Top Beaches along the Green Gables Shore

Cavendish Beach

/ 11 lecture min

Prince Edward Island is a beach destination with many beautiful shorelines and sandy views! Some of the most beautiful beaches can be found on Green Gables Shore. There are a variety of beaches in the area, all with their unique features – we guarantee there is a beach that will suit everyone! Follow along with this post to discover all the beauty that can be found along the shorelines of Green Gables Shore.

Malpeque Bay

Feeling adventurous? Malpeque Bay is the second-largest bay on the Island and is the perfect place to kayak, paddleboard, or kiteboard. It is a large and shallow bay located near the town of Malpeque and is protected from the open ocean by a dune and sandspit formation. Malpeque Bay is also a nesting site of the endangered Piping Plover bird.

Supervised Swimming: No
Washroom Facilities: No
Pets Permitted: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head West onto Hwy 6
At the Stanley Bridge roundabout, Take the first exit 
Follow Hwy 6 E to Hwy 104 N (18.4km)
Turn Right onto 104 N (6.2km)
Turn Right onto Hwy 20 N (Signs for Malpeque) (6.2km)
Turn Left onto Royalty Road (1.3km)
Continue on Princetown Rd. (2.7km)

Cabot Beach Provincial Park

Supervised Beach: Yes
Washroom Facilities: Yes
Pets Permitted: Yes (must be on a leash)
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes (Buoyant Wheelchair Available to Borrow)

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head West onto Hwy 6
At the Stanley Bridge roundabout, Take the first exit
Follow Hwy 6 E to Hwy 104 N (18.4km)
Turn Right onto 104 N (6.2km)
Turn Right onto Hwy 20 N (Signs for Malpeque) (6.2km)
Turn Left onto Royalty Road (1.3km)
Turn Right onto King St. (400m)

This provincial beach has it all—white sands, calm waters, dunes, and red cliffs. It is the perfect place to take your dogs for a walk and to take a swim. This park is great for children to explore with a long stretch of lawn and a playground. From the beach, you can watch the fishing boats coming into Malpeque Bay at the end of the day.

Thunder Cove Beach

This stunning beach is located just outside of Kensington. Running along the shore of the beach are picturesque red sand-stone cliffs. This is also a wonderful location to watch the sunset on the water.

Supervised Beach: No
Washroom Facilities: No
Pets Permitted: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head West onto Hwy 6
At the Stanley Bridge roundabout, Take the first exit
In New London, Turn Right onto Hwy 20 E (2.8km)
Follow Hwy 20 to Darnley (14.1km)
Turn Right onto Lower Darnley Rd. (2.0km)
Turn Right onto Thunder Cove Rd.

Adam’s Beach

Supervised: No
Washroom Facilities: No
Pets Permitted: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head West on Hwy 6
At the Stanley Bridge roundabout, Take the first exit (4.6km)
In New London, Turn Right onto Hwy 20 E (27km)
Turn Right onto County Line Road

Adam’s Beach is located only a few minutes away from Brander’s Pond. To get to the beach, you will drive down a red dirt lane and from there walk down to the beach. Like Brander’s Pond, this is a quiet beach with no facilities nearby. This is a great beach to spend some time relaxing on a sunny afternoon.

Brander’s Pond

Located on the North Shore just off of Highway 20, Brander’s Pond Beach is the perfect beach for those who like to stay far from the crowds. If you walk along the beach towards the right, you will find a sandstone rock structure sticking out of the water. When you venture out to this beach make sure to bring snacks and water as the nearest shops and facilities are a bit of a drive away.

Supervised Beach: No
Washroom Facilities: No
Pets Permitted: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head West on Hwy 6
At the Stanley Bridge roundabout, Take the first exit (4.6km)
In New London, Turn Right onto Hwy 20 E (24.2km)
Turn Right onto Brander’s Pond Road

Cousin’s Shore

Supervised Beach: No
Washroom Facilities: No
Pets Permitted: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head West on Hwy 6
At the Stanley Bridge roundabout, Take the first exit
In New London, Turn Right onto Hwy 20 E (22km)
Turn Right onto Cousins Shore Road

A true Island experience, Cousin’s Shore is located less than a five-minute drive from the Anne of Green Gables Museum. Drive down a scenic red dirt lane to access this beach. If you come during lupin season you will see these purple and pink flowers along the roadside to the beach. The freshwater stream located at the beach that runs into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence is the perfect place for children to play..

Yankee Hill

Yankee Hill is a beautiful, peaceful beach that is ideal for a picnic or a walk. The New London Lighthouse watches over the New London Bay and is in the dune lands next to the beach. Nearby is the village of French River which is the perfect spot to stop and take some pictures.

