Basin Head Provincial Beach, Prince Edward Island.

This beach is a very popular beach on Prince Edward Island. Located about 10 minutes past Souris and about 1.5 hours from Charlottetown. Its a mini water park. The attraction is the bridge crossing the channel from one side of the beach to the other. Patrons can either walk the bridge or jump it. Of course there are many signs stating not to jump, however they are just for show. This beach is heavily lifeguarded, whereas most choose to jump. Whats so fun about a day here… well it’s the channel that divides the beach. You can choose to jump from either the walking bridge or from the sides of the warf. However the third option is to slowly walk into the mouth of the channel and float out to sea!… Well not really out to sea, but close to it.

I have been here 3 times. On this particular day we arrived at about 9am, before it became extremely crowed. We got the best seat on the beach… close to the bridge and tucked up by the dunes for shelter. There are lifeguards situated on the dock as well as two located on either side of the channel.

The channel has a strong current, but not too strong. Almost like a natural lazy river at a water park that you can float down. I prefer to gradually get into the water at the start of the channel and float under the bridge out to the main beach. My family will jump just at the right time as I float by. I love it. This beach has a strong current. Some spots are shallow and then you can step and the water is over your head. I would be very careful with young children, not to let them out of my sight. When you float through the channel you eventually will hit shallow sand bar before the shoreline becomes too deep, however due to the movement of the water this could change each year.

• wheel chair accessible
• indoor washrooms
• plenty of parking
• a small gift shop
• takeout eatery
• lifeguards
• paddle board rentals

This beach is a whole lot of fun. If you love to swim or float.. this is the beach for you. I have been here a few times and plan to return. It’s one of my family’s favourites.