Park Report: White sands and golden dunes

White sands and golden dunes

By: Craig Romano

Produced by: Michael Fagin

Panmure Island Provincial Park, Prince Edward Island

A funny thing happened to Panmure Island during the last century. The isolated and beautiful 320-hectare island in Georgetown Harbour ceased being an island! A natural causeway formed, and with a little help from local residents placing additional rocks and earth, Panmure became connected to the rest of Prince Edward Island. Dunes soon followed, grasses colonized, and sandy beaches emerged. This whole new stretch of coastline, 40-hectares worth, became Panmure Island Provincial Park.

Panmure offers beachcombers two different shorelines, bayside and Oceanside, to walk and explore. The Oceanside beaches consist of white sands and provide far-reaching views of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They’re considered by many a traveller as being among the prettiest beaches in the province. A backdrop of vast sand dunes gives them a touch of seclusion from the park’s developed areas. Panmure’s west coast consists of beaches along St. Mary’s Bay. The bay’s quiet and sheltered waters make it ideal for canoeing and kayaking.

Several beaches on both the ocean and bay are supervised during the summer months. Panmure Island Provincial Park also has a 44-site campground complete with hot showers and kitchen shelters. Children will especially like the look-out tower that provides sweeping views over the dunes. Bicycle rentals are available at the park and the adjacent area’s quiet country roads make for inviting rides.

While at the park, be sure to allot some time to visit the neighboring community of Panmure Island. A handful of historic sites are scattered across the former island, including a cemetery that dates back to 1813. Panmure Island’s most famous and visited landmark is its lighthouse. Built in 1853, this 18-metre tall structure consists of four storeys graced with gabled windows. Tours of the lighthouse are offered during the summer. On a clear day, Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island can be seen from the beacon.

If you’re visiting Panmure in August, consider attending the annual Mi’kmaq Pow Wow. Hosted by the Abegweit First Nation, the Pow Wow includes drumming, dancing, craft making, and healing ceremonies. The Mi’Kmaqs were the first settlers of Panmure, back when it was still an island.

Panmure Island Provincial Park is located 65 kilometres east of Charlottetown.

For more information visit: http://www.gov.pe.ca/visitorsguide/explore/parks/panmureisland.php3