Supervised Beach: No
Washroom Facilities: No
Pets Permitted: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head West on Hwy 6
At the Stanley Bridge roundabout, Take the first exit (4.6km)
In New London, Turn Right onto Hwy 20 E (27km)
Turn Right onto River Rd. (1.5km)
Turn Right onto Cape Rd. (1.5km)

Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park

Supervised Beach: Yes
Washroom Facilities: Yes
Pets Permitted: No
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes (Sand and Buoyant Wheelchair)

Where to find it:
From Cavendish Visitor Information Center, Go to the lights and turn Right
Turn Right at the next set of lights to enter the National Park

Known for its seemingly endless stretch of beach and gorgeous sand dunes, Cavendish Beach is loved for good reason. It is a great place for families and truly is a must-see beach on Prince Edward Island. Cavendish has the best of both worlds with sand dunes and red cliffs in the Prince Edward Island National Park. Be sure to drive along the Gulf Shore Parkway from Cavendish to North Rustico for a beautiful scenic coastal view

MacNeill’s Brook, Prince Edward Island National Park

Supervised: No
Washroom Facilities: No
Pets Permitted: No
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish Visitor Information Centre, Head North on PE-13
Continue on the Gulf Shore Parkway (1.6km)
Turn Left to MacNeill’s Brook

MacNeill’s Brook is located just off of the Gulf Shore Parkway in the National Park. You can have a picnic on the grassy cliff area above the beach and then head down to the water for a swim. This beach is a wonderful place to go for a walk with the blue water on one side and the red cliffs on the other side.

North Rustico Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park

Supervised: No
Washroom Facilities: Yes
Pets Permitted: No
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish Visitor Information Centre, Head North on PE-13
Continue on the Gulf Shore Parkway (8km)
Turn Left onto Beach Lane

North Rustico Beach is located just inside the Prince Edward Island National Park and is a great beach for families. A river that runs along the beach and flows into the ocean is the perfect place for small children to play and splash around. Typically, North Rustico is not as busy as other beaches within the Prince Edward Island National Park and there is plenty of space to play on the sand and in the water. You can also bring your bikes and ride along the Gulf Shore Parkway from North Rustico to Cavendish.

Barachois Beach

A favourite beach among locals and cottagers, Barachois Beach is located near Anglo Rustico. To get down to the beach, you will drive down a red-dirt road and then walk down a set of stairs. From there you can walk along a path through the dunes to get to the beach. This spacious beach is a good location to go for a swim, play a beach game, or sun-bathe for an afternoon.

Supervised: No
Washroom Facilities: No
Pets Permitted: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head South on PE-13 (5.2km)
Turn Left onto Line/Rd PE-269 in Mayfield (2.9km)
Turn Right onto Rustico Rd./PE-6 W (4.2km)
Turn Left onto Buntain Rd. (3.2km)
Turn Left onto Wharf Rd.

Robinson’s Island, Prince Edward Island National Park

Supervised Swimming: No
Washroom Facilities: No
Pets Permitted: No
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head South on PE-13 (5.2km)
Turn Left onto Line/Rd PE-269 in Mayfield (2.9km)
Turn Right onto Rustico Rd./PE-6 W (10.8km)
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Portage Rd. (3.9km)
Turn Left onto Brackley Beach Point Rd. (Signs for Brackley Beach) (2.8km)
Turn Left onto Robinsons Island Rd. (3.6km)

Located next to Brackley Beach, Robinson’s Island is a lovely place to visit. Turn left at the Brackley Beach parking lot and you will shortly arrive at Robinson’s Island. To get to the beach, walk through a trail right next to the park’s protected dune grass. Next to the beach is the Robinson’s Island Trail System which is a family-friendly trail perfect for hikers or bikers. If you prefer to stay off the beaten path, this beach is for you.

Brackley Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park

Only a 25-minute drive from Cavendish, Brackley Beach is located within PEI’s National Park. Brackley Beach has seemingly endless amounts of white sand and is a fantastic beach for everyone-whether you prefer to relax and rest or swim and play. The road within the Prince Edward Island National Park has a flat well-groomed trail that is great for biking or walking. If you are short on time, just drive through the Prince Edward Island National Park and look at some of the most scenic views on the Island. 

Supervised Beach: Yes
Washroom Facilities: Yes
Pets Permitted: No
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes (sand and buoyant wheelchairs available)

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head South on PE-13 (5.2km)
Turn Left onto Line/Rd PE-269 in Mayfield (2.9km)
Turn Right onto Rustico Rd./PE-6 W (10.8km)
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Portage Rd. (3.9km)
Turn Left onto Brackley Beach Point Rd. (Signs for Brackley Beach)

Covehead Lighthouse Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park

Supervised Swimming: No
Washroom Facilities: Nearby
Pets Permitted: No
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head South on PE-13 (5.2km)
Turn Left onto Line/Rd PE-269 in Mayfield (2.9km)
Turn Right onto Rustico Rd./PE-6 W (10.8km)
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Portage Rd. (3.9km)
Turn Left onto Brackley Beach Point Rd. (Signs for Brackley Beach)
Continue onto Gulf Shore Parkway E (4.2km)

Located in the Prince Edward Island National Park near Stanhope Beach, Covehead Beach is a local favourite. Be sure to get a picture with the famous heritage Covehead Harbour Lighthouse that stands among the sand dunes at the entrance to the Bay. While you are here, head to the Covehead Wharf and grab some fish and chips at the local restaurant.

