Things to Do

Where the Sun Rises and the Tides Meet

Perched on the easternmost tip of Prince Edward Island, the Rural Municipality of Eastern Kings is where the Island’s rolling red-clay farmland reaches out to the open Atlantic. Part of the Points East Coastal Drive, our stretch of coastline runs from Red Point, out to East Point, and down the North Side to Bull Creek Road, offering a landscape of singing beaches, working harbours, a 150-year-old lighthouse, and sweeping wind turbines turning steadily against the sky.

Whether you’re here for a day trip or a summer-long stay, here are some of the top attractions that make Eastern Kings worth the drive.

Basin Head Provincial Park • The Singing Sands

No visit to Eastern Kings is complete without a stop at Basin Head, nicknamed the “Singing Sands” for its rare, high-silica white sand that squeaks, and on the right day, almost sings. It’s one of only a handful of beaches in the world with this natural phenomenon, and it consistently ranks among Canada’s best beaches.

  • Boardwalk & “the Run”: A boardwalk leads from the museum and parking area down to the beach, where a bridge crosses “the run” – the narrow, fast-moving channel between the harbour and the open water that’s a favourite spot for kids (and the young at heart) to float with the current.
  • Basin Head Fisheries Museum: Perched on the bluff above the beach, this museum tells the story of PEI’s inshore fishing industry through historic photos, artifacts, and hands-on exhibits.
  • Marine Protected Area: The waters around Basin Head are one of Canada’s few land-accessible Marine Protected Areas, home to a rare strain of Irish moss found nowhere else on the Island.
  • Amenities: Lifeguards on duty in peak season, washrooms, outdoor showers, a canteen, gift shops, and a children’s play area.

Located on Route 16, roughly a 15-minute drive from Souris.

East Point Lighthouse • Canada’s Confederation Lighthouse

Standing at the very tip of the Island where the Atlantic Ocean, the Northumberland Strait, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence meet in a swirl of “colliding tides,” East Point Lighthouse has guided ships since 1867, the same year Canada became a nation, earning it the nickname “Canada’s Confederation Lighthouse.”

  • Climb to the top: Take the 67 steps up the 64-foot tower for a sweeping, 360-degree view of the coastline, the wind turbines, and on a clear day, all three bodies of water at once.
  • History underfoot: Inside, you’ll find original lamps, lenses, and equipment, along with signatures scratched into the walls by shipwreck survivors from the 1800s, including crew from the HMS Phoenix, which wrecked nearby in 1882.
  • Guided and self-guided tours: Storyboards throughout share the lighthouse’s history, its five keepers (who served from 1867 to automation in 1989), and the treacherous reefs that made this one of the most dangerous stretches of coast in the Maritimes.
  • On-site: Gift shop, picnic grounds, and deck chairs for taking in the view.

Open daily June through September, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Located at 404 Lighthouse Road, East Point.

The Eastern Kings Wind Farm • Renewable Energy on the Horizon

You’ll spot them long before you arrive: the turbines of the East Point Wind Farm, ten Vestas V-90 turbines that have quietly powered thousands of Island homes since 2006. Each turbine stands about 81 metres to the hub — roughly the height of a 26-storey building — with 90-metre rotor blades that are visible for kilometres across the flat coastal farmland.

  • A distinctive Island landscape: The turbines have become a signature part of the eastern PEI skyline, especially striking at sunrise and sunset, or viewed from the top of East Point Lighthouse.
  • Clean energy at work: Together, the turbines generate enough power for roughly 11,000 homes a year and are part of PEI’s broader push toward renewable energy, alongside the North Cape and Hermanville/Clearspring wind farms.
  • A community landmark: Owned and operated by the PEI Energy Corporation, the wind farm has been part of the Eastern Kings landscape for nearly two decades and remains an active topic in local development planning.

Best viewed from Route 16 near East Point, or from the top of the lighthouse tower.

More to Explore in Eastern Kings

Red Point Provincial Park

A smaller, quieter beach with unusually white, dry sand for the region, reached by a short staircase down from the bluff. Lifeguards on duty in season, with tidal pools to explore and a nearby campground for those looking to stay a little longer.

Elmira Railway Museum

Housed in the restored 1912 Elmira train station, once the easternmost stop on the PEI Railway, this museum tells the story of railroading on the Island through photographs, artifacts, and one of Atlantic Canada’s largest model railway collections. Kids (and adults) can also take a ride on the PEI Miniature Railway, or set out from here on the Confederation Trail, which begins its 279-km run across the Island right at Elmira’s door.

North Lake, the “Tuna Capital of the World”

Just up the shore from Basin Head, the fishing harbour of North Lake has earned its nickname honestly. It’s home to some of the world’s most celebrated giant bluefin tuna charters, with catches regularly topping 500 pounds. Even if you’re not fishing, it’s a great spot to watch the boats come in or grab fresh, local seafood.

Beaches, Farmland & the Open Road

Beyond the marquee attractions, Eastern Kings is simply a beautiful place to slow down: red cliffs and dune-backed beaches along the shore, green farmland dotted with grazing cattle, and quiet country roads perfect for a scenic drive or bike ride along the Points East Coastal Drive.

Plan Your Visit

Most attractions in Eastern Kings operate seasonally, typically from June through September. For hours, admission, and event details, we recommend checking directly with each site before you visit:

Have a question about visiting Eastern Kings? Contact the Municipal Office — we’re happy to help you plan your trip.