This post is in partnership with Tourism PEI, who allowed me to explore the island and write about my favourite aspects. I had no idea my day in Souris PEI would be turn out to my favourite of the trip.
The only thing wrong with Souris PEI, is that I hadn’t discovered this little eastern island town earlier!
Although I’ve been to Prince Edward Island many times, it has mostly been focused on travel in and around Charlottetown.
Sure I’ve driven around to other areas of the island – I drove all around to write about my favourite restaurants in Prince Edward Island.
But I dined and dashed, not spending much time in the different towns in PEI.
And so this summer I was especially interested in discovering other regions.
And I had so much fun on eastern PEI but my day in Souris was my favourite.
HOW FAR IS SOURIS PEI FROM CHARLOTTETOWN?
Just 79 kilometers from Charlottetown, Souris is a small eastern. coastal town with a little more than 1000 people.
But don’t let the distance or small numbers discourage you from coming.
It has everything you need.
The main street has lots to offer if you’re in eastern PEI from a grocery store to dollar store and some great shopping and food along the water.
And many people know it as the ferry point to visit Îles de la Madeleine
In the summer they have a Lobster Festival in June, Mermaid Tears Sea Glass Festival in July and in December there’s a Santa Claus parade.
My last visit to PEI I spent five days on the island, but by far my favourite day was in Souris.
So let me tell you why I love this friendly little town…
EVERGREEN CAFE
My first stop on Main Street, Evergreen Cafe is in the Historic Matthew and MacLean Building, which conveniently is next door to the tourist information office!
Sometimes you walk into a coffee shop and you just know it’s going to be good.
It’s not so much the decor, but more so when you walk through the door and staff turn to smile and welcome you.
Smiles are really underrated.
And Evergreen Cafe has all of it. Lots of coffee options including cold brew, tea, baked goods, sandwiches and soups.
Some people would rather eat at a pub so they can have a pint…but Evergreen has draught beer too.
And you’ll get it with a genuine smile.
95 Main St, Souris, PE C0A 2B0
ARTISANS ON MAIN
If you’re looking to support local artists and find unique souvenirs this is the place to go.
Stepping into the store you’ll find a number of great pieces from canvas paintings to purses, jewelry to local pottery at an incredible price and painted handsaws that an artist recycles by painting local scenery.
Artisans on Main Souris is a nonprofit organization run by a membership of thirty local artists.
There is usually one of the artisans present in the shop.
And as a non-profit all purchases are tax free.
120 Main St, Souris, PE C0A 2B0
FUN AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION
Although I stayed at this incredible airbnb that I would recommend to anyone, I think it would have been fun to sleep overnight at these Shanty Stays.
Inspired by traditional fishing shanties at working harbours, these 12×12 rustic cabins are a bargain at $89/night.
If you’re with a group and need a whole house or cottage:
- Little Barn Cottage fits 4 people is cottage chic and a 15 minute walk from a beach
- Noella’s by the Sea fits 6 people and has a fantastic terrace
- Beach Therapy is a luxe 2 bedroom suite with its own boardwalk to the ocean.
SOURIS BEACH GATEWAY PARK
One of the newer areas of Souris, you will likely drive by it as you come into town.
A boardwalk with shops and restaurants, it looks out onto Souris Beach which sea glass hunters love.
The park has washrooms, an outdoor shower and change facilities as well as a playground if kids tire of the beach, if that could happen?
East Coast Paddling Adventures offers paddleboard and kayak rentals, along with bicycles too.
Normally I wouldn’t risk eating at a restaurant right on a beach, fearing it would be expensive and mediocre.
However, both the Poke Shack and Lobster Shack get rave reviews.
8 Main St, Souris, PE C0A 2B0
POTATO FUDGE
There is not only one but two Oh Fudge PEI Potato Fudge shops in Souris, one in the downtown core and another at Souris Beach Gateway Park.
In Prince Edward Island potato fudge recipes vary. However, many are a fudge made with mashed potatoes, unsweetened chocolate, sugar and other flavours.
Oh Fudge does things a bit differently.
Fudge here is made with potato puree. They do not add cups of sugar to sweeten it.
Instead Oh Fudge sweetens the fudge with fine quality melting chocolate and emulsions.
And it turns out potato fudge is delicious. We bought two boxes but really should have bought a third.
112 Main St, Souris, PE C0A 2B0
ONE OF THE BEST LOBSTER ROLLS ON PEI
Although everyone raves about the Poke Shack, it was closed when I arrived at Souris Beach Gateway Park.
But sometimes the biggest disappointments bring great surprises.
Chef Jason Mullin, the Sour Chef at Inn at Bay Fortune, told me The Lobster Shack had one of the best no frills lobster rolls in PEI.
And he was right!
I’m a purist, I want to taste lobster on my rolls, don’t mess up the flavour by throwing a bunch of things on top of it!
Restaurants in Saint John
This was a light base of mayo with a buttered hot dog bun, served with potato chips and a few pickles for $12.95.
Simple is usually the best, and this is one of the cheaper rolls on the island, but don’t let that fool you.
Grab a roll and enjoy the beach views.
8 Main St, Souris, PE C0A 2B0
SOURIS EAST LIGHTHOUSE
There are many lighthouses on Prince Edward Island – to be exact there are 63.
Only 35 of them are still in active use. 7 are privately owned and another 7 are national historic sites.
