Prince Edward Island Lighthouses

Prince Edward Island, smallest of the ten Canadian provinces, is located in the southern part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, separated from the mainland by the Northumberland Strait. The island is readily accessible by the Confederation Bridge from Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick or by car ferry from Caribou, Nova Scotia.

The Prince Edward Island Lighthouse Society works for the preservation of the island's light stations. As far as I know, the society does not have a web site of its own.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights; Notmar numbers are from the Canadian Coast Guard's Atlantic list; Admiralty numbers are from Volume H of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals; and U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 110, Atlantic Coast of the Americas. Unless noted otherwise, all active lights are owned and operated by the Canadian Coast Guard.

What's Hot:

Sea threatens West Point Light

General Sources

Prince Edward Island Lighthouses

Directions and access information posted by the provincial goverment as part of its InfoPEI site.

Prince Edward Island Lighthouses

Photos and brief notes by Lorne Hull.

Lighthouses of Prince Edward Island

Photos from a 1999 tour by Diane Poremsky.

Lighthouses in Prince Edward Island, Canada

Aerial photos posted by Marinas.com.

Prince Edward Island Lighthouses

Historical article, with small photos, by Carol Livingstone.

Prince Edward Island Lighthouses

Listing with data provided by Michel Forand.

North Cape Light
photo copyright Kelly Anne Loughery
used by permission

North Coast Lighthouses
* North Cape: 1867. Active; focal plane 24 m (78 ft); yellow light, 1 s on, 4 s off. 19.5 m (62 ft) octagonal tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Kelly Anne Loughery's photo appears above, Charles Bray has a good photo, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The nearby North Cape Interpretive Center has a museum, aquarium, gift shop, and restaurant. Located on on Lady Slipper Drive, PE 12, at the northwestern tip of the island north of Tignish. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-345; Notmar 1036; Admiralty H1076; NGA 7852.
* Big Tignish (Judes Point) (Range Rear): 1881. Inactive since 1997. Approx. 9 m (30 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern painted red. This abandoned lighthouse seems likely to become endangered, and it appears to be deteriorating in a September 2006 photo by Corey Hallisey. The light was the rear light of a range; the front light was a skeleton tower at the end of the nearby breakwater. Located on Judes Point Road in Tignish Shore. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard(?). Site manager: unknown. ARLHS CAN-037; Admiralty H1080.1.
* Northport Range Rear: 1885. Active; focal plane 13 m (42 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off (visible only on the range line). 12 m (39 ft) square tower with lantern and gallery, lower 2/3 pyramidal and upper third cylindrical. Lighthouse painted white with red trim and a vertical red stripe extending 2/3 of the way down the tower. Marinas.com has aerial photos misidentified as Cascumpeque Light. The front range tower is skeletal. Located at the entrance to Northport Harbour off PE 12 in Alberton. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-355; Notmar 1082; Admiralty H1094.1; NGA 7896.
Cascumpeque (2): 1899 (station established 1856). Inactive since 1970. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) square wood pyramidal tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 2-story wood keeper's house. No closeup photo available. Located on an island guarding the entrance to Northport Harbour. Accessible only by boat; visible from the Northport Range Rear Light. Site status unknown. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-808.
#Cascumpeque (3): 1970. Inactive since 2004; demolished in 2005. 17 m (58 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower with enclosed central cylinder, lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted with red and white horizontal bands; lantern painted red. No closeup photo available. This lighthouse was demolished in June 2005 after being severely damaged by a storm in December 2004. Located on an island guarding the entrance to Northport Harbour. Accessible only by boat; visible from the Northport Range Rear Light. Site status uncertain. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-122; Notmar 1076; Admiralty H1086; NGA 7872.
Little Channel (Hardy's Channel) Range Rear: 1873. Inactive since 1969. Square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, originally attached to a 1-story keeper's cottage. No photo available. The range guided ships through Conway Inlet to the harbor of Poplar Grove; it was replaced by a light on a short skeletal tower. The lighthouse has long been listed as lost, but Michel Forand has discovered that it was moved to the mainland and incorporated into a private residence. Its exact location is not known at present; more information is badly needed. Admiralty H1100; ARLHS CAN-1257.
Malpeque Harbour Approach Range Rear: 1961. Active; focal plane 17 m (55 ft); white light, 1 s on, 1 s off. 15 m (50 ft) skeletal tower with wooden upper portion, lantern and gallery. Skeletal portion painted red, wooden portion white. No photo available. Located at the eastern end of Fish Island. Site and tower closed; visible from Cabot Beach Provincial Park on the other side of the harbor entrance. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-298; Notmar 1067; Admiralty H1106.1; NGA 7924.
* Fish Island (2): 1876 (station established 1856). Inactive since 1961. 14 m (46 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern, formerly attached to a 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white. The lighthouse was replaced by the Malpeque Harbour Approach Range lights. In 1989 the keeper's house was demolished and the light tower was relocated by helicopter (in two sections) to Cabot Beach Provincial Park. In recent years it has been part of the set of a popular television series Emily of New Moon filmed in the park. Located in the park, off PE 20 northwest of Malpeque. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Tourism PEI. Site manager: Cabot Beach Provincial Park. ARLHS CAN-770.
* Malpeque Outer (Darnley Point) Range Front: 1922. Active; focal plane 14 m (45 ft); continuous red light visible only on the range line. 7.5 m (25 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on private property off PE 20 at Proffitts Point, north of Darnley. Site and tower closed but the lighthouse can be viewed from nearby. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-299; Notmar 1062; Admiralty H1116; NGA 7912.
* Malpeque Outer (Darnley Point) Range Rear: 1922. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); continuous red light visible only on the range line. 7.5 m (25 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim and a red vertical stripe on the range line. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on private property off PE 20 at Proffitts Point, north of Darnley. Site and tower closed but the lighthouse can be viewed from nearby. Owner/site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-300; Notmar 1063; Admiralty H1116.1; NGA 7916.

