For many years, you had to catch the ferry to gain access to Prince Edward Island. At peak times, your travel time could be delayed for as long as eight hours and at times even overnight. The crossing of the Northumberland Strait could put a real damper on your visit.
That problem vanished forever with the opening of the Confederation Bridge. It is a fixed link to this quaint island. Tourists are rushing over the longest bridge spanning ice covered waters in the world, in record numbers.
The Confederation Bridge is an awesome sight, though you can't see much once you get on it. High sides have been constructed to stop the strong crosswinds of the Northumberland Strait from blowing cars into the cold water. With the completion of the bridge, the once lengthy ferry crossing time has been reduced to approximately ten minutes. The Confederation Bridge was difficult to construct and is a toll bridge. You pay $36.00 Canadian per car on the return trip.
Once you have crossed the bridge, there is much to see and do. The island is surrounded by the warmest beaches north of Virginia. Rolling sand dunes and spectacular sunsets have made the beaches of this small island world famous.
Prince Edward Island has both The North and South Shores. The Cavendish area is located along the North Shore. Here, the public beaches are watched by Surf-Guards to ensure the safety of the swimmers.
Prince Edward Island National Park is known for its splendid scenery. Supervised beaches, salt marshes, ponds, woodlands, wildlife and cultural landmarks, including Anne of Green Gables can all be viewed within the park's boundaries. Food stores, gift shops and other accommodations are plentiful. In summer, activities include birdwatching, cultural campfires and beach walks.
As you drive the roads of the island, you will be amazed at the red clay fields. Potatoes grown in abundance here. They are the Island's main crash crop and are exported throughout Canada.
Prince Edward Island consists of spectacular seascapes, rolling farmland, tiny villages and bustling harbors. The beauty of the land is what inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery to write her famous "Anne of Green Gables," series. Thousands of visitors from around the globe visit the tiny island each year to see the magical sights described in Montgomery's stories.
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