North Shore Explorations

This camping trip is unparalleled on Prince Edward Island for its dramatic windswept beauty and tranquility. The North Shore has a chain of barrier sand dunes stretching across the opening to Malpeque Bay, creating a unique and stunning vista of ocean and dunes. As a backdrop, there are red sandstone cliffs and the pastoral landscape that typify the Island’s farming heritage. Malpeque Bay is one of PEI’s richest birding areas, including one of the Island’s largest cormorant colonies. And of course we’ll sample the oysters that have made the bay famous all over the world.

Day One

You will be picked up from your hotel in Charlottetown at 8:30 am (or you may want to meet us in North Rustico).  You will meet and get to know your guides during the shuttle to the launch site in Malpeque Bay. We’ll pack our kayaks together, and you’ll receive some instruction on the beach prior to our launch. Once on the water, we’ll practice boat handling – it won’t take long before you fall into the peaceful rhythm of ocean kayaking. Your guides will prepare a delicious lunch (perhaps smoked salmon with bagels or lobster rolls?) while you relax, dig for clams, beachcomb or take a dip. We’ll pass by Bird Island, home to a cormorant nesting colony, then camp on a beach on Hog Island. We aim to arrive in late afternoon, to allow plenty of time for walking, swimming, snorkeling, reading, and stargazing.

Day Two

As we rise in the warm rays of the morning sun, we’ll have coffee and a leisurely breakfast before packing up and continuing in the kayaks. We’ll continue along the shore of Hog Island past Lennox Island, where we may stop in for a visit to the Mi’q ma’q Interpretive Centre, or a walk along the hiking trails. Ask your guide about the natural history of the Island, hear some local stories, or just enjoy the tranquility of this lovely shore.  Our campsite will be at the western end of Hog Island.

Day Three

We’ll let the weather dictate our best pickup location today – sometimes we explore the Narrows in the morning, then land at Green Park Provincial Park, where there is a shipbuilding museum and sheltered saltmarshes to explore. Other times we continue along the low red cliffs of Malpeque Bay and land at Belmont Provincial Park beach. In either case, we’ll get in a nice morning paddle, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and then be met by the van and trailer to shuttle back to Charlottetown between 2 and 4 pm.

Notes

This trip is suitable for paddlers with some experience. Bear in mind that we are paddling on the ocean and wind and weather will be a factor. Poor weather may force us to change our paddling plans – for example, we sometimes run the trip in the opposite direction, stay within the shelter of the bays, or paddle down a tidal river. Expect to be in the kayaks about four hours each day, with at least two breaks.

To book this trip call toll free at 1-800-207-3899.

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