1.5hr Harbour Experience on North America’s LARGEST solar boat!

The most unusual part of this Charlottetown outing is the boat itself: the Isola Solaretto moves quietly under solar power, carrying a small group past forts, grand houses, churches, and the birthplace of Canadian Confederation. The focus is the harbour, not a walking tour of downtown.

I love the personal guiding, especially when Steve, Justyn, Stephen, or Captain Craig are on duty. I also like the enclosed cabin, large windows, and opening roof hatches, which make this a sensible choice on a cool or breezy Prince Edward Island day.

The main drawback is access. You board by a ladder, so this may not work for people with mobility problems. The ride is also deliberately slow and gentle, and the harbour views will mean more to you if you enjoy local history and boat stories.

Key points to know before boarding

• North America’s largest solar boat: The Isola Solaretto is the main attraction, with quiet, emission-free cruising.
• A water-based history tour: You see Confederation sites, Mi’kmaq history, forts, churches, and shoreline changes from the harbour.
• Small-group feel: The boat carries no more than 34 people, and every seat is near a large window.
• Good in cool weather: The enclosed cabin offers shelter, while roof hatches let you enjoy sun and open-air views.
• Strong guiding: Steve, Justyn, Stephen, and Captain Craig are known for humor, stories, trivia, and clear commentary.
• Plan for the ladder: A boarding ladder is required, and the operator may not be able to accommodate serious mobility limits.

Why this solar boat is more than a harbour cruise

At $85.61 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Charlottetown. You are paying for a 90-minute guided outing, a small boat with unusual technology, and a steady stream of local stories rather than a simple ride around the bay.

That distinction matters. If you only want a quick look at the waterfront, the price may feel high. If you enjoy hearing how a place developed, seeing historic sites from an unusual angle, and meeting guides who add plenty of humor, the cost makes better sense.

The boat, called the Isola Solaretto, carries up to 34 people. That is small enough to feel personal, while still providing room for a mix of couples, families, and solo visitors. The guides often invite questions, use trivia, and explain the boat itself, including its connection to Expo 67 in Montreal and its later restoration.

You may even get a turn at the wheel if the captain offers it. Families should ask about this possibility, since children have enjoyed taking a supervised turn piloting the boat. It is not a guaranteed part of the outing, but it adds a memorable touch when conditions allow.

Settling into the Isola Solaretto

The meeting point is the Charlottetown Cruise Ship Terminal at 1A Weymouth Street. The boat returns there after the cruise, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back across town.

Once aboard, you will find a restroom, WiFi, and several video screens. Those features may sound minor, but they help on a 90-minute trip. The restroom means you can relax without cutting the ride short, and the screens can support the guide’s commentary or provide information when you are seated away from the main speaker.

Every seat is close to a large window. That is one of the best design choices on the boat. You do not need to fight for the front rail or spend the whole trip standing to see the shore. You can watch the water, take pictures, and still follow the narration.

Roof hatches can be opened when the weather cooperates. On a sunny day, this gives you fresh air and a better angle for photographs. On cooler days, the enclosed cabin is a real advantage. One outing took place in chilly weather, and the enclosed boat kept people comfortable while an open-air boat nearby looked much less inviting.

The boat is steady, but it is not motionless. Wind can make the ride rocky, especially in colder weather or when the harbour gets choppy. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where you can see the horizon and consider taking the ride at a calmer time of day.

The opening lesson: Mi’kmaq roots and Confederation

The captain begins with a short introduction to Charlottetown Harbour and the people who shaped the area. You hear about the Mi’kmaq, who first settled the province, and about the harbour’s role in the story of Canada.

Charlottetown is often called the Cradle of Confederation because the 1864 meeting here helped set Canada on its path to becoming a country. The session is not a formal classroom lecture. Instead, the guide works the material into an easygoing talk, often mixing facts with humor and questions.

That style is one of the cruise’s strengths. Steve and Justyn, in particular, have been praised for energetic presentations, while Stephen is known for animated storytelling. Captain Craig adds his own perspective as an experienced lobster fisherman. The result feels more like a conversation than a recorded announcement.

You should not expect a full survey of Prince Edward Island. The guide has only 90 minutes and must keep the boat moving. Still, you get enough background to understand why the harbour matters before the main views arrive.

Victoria Park, cannons, and the harbour entrance

The Isola Solaretto passes Victoria Park, where you can see the cannons and armaments connected with Charlottetown’s historic defenses. From the water, the fortifications make more sense as part of the harbour’s protective system rather than as isolated objects in a city park.

This is a good moment to use the roof hatches if the day is warm and clear. The boat moves slowly, giving you time to frame photographs. You will want a camera ready, but do not spend the entire passage looking at a screen. The view is best understood as a broad scene: water in the foreground, parkland along the shore, and historic defenses marking the city’s edge.

The boat then heads toward the entrance to Charlottetown Harbour and Rocky Point. This section gives you a better sense of the harbour’s scale. From downtown, the water can seem like a pleasant foreground. From the boat, you see how the entrance connects the city to the wider coast.

At Rocky Point, you look toward Port-la-Joye, also known as Fort Amherst. The site is tied to the early colonial history of Prince Edward Island and sits across the harbour entrance. The view is mainly from the water, so this cruise does not replace a land visit for anyone wanting to walk through the fort area. It does, however, give you a useful geographic picture of the site.

The Birthplace of Canada from the water

The cruise also brings you near the place associated with the 1864 Charlottetown Conference. Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick met here to discuss the creation of Canada.

Seeing this area from the water adds a helpful sense of place. Confederation can feel like a distant political event when you encounter it only in a museum or plaque. From the harbour, you can connect the meeting to the town, the shoreline, and the water routes that made Charlottetown an important port.

