With Cancun and Cabo so enticing, sometimes we forget we have a northern neighbor that’s just as beautiful in its own right and reportedly safer than our amigos south of the border.
Tourism in Canada took a downturn for some time, but at least one destination is breaking all-time records.
To our surprise, it’s not Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal — it’s a full-fledged beach getaway!
That’s right — Canada has gorgeous beaches.
This lesser-known island, in particular, is not only charming but also home to otherworldly red-sand shores more reminiscent of Mars than anywhere else in North America.
With Canada’s brutal winter in the rear-view mirror, now is a great time to earn another passport stamp and see for yourself why nearly 2 million vacationers were drawn to Prince Edward Island in 2025.
Mars Or Maine?
Prince Edward Island (aka “PEI”) may not have little green beings running around or suspicious NASA rover findings that definitely aren’t ruins left behind by a long-lost civilization…
But it does have incredibly unique beaches, something AI would conjure if you prompted it to make Utah a beach destination.
That would bring a whole new meaning to ‘soaking’, huh?
Any way you slice it, PEI is vastly underrated as a vacation spot — one that’s not a copycat either.
As someone who has ventured across the U.S. and 43 other countries, including Canada, I can’t recall ever seeing a true red-sand beach.
White? Black? Gold? Or whatever you want to call Galveston?
Absolutely. But even Nick Saban hasn’t seen these crimson tides…
According to PEI’s official Tourism Board, these are the best places to bear witness to some of North America’s most distinctive beaches:
“The reddest beaches on Prince Edward Island would be across the Red Sands Shore part of the Central Coastal Drive. Places like Chelton Beach and Argyle Shore would be great places to see the red sands. I would also recommend driving through Victoria-by-the-sea, a beautiful little town along the Red Sands Shore Coastal Drive. “
But what about the island’s charm?
The truth is Prince Edward is almost a spitting image of Maine, not Utah.
Expect to find phenomenal seafood shacks, colorful fishing villages, a townscape of colorful buildings, open coastline, and overall, a slower pace of life.
Charlottetown’s census results may not come close to Portland’s population numbers, but it’s a pint-sized gem with similar vibes, undeniably capturing travelers’ attention.
Connecting The Disconnect
Despite being neighbors, there’s an obvious disconnect when it comes to Americans opting to vacation south rather than north.
Obviously, Mexico is renowned for its paradisal coastlines end to end.
Canada, though? Not so much.
It’s more known for its stereotypes of super-friendly people and every maple concoction under the sun.
Truth be told, Canada has numerous bucket-list worthy destinations more than worth your while.
PEI just happens to be the most unique, not only for its Mars-like beaches, but also home to the Confederation Bridge that never seems to end.
It’s the longest bridge in the world to cross icy waters (seasonally, of course) and the longest bridge in all of Canada in general.
No offense to Whistler, but the views on this 8-mile stretch are unmatched as you cross from Cape Jourimain to Borden-Carleton.
Look, we get it, comparing Mexico and Canada is apples and oranges — or, in this case, churros and maple.
But don’t sleep on Canada for your next seaside getaway. The beaches are gorgeous, and the seafood is downright sinful.
The only thing missing is endless cervezas at your beachfront all-inclusive, but a few Labatt Blues aren’t too shabby either, eh?
‘Book Now’! The Secret Is Out
Our sources claim, ‘the word is out that if you want to come here during peak season, if you want to go to one of the amazing festivals or events, book now’.
As spring weather gets warmer and warmer, more travelers are expected to pour in from all over if 2026 repeats 2025 patterns.
Here are 5 reasons why travelers are flocking from all corners of the world, including the UK, Japan, Australia, and, of course, the U.S.:
- Your dollar stretches further
- A packed event calendar with popular acts such as comedian Tom Green and surprises like Picklefest
- Travelers can’t stop raving about the island’s natural beauty
- Seafood doesn’t get much fresher — or more reasonably priced
- PEI feels authentic, laid-back, and blissfully low-key
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
