WHAT ARE THE BEST BEACHES WITH POSSIBLE PARKS IN PEI, WE WILL BE STAYING IN THE CAVENDISH AREA? ALSO ACTIVITIES FOR A 1 AND 5 YEAR OLD ?

Hi Colleen,

Thank you for contacting Ask An Islander.

Prince Edward Island has many beautiful beaches. In fact, there are fifty in our Points East Coastal Drive alone. Please see below for some suggestions for beaches that both have park elements and offer appropriate activities for your children: 

Souris Beach Gateway Park: This location offers a red sand beach with a low tide that offers kilometres of sand for kids to explore. Also there is a splash pad, playground, restaurants, change rooms, and public washrooms.

Basin Head Provincial Park: The Basin Head Day Park features a supervised beach, fisheries museum, play area, on-site concessions, washroom, and shower facilities. The beach is split into two sections, divided by a channel, known locally as “the run.” The pure white sand of the area is geologically unique. Because it actually "sings" when stepped on due to its high silica content, the beach is nicknamed "The Singing Sands". Furthermore, this location offers the Basin Head Fisheries Museum that has interactive events for children. Through its permanent collection of artifacts, the story of PEI's inshore fishery is told through displays, exhibits, and dioramas. This is truly a location that can offer a full day of fun for the whole family!

Kings Castle Provincial Park: Located just three kilometres east of Murray River. Kings Castle Provincial Park is a wonderful family area with favorite storybook characters found in statue form. In addition to this there is unique play equipment and scheduled recreational activities for children June 23 to September 3. This park includes river beach access, shelters for family or group barbecues, washroom facilities, and a canteen. This should truly be a magical experience for children!

Canoe Cove Beach: The beach in Canoe Cove is located at the Lloyd Inman Memorial Park, which is operated and maintained by the community. Located along the Northumberland Strait, this beach is most spectacular at low tide. Here the family can play in tidal pools, relax in your beach chair, or walk on the soft red sand. You might even see seals at play! Be sure to check the tide schedule before arriving. The park's amenities include unsupervised beach, accessibility ramp, on-site canteen, playground, washroom, shower facilities, picnic areas, and outdoor interpretive panels. 

Linkletter Provincial Park: Enjoy the wide-open green space overlooking the Bedeque Bay and its close proximity to the City of Summerside, Slemon Park and the Confederation Bridge. Park amenities include serviced and unserviced campsites, unsupervised bay beach, playground equipment, laundromat, and wifi. Pets permitted on a leash. A store is located within four kilometres.

Cabot Beach Provincial Park: Located only sixteen kilometres north of Kensington, this park offers recreation programs (June 23 to September 3), and ocean beach with lifeguard services (June 30 to September 4). Also, there is a laundromat, playground, kitchen shelter, dumping station, and wifi. Pets are permitted on a leash.

Located quite close to where you will be staying are the Brackley Beach, Stanhope, Cavendish, and North Rustico entrances to the Prince Edward Island National Park. All of these access points are to family friendly beaches. These beaches are rich with culture and heritage, flora and fauna, and home to colourful sunsets, salty air, and welcoming people.

Lastly, I would suggest visiting our Prince Edward Island Provinical Parks website as it offers other options with day parks and beach access!

Enjoy your time exploring our wonderful beaches!

Have a great day,

Jonah