On the sand
Why the beach sings
At Basin Head, the silica sand grains are so uniform they squeak when scuffed underfoot. Walk barefoot on a dry day and the whole beach hums beneath you — an oddly delightful natural party trick.
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Eastern PEI · Prince Edward Island · City Pillar
Souris
Fishing harbour with Magdalen Islands ferries and Singing Sands beach.
- Best time
- Mid-June – mid-September.
- Getting there
- 75 min east of Charlottetown via Highway 2.
- Suggested stay
- 1 – 2 nights
- Known for
- Singing Sands · Magdalen Islands ferry · East Point Lighthouse
Prince Edward Island
Province
Eastern PEI
Region
1 – 2 nights
Suggested stay
Mid-June – mid-September
Peak season
A portrait of Souris
An essential stop.
On PEI's eastern shore, Souris is a working fishing harbour, the ferry port for Québec's Îles de la Madeleine, and the doorway to some of the island's loveliest beaches — including the famous Basin Head Singing Sands.
Field notes
Three ways to feel the place.
On the map
The six places
to anchor your trip.
A tour through the icons and the under-the-radar corners — laid out the way a local would walk you through.
- 1
Basin Head Singing Sands
Beach whose silica-rich sand squeaks musically underfoot.
- 2
East Point Lighthouse
Where the Gulf of St. Lawrence meets the Northumberland Strait.
- 3
Magdalen Islands Ferry
Daily 5-hr crossings to Québec's wind-swept Madeleines.
- 4
Greenwich Dunes
PEI National Park's eastern section — floating boardwalk over a freshwater pond to dune system.
Basin Head Singing Sands
East Point Lighthouse
Magdalen Islands Ferry
Greenwich Dunes
N
3-day itinerary
A first-timer's Souris.
Three carefully sequenced days. Add or subtract — but start here.
Day 1
Morning
Orientation walk around Souris centre
Afternoon
Visit Basin Head Singing Sands — Beach whose silica-rich sand squeaks musically underfoot.
Evening
Dinner downtown; sunset stroll along Souris's waterfront or main street.
Day 2
Morning
East Point Lighthouse — Where the Gulf of St.
Afternoon
Magdalen Islands Ferry — Daily 5-hr crossings to Québec's wind-swept Madeleines.
Evening
Eat at the Bluefin Restaurant for haddock and chips with a harbour view.
Day 3
Morning
Greenwich Dunes — PEI National Park's eastern section — floating boardwalk over a freshwater pond to dune system.
Afternoon
Continue exploring or shop local makers.
Evening
Slower last night — return to a favourite spot or try something new.
Neighbourhoods
Where to base, where to wander.
Downtown / Centre
Main commercial core, hotels, restaurants
Best for · First-time visitors
Heritage / Old Town
Anchored around Singing Sands
Best for · Day wandering
Waterfront / Outdoor area
Fishing harbour with Magdalen Islands ferries and Singing Sands beach.
Best for · Sunset walks
When to go
Souris through the year.
Jan
Cold and quiet; book ahead for any winter activity.
Feb
Deep winter; ski + festivals.
Mar
Last winter month or first signs of spring.
Apr
Shoulder; weather flips quickly.
May
Spring proper; everything begins to reopen.
Jun
Long days, festivals, full season.
Jul
Peak summer — book everything ahead.
Aug
Warm, popular, busy.
Sep
Sweet shoulder with fall colour beginning.
Oct
Quiet, often the best month for weather + value.
Nov
Cold returns; some places close.
Dec
Holiday markets; cold returns properly.
PeakGoodShoulderOff / closed
Budget
What it costs.
Smart
$170–270 / day pp
Budget hotel or hostel, public transit or self-drive, casual local restaurants.
- Budget lodging
- Transit / self-cater
- Free walking tour
- Picnic lunches
Most popular
Mid
$300–550 / day pp
Boutique 3★ hotel, rental car, signature experience (Basin Head Singing Sands), good restaurants.
- 3★ boutique hotel
- Rental car
- Basin Head Singing Sands day
- Mid-range dining
Premium
$600+ / day pp
Top hotel, private guide for Basin Head Singing Sands, tasting-menu dinners.
- Top hotel in city
- Private guide
- Tasting menus
- Premium experiences
Eat
Where to eat in Souris.
Market
Souris Farmers Market
Local makers, baked goods, and eastern pei produce.
Bistros
Downtown bistro circuit
Walk the main street for Souris's mid-range bistros.
Cultural
Indigenous-led tables
Look for Indigenous chefs and cafés telling Eastern PEI food stories.
Sleep
Where to stay.
Hotel
Downtown anchor hotel
Souris's main 3–4★ downtown hotel — best location, walking access.
Inn
Heritage inn or B&B
Smaller-scale heritage stays often run by long-time locals.
Rental
Vacation rental / apartment
Best for stays of 3+ nights, especially for families.
Getting around
How to move through Souris.
Public transit
Souris's transit system serves the urban core.
Walking
Most of downtown is walkable end-to-end.
Rental car
Useful for day trips outside the city.
Ride share
Uber and Lyft operate.
Prep & tips
Before you go.
What to pack
- Layers for changing weather
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Rain shell year-round
- Sun protection in summer
Permits & passes
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass if visiting national parks
- Check provincial park day-use rules
Insider tips from people who live there
- 01Eat at the Bluefin Restaurant for haddock and chips with a harbour view.
- 02Walk the Greenwich dunes boardwalk at low light — one of PEI's finest landscapes.
- 03Book the Madelines ferry months ahead for July and August.
Frequently asked
Planning Souris.
When is the best time to visit Souris?
Mid-June – mid-September.
How many days should I spend in Souris?
1 – 2 nights
How do I get to Souris?
75 min east of Charlottetown via Highway 2.
What is Souris known for?
Singing Sands, Magdalen Islands ferry, East Point Lighthouse, Greenwich dunes.
How many days should I spend in Souris?
1 – 2 nights
Is Souris expensive?
Costs vary — see the budget section above for Smart / Mid / Premium tiers.
Best time to visit Souris?
Mid-June – mid-September.
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Time it right
Nearby events & festivals
Festivals and cultural events happening in and around Souris.
