Prince Edward Island doesn't have any wilderness, nor even much wildness, to speak of. It's all about cultivated landscapes that have long ago been tamed by farmers. That doesn't mean you can't find a few outdoor adventures, though. Here are some places to start.

Bicycling on Prince Edward Island

There's no finer destination in Atlantic Canada for relaxed cycling than Prince Edward Island. The modest size of this island, the gentleness of the hills (the island's highest point is just 142m/466 ft. above sea level), and the loveliness of the landscapes all make for memorable biking trips. Although you won't find much (or any) rugged mountain biking here, you can find plenty of idyllic excursions, especially in the northern and eastern portions of the island. Just be sure to avoid the Trans-Canada Highway on the south coast, and busy main roads like Route 2, and you'll find superb backroads biking throughout the network of secondary routes.

There's also a very significant off-road bike trail here: the Confederation Trail, an impressive system of several hundred miles of pathway built along the ripped-up trackbed of an ill-fated provincial railway that could serve as a model for any state in the U.S. The main trail runs from Tignish (on the island's far northwestern shore) to Elmira (up in the northeastern corner), while good branch trails stretch right into downtown Charlottetown and touch on a number of villages mentioned in this guide, such as Souris, Montague, and Georgetown. One spur even reaches all the way to the Confederation Bridge.

The pathway is mostly covered in rolled stone dust, which makes for good traveling with either a mountain bike or hybrid.Services are slowly developing along this route, with more bike rental services  and inns cropping up every year. The tourist bureau has updated information. The trail is also used by hikers and walkers (often with dogs), so cyclists need to be attentive.

The island has several bike rental and bike tour outfits. The experts at MacQueen’s Bike Shop & Island Tours, 430 Queen St. in Charlottetown (tel. 902/368-2453), sell a range of highly customizable bicycle tour packages with all-inclusive prices covering bike rentals, accommodations, route cards, maps, luggage transfers, and emergency road repair service. Without a tour, bike rental prices start at around C$45 per day and are only available on a walk-in basis if you’re renting them for less than 3 days (kids’ bikes are cheaper, touring bikes a bit more expensive). And, of course, they do all repairs and offer luggage storage space. Outer Limit Sports bike rentals (tel. 902/569-5690), in Charlottetown, also rents bikes and all the needed gear. They offer single day trips at $C39 per person, as well as bicycle tours ranging from 3 days starting at C$899 with its best-seller 8-day Eastern Loop tour starting at C$2,599.

Clam Digging on Prince Edward Island


With Tong & Shuck (tel. 902/702-0021), you get to feast on local oysters you’ve shucked yourself while spending an afternoon with local fisherman Jim Conohan in his home on the shore of the Boughton River in Cardigan. He’ll teach you about the life cycle of an oyster, show you how to tong and shuck them, and regale you with fishing stories from his 45-year career.

Fishing on Prince Edward Island

With 1,700km (1,100 miles) of coastline, inland rivers and streams, and more than 800 ponds, the island is a fisherman’s dream. For deep-sea fishing, head to the north or east coasts, where plenty of fishing captains and outfitters takes guests out on the big waves in search of tuna, mackerel, and more. The greatest concentrations of services are at the harbors of North Rustico and Covehead Bay. In North Rustico, at any given time,  at least a half-dozen captains offer fishing trips (see such marketplace sites as GetMyBoat.com and Boatsetting.com). Options we recommend include Aiden’s Deep Sea Fishing Trips (tel. 866/510-3474 or 902/963-3522) and Joey’s Deep Sea Fishing (tel. 902/963-2295). Rates start at C$70 for adults, less for children, for up to 3 hours or so. Most will also clean and fillet your fish to take home if you wish.

North Lake Harbour gives itself the moniker “Tuna Capital of the World” because it’s home to deep-sea charter vessels that search out giant bluefins, which can top 1,000 pounds, on a regular basis. Whale, seal, and bird sightings sweeten the experience. Tony’s Tuna Fishing (tel. 902/357-2207) offers private tuna charters July through September for C$1,400 a day. Or you can go lobster fishing for C$150 per person in May or June, but be warned they will probably put you to work pulling traps, filling bait bags or banding claws as this is a commercial fishing operation. Top Notch Charters (tel. 902/626-6689) offers short fishing excursions, onboard lobster suppers, and tuna fishing charters out of Charlottetown. On the east coast, Tranquility Cove Adventures ( tel. 902/969-7184) runs fishing, clamming, and even starfish hunting excursions out of Georgetown.

Trout fishing attracts inland anglers, with the government website on recreational fishing a good place to start as it contains all the regulations, license, and fee information, as well as a list of the many locations for trout fishing across the province.

Golf on Prince Edward Island

PEI’s reputation for golf has soared in recent years; SCOREGolf magazine twice named PEI the country’s best golfing destination thanks to the variety and convenience of over 28 courses—and the LPGA success of Charlottetown native Lorie Kane. There are courses beside the ocean, within city limits, and in pastoral settings. In fact, PEI has more golf courses per capita than any other province in Canada.

One of the best-regarded courses on the island is the Links at Crowbush Cove (tel. 800/235-8909). Sand dunes and persistent winds off the gulf add to the challenge at this course on the northeastern coast; greens fees run C$65 to C$105 per person. Another perennial favorite is the Brudenell River Golf Course (tel. 800/235-8909), near Montague along the eastern shore at the Rodd Brudenell River Resort; its second 18-holer, Dundarave, was designed by Michael Hurdzan, and has a double-ended driving range. Greens fees are C$50 to C$80 per person at both.

Golf Prince Edward Island (tel. 866/465-3734), a trade association, has a reservation system, info for all the courses, and (sometimes) specials on less popular tee times. Shoulder season green fees are less, too.

Sea Kayaking on Prince Edward Island

 

Little PEI packs in more than 1,200km (800 miles) of attractive coastline, most of it touched by relatively warm seawater, making for some excellent sea kayaking.

Paddlers can vary the scene from broad tidal inlets ringed with marsh to rusty-red coastline topped with swaying waves of marram grass. Several operators rent kayaks and offer tours. On the north coast, Outside Expeditions (tel. 800/207-3899 or 902/963-3366) in North Rustico hosts half- and full-day excursions and clinics daily at nearby Prince Edward Island National Park and Brudenell River Provincial Park in eastern PEI. Rental rates vary from C$55 for an hour in a single to C$150 for a day-long seal watch tour. On the southern coast, By-the-Sea-Kayaking (tel. 877/879-2572 or 902/658-2572), in Victoria-by-the-Sea, rents kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. Their tours include a unique clam digging adventure during which you paddle to an offshore sandbar, dig clams the size of your hand, and return to shore to make them into chowder.

Swimming on Prince Edward Island

 

PEI's chief attraction is its red sand beaches, which are generally excellent for swimming. You'll find them ringing the island, tucked in between dunes and crumbling cliffs. Thanks to the moderating influence of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the water temperature is more humane here than elsewhere in Atlantic Canada. The most popular beaches (by far) are at Prince Edward Island National Park along the north coast, but you can easily find other local or provincial beaches with great swimming by asking anywhere locally.

Good choices include Cedar Dunes Provincial Park (on the island's southwestern coast), Red Point Provincial Park (on its northeastern shore), and Panmure Island Provincial Park on the southeastern coast.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.