Planning a trip to Cavendish with your four-legged friend? Dogs are not permitted on any of the National Park Beaches from April 15 to October 15 but don’t fret! There are also some fantastic dog-friendly beaches nearby where your furry friends are more than welcome! Whether your pup loves splashing in the waves or simply digging in the sand, there are plenty of coastal spots to explore together.
Here are the top beaches in and around Cavendish where you and your dog can soak up the sun and sea breeze.
North Rustico Beach (Breakwater Road Entrance)
While a portion of the North Rustico Beach is property of the National Park, this is not the case for all of it. If you access the beach from Breakwater Road at the North Rustico Harbour, there is a section of the beach where your dog is permitted. This is a great place to take them for a swim and cool off after a lovely walk along the North Rustico Boardwalk!
Directions from Cavendish:
From Cavendish, Head East on Hwy 6 towards North Rustico (7.1 km)
Turn left onto Harbourview Drive (1.6 km)
Turn left onto Breakwater Road
Cousins Shore Beach
Located 25 minutes from Cavendish, Cousins Shore is a beautiful white sand beach just north of Kensington in the Park Corner area. There are a lot of cottages nearby and these people enjoy using this beach as a place to relax and enjoy the waves with their companion.
Directions from Cavendish:
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
Thunder Cove Beach
Located 30 minutes from Cavendish, Thunder Cove Beach is just a little further west of Cousins Shore Beach. It is known for its stunning red cliffs in the Darnley area. This is a picturesque location with great photo opportunities while you and your dog enjoy the local scenery.
Directions from Cavendish:
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.
Cabot Beach
Located 35 minutes from Cavendish, Cabot Beach is also just a little further west of the two previously mentioned beaches. It is a part of the Cabot Beach Provincial Park. There are also trails and a lighthouse at this park which makes it a wonderful place to take your pup along for an outdoor adventure.
Directions from Cavendish:
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)
Barachois Beach
Located 15 minutes from Cavendish, Barachois Beach is a hidden gem in the South Rustico area. This is a great beach to take your dog for a stroll as it spans a long distance and it offers a beautiful view across the water of the North Rustico Harbour.
Directions from Cavendish:
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
Tracadie Beach
Located 40 minutes from Cavendish, Tracadie Beach is just further east of the Brackley-Dalvay section of the National Park. It offers a breathtaking view of the Tracadie Bay with great amenities nearby like Fin Folk Food, Harry’s Dairy Bar and Blackbush Beach Resort. All of these establishments are dog friendly as well!
Directions from Cavendish:
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.
Argyle Shore Beach
Located 40 minutes from Cavendish, Argyle Shore Beach is a part of the Argyle Shore Provincial Park on the south shore of the island. It is known for its bright red soil on the cliffs and the stunning red sand on the beach. There is also a campground here as part of the provincial park if you are looking for somewhere to stay with your dog!
Directions from Cavendish:
From Cavendish, Head South onto PE-13
At the Hunter River intersection, Continue straight
Turn right to stay on PE-13 S (signs for Kellys Cross/Crapaud/Borden Carleton)
(5.1 km)
Turn left onto S Melville Rd/PE-246 S (signs for South Melville)
(9.0 km)
Continue onto PE-19 E
(3.8 km)
Turn right onto Argyle Park Rd
(13 m)
Canoe Cove Beach
Located 40 minutes from Cavendish, Canoe Cove Beach is near Argyle Shore on the south shore as well. There is also great views of the iconic island red cliffs here. When the tide is out, there is plenty of room along the shore here to run with your dog in the ankle deep water.
Directions from Cavendish:
From Cavendish, Head South onto PE-13 to Hunter River
(16.6 km)
Turn left onto Malpeque Rd/Veteran’s Memorial Hwy/All Weather Hwy/PE-2 E (signs for Charlottetown)
(6.9 km)
Turn right onto Colville Rd/PE-9 S (signs for Hampshire)
(11.9 km)
Turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/PE-1 W/PE-9 S
(400 m)
Continue on W River Rd/PE-9 S to Canoe Cove
(8.4 km)
Turn left onto PE-19 E (signs for Rice Point/Nine Mile Creek)
(240 m)
Turn right onto Park Rd
Destination will be on the right
(1.0 km)
While dogs are not permitted on National Park beaches, there is still lots of the National Park you can explore with them! You can walk your dog on a leash on all of the beautiful trails which offer breathtaking views of the coastline. We kindly ask that you pick up after your dog to keep the trail systems clean for all visitors. We hope that you enjoy all that Cavendish and Prince Edward Island has to offer with the company of your four-legged friend!