Lighthouse field note
Point Prim Lighthouse
Built in 1845, Point Prim is PEI's oldest lighthouse and one of just two round brick lighthouses in Canada — its brick shell is now hidden under wooden shingles, though the original masonry is visible from inside.
- Coastal region
- Central Coastal Drive, Hillsborough Bay
- Visitor access
- Exterior and grounds open seasonally; interior tower climbs vary by year
- Route role
- Central anchor near Charlottetown
Lighthouse significance
PEI's oldest light, and one of only two round brick towers in Canada
Point Prim's brick construction is unusual for a Canadian lighthouse — most towers of its era were built in wood. Wooden shingles were later added over the exterior brickwork to protect it from weather, but visitors touring the interior can still see the original 1845 brick from inside the tower.
Shore context
The Strait side of the island
Point Prim sits on a low point jutting into Hillsborough Bay rather than an open ocean cliff, giving it calmer, more sheltered water than PEI's north-shore lights — a good stop for visitors who want lighthouse history without a long cliffside walk.
Route pairing
Pair it with Charlottetown
Point Prim is a short drive from Charlottetown, PEI's capital, making it an easy half-day stop combined with the city's waterfront or a Hillsborough Bay seafood meal.