The Souris East Lighthouse is considered a symbol of the town.
It was built in 1880 and it’s one of the few where you can take a tour and climb to the top and walk out onto the balcony.
On a clear day you can see the Cape Breton Highlands.
And if you’re hungry… there is also an ice cream shop with freak shakes in the gift shop. In PEI you’re never very far from ice-cream.
134 Breakwater St, Souris, PE C0A 2B0
INN AT BAY FORTUNE
One of the things I love about Chef Michael Smith is that he really celebrates Prince Edward Island as Canada’s Food Island.
This summer Inn at Bay Fortune hosted dinners inside the inn and an epic summer picnic menu.
This outdoor dining event was on picnic tables and Adirondack chairs. We started with oysters and wine then moved onto a meal that was so large we brought half of it home.
The maple brown butter was so good I had to ask for the recipe, which I promise to share soon!
Although they may not continue with the picnic in 2021 I’m confident that whatever they do it will be incredible and feature the best PEI food and drink has to offer.
Insiders Tip: Bring some mosquito repellent if you come at 7pm because at dusk the bugs are also looking to nip at your ankles.
758 Route 310, Souris, PE C0A 2B0
INCREDIBLE BEACHES
There are so many great beaches in Souris. There are nook and cranny private spots where you’ll be the only ones with toes in the sands, perfect for kite surfing.
And then there are Souris beaches, which are great for families and supervised beaches with lifeguards.
Here are the 3 most popular beaches:
Basin Head Provincial Park
Basin Head is a very popular beach but it’s also large enough that you don’t feel crowded.
It is often called one of the best beaches in Canada – although I think many of PEI’s beaches would make this list!
It is sometimes called Singing Sands, because there is a lot of silica in the white sand so when you step on the sand it sings back to you.
It’s a great bet if you want to spend the day as there is a supervised beach, children’s play area, kayak and paddle board rentals and showers along with food on site.
There is also a Fisheries Museum on site.
I personally like the beach carpet on one side of the beach, which makes walking through the soft sand much easier.
318 Basin Head Rd, Souris, PE C0A 2B0
Sally’s Beach Provincial Park
Another great beach in Souris PEI, it is unsupervised; however, there are still washrooms, change rooms and picnic tables.
There are also two short trails the start from the beach with interpretitive signs and great views.
736 Spry Point Rd, Souris, PE C0A 2B0
Red Point Provincial Park
Technically in Elmira, but it’s practically neighbours with Basin Head so I think it’s worth including as a Souris beach.
It is a very popular family beach in Souris, as it is part of a popular campground and has lifeguards on site.
They have a great playground and regularly offer activities for children.
249 Red Point Park Rd, Elmira, PE C0A 1K0
FARTHER AFIELD – PEI ROAD TRIPS
Okay so technically these two things are NOT in Souris PEI.
However, they are easily accessible from Souris, which makes the town a great base.
EAST POINT LIGHTHOUSE
Each lighthouse in PEI has something special about it, and this one is known as Canada’s Confederation Lighthouse.
Built in 1867, the year of Confederation, it is the only one from that year that continues to operate.
You can take a tour, or climb 64 feet to the top yourself to see great views of the Atlantic Ocean where the two tides meet at the eastern point.
Down below there are benches below, each dedicated to the lighthouse keepers.
There’s also a great gift shop and an ice cream shop that is so good it needs its own entry so read below!
404 Lighthouse Rd, Elmira, PE C0A 1K0
CHERRY ON TOP CREAMERY
Much like in Nova Scotia, many of the ice cream shops in Prince Edward Island are from the same spot (Scotsburn/Farmers in Nova Scotia, and ADL in PEI).
And it’s really good ice cream. But as you can get it anywhere it’s not worth driving for.
Cherry on Top Creamery is different.
Rebecca Kozak moved to PEI in 2017 and worked with Chef Michael Smith.
As a CFA (come from away) she took her experience and new found appreciation for PEI food and the island ingredients and opened up her own ice cream shop.
She offers a healthy balance of island favourites, new flavours and non-dairy/vegan options.
And for those who love freak shakes, she has those too.
EVERYTHING is made in house. She makes the waffle cones down to the sprinkles.
Vanilla bean, sea salt caramel and oreo cheesecake are always on the menu but otherwise it rotates.
I chose a raspberry white chocolate, that had chunks of raspberries AND white chocolate.
It’s so good that while this spot is open May to October Rebecca is working to open a second location on Main Street in Souris.
Just another reason to love Souris PEI.
404 Lighthouse Rd, Elmira, PE C0A 1K0
What else would you recommend doing in Souris PEI? Let me know in the comments below.
For next sesson a visit to Elmira Railway Station is a must. Revisit the days gone by with a tour of the museum and a ride on the train.
That is a great tip, thanks for letting me know about it!
What a wonderful place. I hope to visit this place one day.
Great job Ayngelina….. Leaving Kentville in 1992 I went off to Souris for my first teaching job. It’s a great gateway for the Magdalene Islands and Mom (music teacher Mrs. Kennedy!) was able to come visit and we went off to the Maggies from there. Much has changed in Souris since then, and I’ll be returning this September with my hubby. We’ll be staying at Singing Sands, and I took notes on your article so we don’t miss some of these highlights. Thanks so much, this is a great article!