* Covehead Harbour (Cape Stanhope) (2): 1976 (station established 1967). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white flash every 5 s. 8 m (27 ft) square pyramidal wood towe with lantern and galleryr, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. Fog horn (maintained by local harbor authority, blast every 30 s). Peter Hsu has excellent photos, another fine photo is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on the cape north of Stanhope marking the entrance to Covehead Bay. Site open, tower closed. Owner: Canadian Coast Guard. Site manager: Prince Edward Island National Park. ARLHS CAN-150; Notmar 1051; Admiralty H1150; NGA 7996.
* St. Peters Harbour (2): 1881 (station established 1865). Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); white light, 1.5 s on, 3.5 s off. Approx. 8 m (27 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is black. Marinas.com has aerial photos. The lighthouse marks the entrance to St. Peter's Bay. Located at the end of a dirt road off PE 2 between Bristol and Morell; reported accessible by a short walk if grounds are too wet for cars. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: unknown. ARLHS CAN-479; Notmar 1044; Admiralty H1164; NGA 8032.
* Shipwreck Point (Naufrage) (2): 1968 (station established1913). Active; focal plane 25.5 m (84 ft); white light, 3 s on, 2 s off. 13.5 m (44 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. A wintertime closeup is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. "Naufrage" is the French word for "shipwreck." Located off PE 16 at Naufrage Harbour. Site and tower closed (private property) but the lighthouse can be seen from a short distance away. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-459; Notmar 1042. Admiralty H1168; NGA 8036.
**** East Point: 1867. Active; focal plane 30.5 m (100 ft); white flash every 5 s. 19.5 m (64 ft) octagonal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern is red. The former fog signal building is now used as a visitor center and gift shop; a modern dwelling (1965) is staffed by the Coast Guard. A good photo is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. One of the island's most popular tourist attractions. The lighthouse was relocated closer to the water in 1885, and then returned to its original site in 1908 when threatened by erosion. Located at the easternmost point of the island off PE 16 northeast of Souris. Accessible by paved road. Site open; tower open to guided tours from mid June to the end of August. ARLHS CAN-165; Notmar 943; Admiralty H0920; NGA 8072.

