Prince Edward Island (PEI). Big things do come in small packages. PEI is the smallest province of Canada, yet it is remarkably a favourite destination for tourists. Situated in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and surrounded by Northumberland Strait, the land lives off the waters. PEI’s two of the three major economies—fishing and tourism industries—are there to manifest how blessed the Island is.
PEI’s spectacular, immaculate beaches lure sizeable crowds annually. Having called this Island as my home for over three years, I have countless of sweet memories of walking miles and miles along the sandy beaches, running away from charging waves and catching breathtaking sunsets many an evening. It’s a paradise of the nature lovers, a world filled with serenity.
Beaches are not the only reasons nature lovers visit the coastal areas of the Island. PEI’s prominent lighthouses that surround the Island add a unique identity. These lighthouses do have a long history and many a story to share. What is even more remarkable is that these lighthouses have been around much longer than any person living presently on the Earth.
The Island is home to 63 lighthouses. Like guardian angels, the lighthouses help fishermen safely navigate the waters and unmistakably reach their home. Times do change but the very meaning these lighthouses add to the Island fishermen has not changed. And they continue to live on…!
One of a kind! West Point Lighthouse, located in the West Cape region of PEI, is prominent due to its rectangular base with black and white stripes to accentuate its contrast. The lighthouse was built in 1875 and holds the record as the tallest lighthouse on the Island. The lighthouse has a 13-room inn and a museum.
The oldest member of the family. Point Prim Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Canada and was built in 1845, long before Canada became a country in 1867. It is located in Belfast, Eastern PEI.
A view of the Northumberland Strait from the lawn of the Point Prim Lighthouse.
A view of the Point Prim Lighthouse from the rock reefs.
The Sun is heading home on an early afternoon in the winter of 2021. Northumberland Strait in the background appears as a frozen barren. Point Prim Lighthouse.
Someone's eyeballing me! The Moon is rising by the Point Prim Lighthouse on an early evening.
I'm at work! Rocky Point Lighthouse, located in Rocky Point, PEI. The lighthouse was built in 1876. Legend has it that the present lighthouse replaced the older lighthouse at the site, which was believed built in 1846. Rocky Point Lighthouse was key to the adjacent historical landmark and the former port known by the Indigenous People of Canada as Skmaqn. The French settlers built their first settlement here and called the port as Port-la-Joye. The English conquered the French and renamed it as Fort Amherst Port. The site is now a national heritage site of Canada.
Panmure Island Lighthouse. Located in Panmure Island in the Eastern PEI, the lighthouse was built in 1853. This wooden lighthouse is now a national heritage site. Anyone exploring the Points East Coastal Drive of the Island would not miss this landmark located off Route 347.
Northport Lighthouse. It is located in Northport of the West Prince region of PEI. It was built in 1885.
Covehead Lighthouse. It is located in Covehead in the North Shore region of PEI. The original lighthouse was built in 1967. The present lighthouse was rebuilt in 1975.
A view of the Covehead Lighthouse from the frozen Northumberland Strait during the winter of 2021.
Wood Islands Lighthouse. It was built in 1876 and is located by the Wood Islands Ferry Terminal in the Eastern PEI. The lighthouse has been greeting everyone arriving by the ferry since the ferry service started in 1941. Anyone arriving by the ferry on the Island cannot miss this magnificent landmark.
The landmark of the Friendly Seaside Town. Souris Lighthouse. It is located in Souris, Eastern PEI. It was built in 1880 and is now given company by a souvenir shop.
Canada and I were born in the same year. East Point Lighthouse. It is located in East Point, the most eastern point of the Island. It was built in 1867, the same year Canada became a country. Therefore, the lighthouse is also known as the Confederation Lighthouse.
A view of the Northumberland Strait by the East Point Lighthouse.
North Cape Lighthouse. North Cape proudly claims as the site of North America’s longest rock reefs that pose dangers to ships, which was first documented by Jacques Cartier on July 1, 1534. After repeated failures at stressing on the criticality of building a lighthouse, North Cape Lighthouse was finally born in 1865. As one of the important lighthouses, it is standing on the most western tip of the Island.
The Town by the Sea. Victoria Lighthouse.Victoria-by-the-Sea (Victoria) is located off the Trans-Canada Highway on the south shore of the Island. Originally known as Victoria, it added “by the sea” to accentuate its role as a port town. The lighthouse was built in 1879.
