Canada: Prince Edward Island

Good Things Come In Small Packages

The Maritime Provinces are among the loveliest in Canada. Famous for lobster suppers, potato fields to the sea and Anne of Green Gables, Prince Edward Island, affectionately known as PEI, is Canada’s smallest province. It offers a concentrated dose of delightful scenery, friendly people, wonderful food and lots of ways to have fun outdoors. Now we can add rowing to the list of vacation choices. We have packaged up a small sample of the best of PEI. We will row, we will eat well, we will visit local sites and attractions and also have time to relax and enjoy our restful surroundings. A sweet summer Canada rowing tour.

Red Cliffs, Green Fields, Blue Water

In such a beautiful province, there are so many options to choose from! We have narrowed it to two different experiences. Enjoy two nights in the capital and three nights at a provincial park and resort. We will launch right in downtown Charlottetown and row the harbour, seeing this historical city from the water. Those of you who know your Canadian history know that Charlottetown is the birthplace of Confederation. It was here in 1867 that the Fathers of Confederation brought the idea of Canada into being. We will enjoy a city walking tour with the Confederation Players, whose streetside conversations bring history alive. Then off for a little Island living, to explore the beautiful red shoreline, stroll stunning sand dunes, smell the salty air and listen to the waves washing on the multitude of beautiful beaches. Did we mention lobster?

The Joys of Coastal Rowing

The coastal waters of PEI are our playground. We row coastal boats on this trip, which is logical given that PEI is an island surrounded by a lot of salty water. This trip is perfect for flatwater rowers who wish to experience a bit of coastal rowing – in a safe environment with experienced local guides and without the extremes that some coastal races and events offer. With the coastal boat we can nip into bays, cross inlets and land on beaches. There is so much to explore and enjoy with coastal rowing PEI!

Read our blog post on PEI Rowing: Little Island Big Rowing to find the role that rowing played in the creation of Canada.

Trip Gallery

Photos by Rowing PEI and Karen Kinley

Trip Video

Trip Details

Price Type	USD	CAD	EUR
Regular	$2,250	$2,995	2.050 €

Single supplement price available upon request. Non-rowers are welcome! Note that 5% GST(tax) will be added to the invoice.

Daily Distances	Boats	Group Size
10-25 km per day	Coastal coxed quads, doubles and singles	Minimum 5, maximum 12 rowers

Included

Five nights accommodation in lovely hotel and a resort within a provincial park
Five breakfasts, five lunches and three dinners
Four days of rowing
Use of quality coastal rowing shells
Guide services and tour support. Trip Leader is Ruth Marr. Guided by Nancy Russell.
Transportation within tour area and luggage transfers
Cultural visits and alternative activities for bad weather days

Itinerary

Note that water conditions, especially as affected by the wind, as well as weather and tides will determine the exact time and location of the rows. Safety is a priority. Thus, on some days, the actual program may vary from this description.

DAY 1
Arrival in Charlottetown, the charming capital of PEI. We will discuss the plans for the next few days over a wonderful welcome dinner. Enjoy your first taste of Canada’s Food Island.
DAY 2
We begin the day with a morning row right in Charlottetown harbour. Every city is wonderful to see from the water, and this one is no exception. After lunch we will gain a different perspective, starting with a historical walking tour. As the “Birthplace of Canada” there is a lot to learn about in such a compact city. We might have to take a break for an ice cream from Cow’s Creamery. They say it is Canada’s best. Dinner tonight is on your own, we will have lots of suggestions for you to choose from.
DAY 3
We head for the eastern part of the province, driving through the lovely rural scenery that PEI is famous for. Potato fields fill the red soil, interspersed with spruce and birch forests. Charming towns and villages and colourful farmhouses dot the route. We will walk the dunes of the Greenwich sector of Prince Edward Island National Park, followed by a seafood lunch. Our next destination is Brudenell Provincial Park, where our resort hotel is located. Let’s get rowing! On our afternoon row we will explore the Brudenell River and then head into the Montague River. All that rowing works up an appetite. What better thing to do than to head to Cardigan for a lobster supper.
DAY 4
We have a full day in this little piece of paradise. Of course the main activity will be the rowing. We will choose which waters to explore based on tides and winds. A wonderful day will be to row past the charming lighthouse on Panmure Island. Landing on the nearby beach it is a short stroll up to the Lighthouse and our picnic lunch. Time to relax in the shade, stroll the beach and go for a swim. Back at Brudenell perhaps we will go clam digging or beach combing? Be sure to take time for a stroll to check out the stars in the summer night. Dinner on your own tonight.
DAY 5
On our last day of rowing, the plan is to row past Georgetown an authentic fishing community. Rounding the point of the peninsula and passing passing Boughton Island, we enter the Cardigan River, which really feels like an inlet of the sea. We will row up to the highway bridge. After loading the boats on the waiting trailer, it is back to Brudenell and our farewell dinner.
DAY 6
After a leisurely breakfast, we will drive back to Charlottetown and your next adventure. Perhaps you will head home, although we recommend that you extend your stay, either on the island or in parts of the Maritimes. We hope that you will have enjoyed rowing Canada and especially rowing PEI!