Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a small Canadian island known for north shore beaches, Anne of Green Gables sites and the Charlottetown history of Confederation.
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Prince Edward Island is a small island province in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, about 10 km across the Northumberland Strait from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It is the smallest Canadian province by land area and the only one made up entirely of islands. Charlottetown, its capital and largest city, has the main airport. Visitors come for the north shore dunes and beaches, the Anne of Green Gables sites and the Confederation history in Charlottetown.
Visitors reach the island by the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick, which is about 12.9 km long, or by ferry from Nova Scotia. Long sand dunes line much of the north shore, where Prince Edward Island National Park is. The real Green Gables house, from Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne books, is in Cavendish on the same shore. July and August highs average about 23 °C. Older figures put the main tourist season at roughly eight to ten weeks in summer, so plan around those weeks.
Prince Edward Island in five
- Know how the bridge toll worksThe Confederation Bridge says tolls are charged by axle count for the round trip and collected leaving PEI at Borden-Carleton. A 2-axle vehicle pays $20.00, and no reservation is needed.Bridge tolls
- Compare the bridge with the Nova Scotia ferryNorthumberland Ferries sails between Wood Islands, PEI and Caribou, Nova Scotia, and strongly encourages reservations. Vehicles must check in at least 40 minutes before departure, so read its schedule and check-in rules before choosing.Northumberland Ferries
- Split the national park into three stopsParks Canada says PEI National Park has three regions, Cavendish-North Rustico, Brackley-Dalvay and Greenwich, separated by bays and not directly connected by highways.Park planning
- Visit Green Gables in the park corridorGreen Gables Heritage Place is at 8619 Route 6 in Cavendish, according to Parks Canada, which links it to the Lucy Maud Montgomery farmstead that inspired the novel.Green Gables
- Add Charlottetown for Confederation historyParks Canada calls Province House National Historic Site the birthplace of Confederation. The capital also works as a base for the island, 24 km from the national park.The Maritimes
Things to do in Prince Edward Island
See all attractions in Prince Edward Island
Need to know
- Airport
- Charlottetown (YYG); most visitors drive in
- Getting there
- Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick, or ferry from Nova Scotia
- Getting around
- Car is the practical way around the island
- Best base
- Charlottetown, or near Cavendish for the north shore
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 days; 2 as a Maritimes add-on
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow13 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-8°Cold, quietJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruarySnow12 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-9°Cold, quietFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchSnow14 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh1°Low-5°Late winterMarchSnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Late winter
- AprilRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh7°Low0°Spring thawAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring thaw
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Spring, quietMayPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, quiet
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Early summerJuneRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Early summer
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Beach seasonJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low16°Beach seasonAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Fall, fewer crowdsSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall, fewer crowds
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Fall colourOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall colour
- NovemberRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Cool, services closeNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 172 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, services close
- DecemberSnow13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh2°Low-4°Cold, snowDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Charlottetown, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Prince Edward Island
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 8°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Prince Edward Island
08:59 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°6°5%Monday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue10°1°9%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Wed11°1°91%Wednesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Thu13°8°18%Thursday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Fri14°11°42%Friday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Sat16°11°60%Saturday: Rain. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Sun13°7°60%Sunday: Rain. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 60%.
Updated 04:51 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- PEI National Parkabout 24 km from CharlottetownBeaches, red cliffs and dunes; visitor services run May to October, and the park is open year-round, per Parks Canada.
- Halifax and Nova Scotiaacross the strait by ferry or roadA Maritimes loop usually pairs the island with Halifax.Read the guide
- Saint John and the Bay of Fundya day-plus drive over the bridgeThe tide-driven rapids at Saint John are the main draw on the New Brunswick side.Read the guide
Before you go to Prince Edward Island
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Rules for Prince Edward Island, checked
Plan around Prince Edward Island
Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI on one loop
Read the guideHalifaxThe usual Nova Scotia gateway
Read the guideSaint JohnThe Bay of Fundy tides across the strait
Read the guideCape Breton IslandThe Cabot Trail, reached via Nova Scotia
Read the guideAll of CanadaeTA, regions, cities and money basics
Read the guidePrince Edward Island FAQ
How do you get to Prince Edward Island?
By the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick, by Northumberland Ferries from Nova Scotia, or by air to Charlottetown. The bridge operates 24 hours a day and does not take reservations.
How much does the Confederation Bridge cost?
The Confederation Bridge lists $20.00 for the first 2 axles, calculated for the round trip and collected leaving PEI. It also lists a pedestrian shuttle fare of $4.75 and a cyclist fare of $9.50.
How many days do you need on PEI?
Three to four days cover Charlottetown, the north shore beaches and Green Gables. Two days work as a Maritimes add-on, but the island rewards slower travel.
Is PEI National Park open all year?
Parks Canada says the park is accessible year-round, with visitor services from May to October. A seasonal dog restriction starts April 1, so check the park's dog rules before you bring a pet.
Can you visit PEI without a car?
It is hard. The island is small, but the beaches, farms and Green Gables are spread out. Pedestrians and cyclists can cross the bridge by shuttle, so plan a rental car or a tour on arrival.