Stanhope Cape Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park

Located near the Covehead Lighthouse, Stanhope Cape Beach is another beautiful white-sand beach in the National Park. This is a lovely spot to have a picnic while enjoying the scenery. If you are a bird watcher, the marsh between Stanhope Cape Beach and Brackley Beach is an ideal spot to look for the local species.

Supervised Swimming: No
Washroom Facilities: Nearby
Pets Permitted: No
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head South on PE-13 (5.2km)
Turn Left onto Line/Rd PE-269 in Mayfield (2.9km
Turn Right onto Rustico Rd./PE-6 W (10.8km)
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Portage Rd. (3.9km)
Turn Left onto Brackley Beach Point Rd. (Signs for Brackley Beach)
Continue onto Gulf Shore Parkway E (7.7km)

Ross Lane Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park

Supervised Beach: Yes
Washroom Facilities: Yes
Pets Permitted: No
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head South on PE-13 (5.2km)
Turn Left onto Line/Rd PE-269 in Mayfield (2.9km)
Turn Right onto Rustico Rd./PE-6 W (10.8km)
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Portage Rd. (3.9km)
Turn Left onto Brackley Beach Point Rd. (Signs for Brackley Beach)
Continue onto Gulf Shore Parkway E (6.1km), Ross Lane will be on the left

Located next to Stanhope Beach, Ross Lane is also a quieter beach than Brackley. Locals love this less-travelled beach with its white sand and grassy dunes. This is the perfect beach to go for a swim, relax, and read a book. As the beaches are located on the same long stretch of sand, take a sunset stroll from Ross Lane to Stanhope Beach.

Stanhope Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park

Also located within the National Park, Stanhope Beach is another stunning place to visit. Stanhope is a smaller beach than Brackley and typically is less crowded. Stanhope beach has surf guard services as well as a picnic area, playground, and kitchen shelter on the grass above the beach. Bring your family here for an afternoon or evening picnic to enjoy the picturesque view.

Supervised Beach: Yes
Washroom Facilities: Yes
Pets Permitted: No
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes (includes Beach and Buoyant Wheelchair reservations)

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head South on PE-13 (5.2km)
Turn Left onto Line/Rd PE-269 in Mayfield (2.9km)
Turn Right onto Rustico Rd./PE-6 W (10.8km)
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Portage Rd. (3.9km)
Turn Left onto Brackley Beach Point Rd. (Signs for Brackley Beach)
Continue onto Gulf Shore Parkway E (7.7km), Stanhope Beach will be on the left

Dalvay Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park

Supervised: No
Washroom Facilities: Yes
Pets Permitted: No
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head South on PE-13 (5.2km)
Turn Left onto Line/Rd PE-269 in Mayfield (2.9km)
Turn Right onto Rustico Rd./PE-6 W (10.8km)
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Portage Rd. (3.9km)
Turn Left onto Brackley Beach Point Rd. (Signs for Brackley Beach)
Continue onto Gulf Shore Parkway E (9.6km)

This beach is located within the Prince Edward Island National Park and is named after the heritage property, Dalvay-by-the-Sea. Once a summer home, Dalvay-by-the-Sea is now a hotel and restaurant. Visitors who are not staying at the hotel are still welcome to walk into the hotel and view the lobby area. You can also rent bikes at Dalvay-by-the-Sea and take in the views as you ride along the coast.

Grand Tracadie Beach

Tracadie Beach is located just outside of the Prince Edward Island National Park so you will not need a National Park pass. However, this beach still has the same stunning views that the North Shore has to offer. With its calm waters and idyllic view, Tracadie Beach can be a popular spot, especially among the locals. Next to the beach is a casual seafood restaurant, Fin Take a Way, with large-window seating and a view of the water that will make you feel that you are looking at a painting.

Supervised: No
Washroom Facilities: Nearby
Pets Permitted: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No

Where to find it:
From Cavendish, Head South on PE-13 (5.2km)
Turn Left onto Line/Rd PE-269 in Mayfield (2.9km)
Turn Right onto Rustico Rd./PE-6 W (10.8km)
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Portage Rd. (3.9km)
Turn Right onto Winsloe Rd. PE-223
Turn Left onto MacQuarrie Rd. (2.0km)
Turn Right onto Brackley Point Rd. (550m)
Turn Left onto Black River Rd. (4.5km)
Turn Left onto Cass’s Rd. PE-6 W (1.1km)
Turn Right staying on PE-6 (Signs for Bedford)
Turn Left onto Harbour Rd. (1.6km)
Turn Left toward Beach Rd.