East Coast Lighthouses


Murray Harbour Range Rear (2): 1879 (station established 1869). Active; focal plane 17.5 m (58 ft); continuous red light, visible only on the range line. 14 m (45 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a red lantern and a vertical red stripe marking the range line. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located about 1.5 km (almost a mile) southwest of the front range light, in a field on private property. Best viewed from the Beach Point Wharf in Murray Harbour. Site and tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-329; Notmar 965; Admiralty H0954.01; NGA 8144.
**** Cape Bear: 1881. Active; focal plane 22.5 m (74 ft); yellow light, 2 s on, 4 s off.12 m (40 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern is red. The attached 1-story wood annex is a replica (1999) of the Marconi Radio Station that operated here from 1905 to 1922; the original radio station was relocated to Guernsey Cove as a private residence. The annex houses a museum. An excellent closeup is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located at the southeasternmost point of the island, off PE 18. Site open, museum and tower open daily mid-June through mid-September (admission fee). Site manager: Cape Bear Lighthouse and Marconi Station Museum. ARLHS CAN-092; Notmar 971; Admiralty H0950; NGA 8156.

South Coast Lighthouses
Douse Point Range Front: 1898. Inactive since 1984. 5 m (16 ft) square pyramidal wood tower; the light was shown through a square window. Lighthouse painted white. Originally located on Douse Point, on the east side of the entrance to Orwell River from Hillsborough Bay. The two range lights were sold and relocated to private property in Murray River, about 20 km (13 mi) southeast of the original location. Site and tower closed (private). ARLHS CAN-1255.
Douse Point Range Rear: 1898. Inactive since 1984. 7 m (23 ft) square pyramidal wood tower; the light was shown through a square window. Lighthouse painted white. Originally located on Douse Point, on the east side of the entrance to Orwell River from Hillsborough Bay. The two range lights were sold and relocated to private property in Murray River, about 20 km (13 mi) southeast of the original location. Site and tower closed (private). ARLHS CAN-1256.


**** Prim Point (Point Prim): 1846 (Isaac Smith). Active; focal plane 21 m (68 ft); white flash every 5 s.18 m (60 ft) brick tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern and gallery painted red. An excellent closeup photo is available, and Marinas.com has fine aerial photos. This is the oldest lighthouse on the island and the only round brick lighthouse in Canada. The keeper's house has been demolished, but a restaurant and craft shop have been built nearby. Located on PE 209 a few miles west of Wood Islands Light. Site open, tower open to guided tours late June through mid August. The tower stairs are very steep. Site manager: Province of Prince Edward Island. ARLHS CAN-809; Notmar 983; Admiralty H0982; NGA 8192.
Brush Wharf Range Front: 1879. Inactive since around 1950. 5 m (16 ft) square pyramidal wood tower; the light was shown through a square window. No photo available. Originally located on the wharf, close to the Douse Point Range Lights. According to Dave Hunter, this lighthouse has been relocated about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) east. Located off Orwell Cove Road near the intersection of Brush Wharf Road, south of Vernon River. It survives on the property of a private residence, but is in "terrible shape." Site and tower closed (private). ARLHS CAN-1252.
St. Peter's Island (3): 1981 (station established 1881). Active; focal plane 21 m (68 ft); white flash every 4 s. 9 m (30 ft) tower, described as white with a red upper portion. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on the southeast side of the island, off the Rice Point area. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-481; Notmar 1007; Admiralty H0996; NGA 8216.
Haszard Point Range Front: 1889. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); continuous yellow light visible only on the range line. 14 m (47 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery. The lantern and front face of the tower are painted red with a black vertical stripe on the range line. The other sides of the tower are painted white. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located off PE 1A in Tea Hill, on the east side of the entrance to Charlottetown's harbor. Site and tower closed; tower is on private property. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-128; Notmar 991; Admiralty H1006; NGA 8228.
Haszard Point Range Rear: 1889. Active; focal plane 46 m (152 ft); continuous yellow light visible only on the range line. 12 m (37 ft) tapered square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery. The lantern and front face of the tower are painted red, with a black vertical stripe on the range line. The other sides of the tower are painted white. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located off PE 1A between Cross Roads and Tea Hill. Site and tower closed; tower is on private property. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-129; Notmar 992; Admiralty H1006.1; NGA 8232.
* Brighton Beach Range Front: 1890. Active; focal plane 12 m (36 ft); continuous yellow light visible in a narrow arc including the range line. 11.5 m (35 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line; lantern painted red. Peter Hsu has a view of the range from the sea, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located in Charlottetown near Queen Elizabeth Drive and Brighton Road; Google has a satellite view. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-126; Notmar 994; Admiralty H1012; NGA 8240.
* Brighton Beach Range Rear (2): 1969 (station established 1890). Active; focal plane 26.5 m (87 ft); continuous yellow light visible in a narrow arc including the range line. 18 m (60 ft) hexagonal concrete tower flaring outward at the top to support the gallery. Lighthouse is white with a red vertical stripe on the range line. Peter Hsu has a view of the range from the sea. Located on Queen Elizabeth Drive in Charlottetown. Tower is on private property but can be viewed at close range from the street. Site and tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-127; Notmar 995; Admiralty H1012.1; NGA 8244.

