PEI - August 2002
 

Looking for recommendations. We'd like to rent a cottage for a week and then explore the Island from there. Waterfront or nearby is essential as we are beach people. What's the best area? Thanks!

PEI is such a rural place even with the relatively new Confederation Bridge from NB, I strongly recommend being in Charlottetown. Summerside is closer to the beaches, but is a very small town. If your primary interest is the beach, the North Shore in PEI National Park on the North Atlantic is a must for water temperature (which still never gets out of the 60's, but is balmy due to the North Atlantic Drift Currents compared even with Maine)and long interesting dunes and rock formations.

Holly: You don't say whether you have kids, or, not. I like the new part of the National Park on the North Shore called the Dunes, which can be easily accessed from St. Peters Bay, or Panmure Provincial Park near Montague. Both areas are beautiful, and have great beaches. However, if you have children, there are not a lot of other distractions, at least of the commercial variety. If you need these, you're probably better off to be around Cavendish. In any event, send away for the Accomodation Guide published by the P.E.I. Ministry of Tourism. It is very comprehensive. Not to be picky, but the ocean water temp. in P.E.I. has nothing to do with the Gulf Stream, or North Atlantic Drift, which flows hundreds of miles East of P.E.I. on its way to Europe. It has everything to do with the shallow water, and the sandy bottom which can absorb the ultra violet radiation, and re-radiate it as heat back into the water. Have a great holday.

The response citing St. Peters area as the best (North Shore, east of the National Park, Cavendish area) is a well researched tip.<BR><BR>If you want huge white sand-dunes, the long, wide beach on the North Shore in the area known as Lakeside (near St. Peters) is fabulous.<BR><BR>You can't see the water from most of the cottages because they are behind the dunes, and there is no lifeguard there.<BR><BR>If you want this balance:<BR><BR>waterfront with a view of open water, a curved, shallow sandbar beach environment steps away which is great for kids, (no lifeguard, but hard for them to get into trouble unless heavy surf)and several gorgeous "white dune" beaches nearby, try Savage Harbour.<BR><BR>I'd be happy to recommend a group of waterfront cottages there if you like, we have a place we go back to that's very nice.<BR><BR>Signed,<BR><BR>A "previous generation islander"<BR><BR>[email protected]

Holly, <BR>I was just checking out Italy and then decided to turn to PEI. If you haven't found anything yet I own a cottage at Savage Harbour. It's our family place but it is available for certain weeks when we're not using it. The first week in Aug. is available. Right on oceanfront. Gorgeous sandy beach,off by itself--minutes from golf, deep sea fishing, horseback riding, good restaruants etc.

Was reading throough and saw your nore about a cottage. If the intended reader is not interested I may be. could you post a reply. Thanks.