Point Prim Lighthouse is the oldest on the island and one of the best known. It was built in 1845 and stands at 2147 Point Prim on Route 209 in Belfast, on the Points East Coastal Drive, at the end of a long peninsula that reaches out into Northumberland Strait. The tower is round and made of brick, and the page describes it as a national heritage site. Visitors can climb the tower to a height of 60 feet above sea level, look out over the strait and Hillsborough Bay, see historic displays, visit the gift shop, take a guided tour and picnic nearby. It is a pure coast sight, and a simple, memorable half-day from Charlottetown.
What to do
Climb the tower for the view, which takes in the water on both sides of the peninsula, and then walk the grounds and the shoreline. Inside, the displays cover the history of the light and its keepers, and there is a virtual tour from the first floor for visitors who cannot manage the stairs.
A gift shop and a picnic area round out the stop. The setting is open and exposed, so the wind, the changing light on the water and the line of farmland leading out to the point are part of the experience.
Seasons and planning
Tourism PEI lists the lighthouse as open to the public from May 15 to October 31, which means it is closed to visitors on 7 November 2026. The page does not give daily hours or admission prices, so check before you drive out in season.
Out of season you can still reach the point by road and see the tower from outside, though you cannot climb it and services are closed. Wind is the main hazard in the shoulder months, so dress warmly, and watch the weather if you plan to drive the peninsula road.
Fitting it in
The lighthouse is about 30 minutes by car from Charlottetown, across the water on the south shore, so it makes a natural half-day with a stop at Skmaqn-Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst on the way and, if you have time, the Wood Islands area further along. It also appears on private lighthouse tours of the island, which can combine several lights in one day without a car.
Allow one to two hours on site, including a climb and time on the shore. A rental car is the simplest way to get here; there is little public transport on this stretch of the coast.
Who it suits
Lighthouse enthusiasts, photographers, couples on a coastal drive and families with children who like climbing. The climb involves stairs and a narrow tower, so it is less suitable for anyone with limited mobility, who may prefer the virtual tour on the first floor. If you only have time for one lighthouse, this is the one with the strongest history and the most complete visitor experience in season, and it sits on a coast road that is a pleasure in its own right.
In the shoulder months the light is lower and the point is emptier, which many photographers prefer, but the wind makes layers, gloves and a hat sensible even on a sunny afternoon.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit to a heritage lighthouse, with a climb to the top of the tower, displays, a gift shop and a picnic area.
Best time
May 15 to October 31 for the climb; the point can be visited by road outside the season but the tower is closed.
How long
One to two hours including the climb and time on the shore.
Tips
Dress for wind, check hours and admission before you drive, and combine it with Skmaqn-Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst on a south shore day.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Lighthouse fans, photographers and anyone who likes a coastal drive with a clear goal.
- Families
- Children who like climbing enjoy the tower; the stairs are narrow, so supervise closely.
- Couples
- A late-afternoon visit for the light on the strait, then dinner in Charlottetown.
- Pair with
- Skmaqn-Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst, the Points East Coastal Drive and the private lighthouse tour.
- Time needed
- Half a day, including the drive from Charlottetown.
Good questions
Is Point Prim Lighthouse open in November?+
No. Tourism PEI lists it as open to the public from May 15 to October 31. Out of season you can see it from outside but cannot climb it.
How old is the lighthouse?+
It was built in 1845 and is described as the oldest lighthouse on Prince Edward Island. It is a round brick tower.
Can I climb it?+
Yes, in season. Visitors can climb to about 60 feet above sea level for views over Northumberland Strait and Hillsborough Bay. A virtual tour from the first floor is available for those who cannot climb.
Where is it?+
It is at 2147 Point Prim on Route 209 in Belfast, on the Points East Coastal Drive, about 30 minutes by car from Charlottetown.
What does it cost?+
The Tourism PEI page does not list admission prices, so check before you visit in season.