* Leards Range Rear: 1879. Active; focal plane 31 m (101) ft; continuous green light. 14 m (45 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line; lantern roof painted red. Located about 800 m (1/2 mi) northwest of the front range light near the bridge at the head of Victoria harbor. The site is on private property, but the tower is reported to be open sometimes during the summer. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-513; Notmar 1009; Admiralty H1028.1; NGA 8268.
Wrights Range Front: 1894. Active; focal plane 7 m (24 ft); quick-flashing red light. 3.5 m (12 ft) square tower, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line. No lantern; the light is displayed through a square opening. This tiny lighthouse is located on private property on a bluff overlooking Victoria; it is visible from the waterfront. Site and tower closed. Site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-516; Notmar 1010; Admiralty H1032; NGA 8272.
Wrights Range Rear: 1894. Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 10 m (32 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with square lantern and gallery, painted white with a red vertical stripe on the range line. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located in the yard of a privately-owned cottage about 1/2 mile west of the front range light. Site and tower closed. Site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-517; Notmar 1011; Admiralty H1032.1; NGA 8276.
* Port Borden Range Front: 1917. Inactive since 1997. 6.5 m (22 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with square lantern, painted white presumably with a red vertical stripe on the range line. Lorne Hull has a good photo showing both Port Borden range lights with the Port Borden Pier Light and Confederatio Bridge in the background. Located on the shore near the former Port Borden ferry terminal, made obsolete by the bridge. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Borden-Carleton Marine/Rail Historical Park. ARLHS CAN-803; Admiralty H1040.
* Port Borden Range Rear: 1917. Inactive since 1997. 12 m (35 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with square lantern, painted white, formerly with a red vertical stripe on the range line, but the stripe has apparently been removed. Charles Bray has a 2005 photo. Now located on the grounds of a museum. Site open June through October, tower closed. Site manager: Borden-Carleton Marine/Rail Historical Park. ARLHS CAN-054; Admiralty H1040.1.
Port Borden Pier: 1925. Active; focal plane 10 m (33 ft); green light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 9 m (28 ft) hexagonal pyramidal wood tower with square lantern and hexagonal gallery, painted white with red trim. Located on the end of the former ferry pier at Borden-Carleton. Site and tower closed (privately owned pier). Site manager: Marine Atlantic. ARLHS CAN-052; Notmar 1017.5; Admiralty H1039; NGA 8292.
* Seacow Head: 1864. Active; focal plane 27 m (88 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off, 2 s on, 6 s off. 18 m (60 ft) octagonal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern and gallery painted red. A good photo is available, Hsu has a view from the sea, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. This is one of the oldest surviving wooden lighthouses in Canada. The lighthouse was relocated in 1979 to escape erosion of the bluff on which it stands. Located off PE 119 in Fernwood. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-453; Notmar 1018; Admiralty H1046; NGA 8308.

