Charlottetown Harbour: Solar Boat Cruise & Heritage Tour

Summary

Solar-powered silence, harbor history and Expo ‘67 stories in Charlottetown

You’ll glide silently across Charlottetown Harbour on North America’s largest solar-powered boat, listening to local stories and exploring Expo ‘67 relics onboard. See cannons at Victoria Park, waterfront mansions battling erosion, and St. Dunstan’s Basilica peeking over Peake’s Wharf—all with live commentary and some quirky trivia moments thrown in.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really expect a boat to feel this quiet—like, almost too quiet at first. We’d barely left Peake’s Wharf in Charlottetown when our captain grinned and said, “No diesel smell, right?” He was right. The only thing I could smell was the salty air drifting in through the open hatches. There was this gentle hum from the solar panels above us, but mostly just water lapping against the hull. I kept looking around for someone to start an engine or something—it never happened.

Our guide (I think his name was Dave? Or maybe Dan—I’m terrible with names) started pointing out bits of history as we slid past Victoria Park. Cannons poking out over the grass, some old stone walls—he joked about how PEI’s idea of defense was “just enough to scare off anyone who can’t swim.” We drifted by these massive houses along the shoreline—one with a huge chunk of its yard basically falling into the sea. Dave explained shoreline erosion and how even million-dollar homes can’t always beat nature. It made me wonder what this place will look like in twenty years.

The trivia part caught me off guard (I got two questions wrong about Canadian provinces—don’t tell my dad). Someone won a tiny PEI flag for knowing about St. Dunstan’s Basilica, which you could see rising behind Peake’s Wharf. The basilica bells rang out just as we passed Cow’s Ice Cream (supposedly world-famous—I’ll have to try it next time). Inside the boat there were all these little pieces of Expo ‘67 memorabilia—menus, faded photos. I spent a while just poking around and thinking about how many people must’ve sat here before me, back when everything smelled like gasoline instead of sunlight and seaweed.

By the end I realized I’d barely noticed time passing at all—just slow water, soft voices, and that weird feeling you get when you’re seeing familiar places from a totally new angle. Still thinking about that silent glide under the sun, honestly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Charlottetown Harbour solar boat tour

• Arrive 30 minutes before tour
• Listen to captain's harbour history
• Pass by Victoria Park and historic fort
• See Charlottetown Harbour entrance and Fort Amherst
• View Birthplace of Canada site
• Observe multi-million dollar houses and shoreline protection
• View Peake's Wharf and Cow's Ice Cream
• Learn about St. Dunstan's Basilica
• See Beaconsfield Historic House

Top questions

How long is the Charlottetown solar boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours on Charlottetown Harbour.

Is there food or drinks available on board?

Yes, food and beverage options are available for purchase right on the boat.

Does the solar boat cruise include live commentary?

Yes, your captain provides live commentary throughout the cruise.

Are there restrooms on board?

Yes, there is a large bathroom available for guests on board.

Is WiFi provided during the harbor experience?

Yes, free WiFi is available throughout your time on the vessel.

Is this tour suitable for children or strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; infants must sit on an adult's lap.

Where does the tour depart from?

The cruise departs from Peake's Wharf in Charlottetown Harbour.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted aboard the vessel.

What’s included

Your cruise includes GST tax coverage, complimentary WiFi so you can share photos instantly (if you want), access to clean restrooms onboard for comfort during your 1.5-hour journey through Charlottetown Harbour—all with live local commentary as you pass historic sites and modern waterfront homes before returning to shore.