Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island (PEI) is Canada's smallest province and one of its most underrated — 2–4 days covers Charlottetown, Green Gables Heritage Place in Cavendish (the real setting that inspired Anne of Green Gables), and PEI's genuinely striking red-sand beaches. Cross the 12.9km Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick (the toll dropped to $20 CAD in August 2025) or take the seasonal ferry from Nova Scotia. Best visited June through September, when the island's beaches, lobster shacks, and farm stands are all in full swing.
PEI is Canada in miniature and slightly slower motion — red dirt roads, potato fields, lighthouse-dotted coastline, and a national literary pilgrimage site (Anne of Green Gables) that somehow still feels understated rather than commercialized. It's small enough to see properly in a long weekend.
How many days do you need?
Two to four days is the right range — two if PEI is an add-on to a Nova Scotia trip, four if you want real beach time and to explore both Charlottetown and the North Shore at an unhurried pace. The island is genuinely small (about 224km end to end), so nothing is ever more than a couple of hours' drive away.
Getting there
| From | Method | Cost / time |
|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | Confederation Bridge (12.9km, the world's longest bridge over ice-covered water) | $20 CAD toll, collected only when leaving PEI; about 12 minutes to cross |
| Nova Scotia (Caribou) | Northumberland Ferries to Wood Islands, PEI (seasonal, roughly May–December) | ~75 minutes; fares were cut in half in August 2025 |
| By air | Charlottetown Airport (YYG) | Domestic connections via Toronto, Montreal, and other Canadian hubs |
The Confederation Bridge toll is charged only when you leave the island, not when you arrive — so don't budget for it on the way in, and don't be surprised by it on the way out.
Green Gables and Cavendish
Green Gables Heritage Place, in Prince Edward Island National Park at Cavendish, is the real farmhouse and surrounding landscape that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 novel 'Anne of Green Gables' — a genuine literary pilgrimage site for readers from Canada, Japan (where the book is a cultural phenomenon), and beyond. Adult admission runs roughly $8.50 CAD (Parks Canada rate), or about $30 CAD for a family day pass covering the wider national park, which also includes some of PEI's best beaches.
- Green Gables Heritage Place — the farmhouse, orchard, and 'Haunted Wood' trail from the novel, open May through October.
- Cavendish Beach — red-sand beaches inside Prince Edward Island National Park, a genuinely striking, photogenic contrast against the ocean.
- Charlottetown's historic downtown — the 'Birthplace of Confederation' (where the 1864 conference leading to Canada's founding took place), now a walkable core of restaurants, galleries, and Victorian architecture.
- PEI lobster suppers — a genuine island tradition: community-hall-style all-you-can-eat lobster dinners, found in small towns across the island in summer.
Why the sand is red
PEI's beaches are famously red because the island's soil and sandstone are rich in iron oxide (rust), which colors both the fields and the coastline — it's not a filter or a marketing trick, and it's one of the most distinctive landscapes in Atlantic Canada.
What it costs and when to go
| Item | Approx. cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Mid-range Charlottetown hotel, per night | $120–200 |
| Green Gables Heritage Place, adult admission | ~$6.30 ($8.50 CAD) |
| PEI lobster supper | $35–55 |
| Confederation Bridge toll (leaving the island) | ~$15 ($20 CAD) |
June through September is the clear window — beaches are swimmable (if brisk), farm stands and lobster suppers are in full swing, and Green Gables and the national park beaches are fully open. Shoulder months (May, October) are quieter and cheaper but noticeably colder for the beach half of the trip.
Where to stay in Prince Edward Island — hotels
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