundarave
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© Glenn Saunders |
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Prince Edward Island is Canada’s top golf destination. Points East Coastal Drive boasts a number of the Island’s top quality golf courses. Rolling green fairways offering striking views overlooking a salt water coastline capture some of the most beautiful golfing landscape in Canada.
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Islanders Love To Garden
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Lady Slippers
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© Glenn Saunders |
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Throughout the year, nature displays an ever-changing array of colours. See expansive lawns and flower gardens. Some of the inns have full time gardeners. Wildflowers are abundant. You may find roadsides abloom with purple, pink and white lupines or wild roses. Fields filled with fireweed, daisies, brown-eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s lace and other wildflowers appear in summer. In June, wooded areas are home to the provincial flower, the delicate pink Lady’s Slipper orchid.
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333 Bird Species Know This Is A Special Place
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Savanah Sparrow
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© Glenn Saunders |
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The coastal habitat makes it an ideal location for bird watching. This region is dotted with trails and wet lands that provide opportunities to experience wildlife in natural habitat. Areas have been set aside for wildlife habitat conservation and compatible recreational use. Launch canoes or kayaks to tour the river estuaries and Four Canadian Heritage Rivers. Hiking, cycling and seal /bird cruises provide nature’s great experiences.
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Catch A Taste Of The Sea
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The lobster fishing season runs from the first of May to the end of June. In August some of the world’s biggest fish, the Bluefin Tuna, are caught off the shores of North Lake. Deep-sea fishing is fun for the whole family. Learn about the white buoys in the waterways and mussel aquaculture.
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Capture The Past
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Orwell Corner Historical Village
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The architecture of older homes, lighthouses, barns and commercial buildings are reminders of this area’s heritage. The history is as old as the settled history of the province. Museums provide entertaining stories that go back to the 1700’s. The churches range in style from simple country chapels to Island stone structures designed by architect William Critchlow Harris. Pioneer cemeteries and genealogy research speak of communities which grew from the wooden ship building industry of the 1800’s to 1920. Museum artifacts, displays and exhibits capture the fishing fleets, fish canneries, shipyards and general stores of past times. The area boasts of several National Historic sites and four significant Canadian Heritage Rivers. The names of many coastal villages and towns tell of the former communities from which the earlier settlers came.
Select roads designated “Scenic Heritage Roads” provide incredible scenery and recall images of horse drawn carriages or sleighs and the horseback riders of days gone by.
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Experience The Flavour Of The Sea
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Mussel Harvest
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© Glenn Saunders |
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The Island is known around the world for ‘Island Blue Mussels,’ This area produces P.E.I. potatoes, lobster, scallops, lamb, strawberries, high and low bush blueberries, dairy products and fresh vegetables. Freshly served to you from the local wharf, family farms or restaurants, they are all Island delights! Many farms have vegetables for sale along the roadway. They operate on the honour system; you take the vegetables and leave the money in a box. This area has the province’s only winery, Rossignol Estate Winery which produces award-winning fruit wines.
Islanders like to go for a drive and distances are short. This eastern part of Prince Edward Island is ideal for jaunts and excursions.
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“ The Points East Coastal Drive that meanders around the eastern perimeter of the island was the destination of choice………We have only been on the Island for a couple of days but it’s been long enough to reconfirm Prince Edward Island is still a very special place.”
Gary Sowerby
Renowned Canadian adventure traveler.
In Roads Less Traveled
Oct 26, 2006, The Chronical Hearld, Halifax, Nova Scotia
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