* Summerside Range Rear (2): Date unknown (station established 1898). Active; focal plane 24.5 m (81 ft); continuous green light visible only on the range line. 20 m (66 ft) square wood tower with lantern and gallery, lower 2/3 pyramidal and upper 1/3 cylindrical; square lantern. Tower painted white with a vertical red stripe on the range line; lantern painted red. Marinas.com has aerial photos. Located on Glover's Shore Road in Summerside. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-489; Notmar 1022; Admiralty H1050.1; NGA 8324.
* Cape Egmont: 1884. Active; focal plane 22 m (72 ft); white light, 2 s on, 3 s off. 13 m (42 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted red. The keeper's house, formerly attached, has been demolished. A good closeup photo is available, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The lighthouse was relocated in 1998 to escape erosion of the bluff on which it stands. Located at the end of an unmarked gravel road off PE 11 at Cape Egmont. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-114; Notmar 1024; Admiralty H1056; NGA 8328.

West Coast Lighthouses

**** West Point
1876. Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white light, 6 s on, 6 s off. 20 m (67 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with lantern and gallery, painted with black and white horizontal bands; lantern painted red. The 2-story wood keeper's house was demolished but has been reconstructed on the original plans; some of the original furnishings are displayed. Lorne Hull has good photos, and Marinas.com has aerial photos. The lighthouse deteriorated after being automated in 1963. The West Point Development Corporation restored the light station beginning in 1982. The station now offers overnight accommodations and includes a restaurant as well as the museum. However, the lighthouse is endangered by beach erosion. Located on PE 14 at the southwestern tip of Prince Edward Island. Site open; guest rooms available and museum and tower open mid May to late September. Site manager: West Point Development Corporation. ARLHS CAN-524; Notmar 1029; Admiralty H1062; NGA 8360.

* Howards Cove (2)

1976 (station established 1960). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); white light, 2 s on, 4 s off. 6 m (19 ft) square pyramidal wood tower with square lantern and gallery, painted white with red trim; lantern roof painted red. Located on private property overlooking the Seal Point harbour, off PE 14 near Howard's Cove. Site and tower closed, although the lighthouse can be viewed from nearby. Site manager: Canadian Coast Guard. ARLHS CAN-232; Notmar 1032; Admiralty H1068.1; NGA 8380.

* Miminegash Range Rear (1)

1886. Inactive since 1972. 8 m (27 ft) square pyramidal wood tower, painted white with red trim; the lantern roof is red. A photo is available. Formerly located at Miminegash south of North Cape. Once relocated to the side of PE 12 at Kildare, the lighthouse is reported to have been moved again. Information is needed on its current location. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: private. ARLHS CAN-319.

West Point Light
photo copyright Kelly Anne Loughery
used by permission

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Belle Creek (1913-1936), south coast; ARLHS CAN-1251.
Brush Point Range Rear (1879-ca.1950), Hillsborough Bay, south coast; ARLHS CAN-1253.
Cardigan River (1883-1967), east coast; ARLHS CAN-1254.
Douse Point Range Front and Rear (1898-ca. 1980), Hillsborough Bay, south coast; ARLHS CAN-1255-56.
Miminegash Range Front (1886-1972), Miminegash, west coast; ARLHS CAN-318.
Northport Range Front (1905-?), Cascumpeque Harbour, north coast; ARLHS CAN-354.
Sandy Island Range Front (1897-?), Cascumpeque Harbour, north coast; ARLHS CAN-1258.
Souris East Breakwater (1907-ca. 1971), Souris Harbour, east coast; ARLHS CAN-464.
Tracadie Range Rear (1876-1920s), Tracadie Bay, north coast; ARLHS CAN-504.

Notable faux lighthouses:

Quartermaster Marina, Charlottetown, has what appears to be an active lighthouse, but it is not recognized as an aid to navigation.

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