Striking sandstone cliffs, clear waters warmed by the Gulf Stream, and silky-soft sand make Cavendish Beach something out of a postcard. Thousands of visitors descend on the area annually for days spent at the beach and exploring nearby attractions. The beach is situated along London Bay, surrounded by charming rural and fishing villages and small farms. Facilities include toilets, changing rooms, cafeteria, and a boardwalk which carries visitors over sand dunes separating the beach from several picturesque ponds. The Green Gables Home, which inspired Lucy Montgomery’s Novel, Anne of Green Gables, is nearby just south of The Lake of Shining Waters.
The University of Prince Edward Island was founded in 1969, and today, it is the only university in the province. While the institution's roots trace back as far as the early-19th Century, it was only officially established when St. Dunstan's University and Prince of Wales College, founded in 1855 and 1860 respectively, merged to unite the island's Roman Catholic and Protestant communities. Today, the University of Prince Edward Island is a non-denominational public institution. Visitors to the campus should not miss the university's War Memorial Hall, an on-site landmark and residence hall built to honor alumni who also were the slain heroes of World War I and II.
Roller coasters, go carts, bumper boats, and miniature golf, what more could you want? Sandspit Cavendish Beach is the largest Amusement Park on Prince Edward Island. Ideal for families, many picnic areas are available. If you’re in the area for a while, purchase a Slide & Ride Pass which grants access to Sandspit and Shining Waters for a whole week. Enjoy a new perspective of the beautiful Cavendish region on the 70 foot Ferris Wheel or ride the largest steel roller coaster in Atlantic Canada, aptly named the Cyclone. Check website for rates and further details.
The Dunes Studio Gallery sells pottery, artwork, jewelry, and furniture. The gallery houses the works of over fifty artisans, so you can be sure everyone will find something to fit their tastes. When you're done inside, step outside and enjoy the gardens. East Coast Gardener' Magazine featured The Dunes Studio Gallery. With flowers everywhere, a beautiful fountain, and a view of the sunset you won't soon forget, this is so much more than a gallery.
Skmaqn–Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst recognizes the first permanent European settlement on Prince Edward Island. In 1721, a French captain, newly relocated to Ile Saint-Jean (what is today Prince Edward Island) described Port-la-Joye as "one of the most beautiful harbors that the eye can behold." Today, visitors can see the grass covered ruins of this once-great community. After the Acadian deportation of 1758, a fort was commissioned at Port-la-Joye that came to be known as Fort Amherst; it was the administrative capital of Prince Edward Island for over a decade. Learn more about the rich history of the island at this designated Canada national historic site. The area also has stunning views of the bay.