The guides are especially good at turning this part into a story rather than a list of dates. You may hear extra details about the boat, local characters, or the wider Canadian story. The tone stays light, but the subject receives enough attention to give the cruise purpose.

If your main goal is detailed political history, you may want to pair this ride with a visit to Charlottetown’s indoor historic sites. The solar boat works best as a geographic introduction and a pleasant way to place the Confederation story in its setting.

Shoreline change and the $15 million lesson

One of the more surprising sections concerns coastal protection. The boat passes several expensive waterfront homes, including a reported $15 million property, while the guide explains shoreline erosion and the use of rock armoring.

Prince Edward Island is losing about one foot of shoreline each year. The tour uses one example of failed or poorly planned rock protection to show that shoreline work has a right way and a wrong way. This gives you something more useful than a parade of large houses. You begin to notice how the coast is changing and why protecting a waterfront property is not as simple as piling rocks along the edge.

The subject also connects neatly to the solar boat. The cruise is not just a sightseeing loop. It introduces an environmental issue while using a boat designed around solar power and battery technology.

You should keep expectations realistic. The tour offers an accessible explanation, not a technical coastal-engineering course. Still, this is one of the most distinctive parts of the ride because it links what you see directly to a current issue on Prince Edward Island.

Peake’s Wharf, St. Dunstan’s Basilica, and Cow’s Ice Cream

As the boat returns toward central Charlottetown, you see Peake’s Wharf and the waterfront in front of St. Dunstan’s Basilica. This is a classic photo section, with the wharf, city buildings, and church rising beyond the water.

The guide points out St. Dunstan’s Basilica as Charlottetown’s tallest structure. It is one of 27 designated basilicas in Canada and is also a National Historic Site. From the boat, you get a clear sense of how strongly the basilica shapes the city skyline.

Peake’s Wharf is also home to Cow’s Ice Cream, a Prince Edward Island favorite that has been ranked the world’s number one ice cream. Ice cream is not included in the cruise, and the boat does not provide lunch, bottled water, soda, coffee, tea, or alcoholic drinks as part of the standard fare. Bring what you need, or plan to eat before or after the outing.

Some booking choices may offer a lobster or chicken meal on board. If that appeals to you, confirm the exact option when you book. Food service on a small solar-powered vessel can be less polished than restaurant service, and the meal is not part of the basic $85.61 ticket.

Beaconsfield Historic House and the final views

The last major sight is Beaconsfield Historic House, built in 1877 for shipbuilder and merchant James Peake. The house reflects the wealth and style of Victorian Charlottetown, and it is one of the Museum and Heritage PEI sites.

From the harbour, you cannot explore the rooms or grounds. Instead, you see the house as part of the city’s waterfront story, alongside the wharf, basilica, and older neighborhoods. This is a good closing view because it brings the cruise back from wide harbour geography to the people who built Charlottetown’s commercial and civic life.

The commentary keeps the ride moving until the boat returns to the terminal. You will not be left wondering when the activity ends, since it comes back to the same place where you boarded.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would choose this cruise if you want a calm introduction to Charlottetown before exploring on foot. It is also a good fit for cruise-ship passengers with a limited window, since the ride lasts about 90 minutes and returns to the cruise terminal area.

Families should find plenty to hold their attention. The boat, solar technology, trivia, harbor views, and possible turn at the wheel give younger passengers more than a standard history talk. The enclosed seating helps if the day is cool.

Solo visitors and couples can enjoy it too, especially if they like local stories. The guides are not stiff presenters. Their humor and personal tales, including Captain Craig’s lobster-fishing background, help the boat feel friendly.

I would think twice if you want a fast-paced attraction or a full city tour. This boat does not take you through downtown streets, and one cruise passenger found that it did not provide enough of the city itself from the water. For a fuller city introduction, pair it with a walking tour or another land-based activity.

Access is the most important practical concern. Boarding requires a ladder, and someone with significant mobility trouble may not be able to take the ride. Contact Ride Solar before booking if you are unsure. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate, but the ladder remains a real limitation.

Timing, weather, and booking value

Morning, midday, and afternoon departures give you useful flexibility. The best choice depends on your schedule and tolerance for wind or sun. The operator can cancel for poor weather or if the minimum number of passengers is not met, offering another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Last-minute cancellations and changes are not accepted under the stated policy, so leave yourself some room if your Charlottetown plans depend on ship arrival or changing weather.

The cruise is often booked about 28 days ahead. That does not mean you must reserve a month in advance, but it is sensible to plan early during a busy summer or cruise-ship period. There have also been occasional booking-system problems involving unavailable departure times, so check your confirmation carefully and contact the operator if the time looks unclear.

At 4.7 out of 5, with 94 percent of customers recommending it, the cruise has a strong record. The praise centers on the guides, humor, history, comfort, and the unusual solar boat. The weaker points are just as useful: the ladder, occasional choppy water, limited city views, and possible confusion around optional meals or booking times.

Should you book the Charlottetown solar boat?

Book it if you want a quiet, personal harbour tour with strong storytelling and a boat that is genuinely part of the attraction. It is especially worthwhile for first-time visitors, families, cruise passengers, and anyone curious about Charlottetown’s Confederation story, coastal change, and waterfront buildings.

Skip it if you need step-free boarding, want a detailed tour of downtown streets, or prefer a faster and more active outing. For most others, the combination of solar technology, clear harbour views, and engaging guides makes this a distinctive use of 90 minutes in Charlottetown.

FAQ

How long is the solar boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins at the Charlottetown Cruise Ship Terminal at 1A Weymouth Street and ends back at the same meeting point.

What can I see from the boat?

You can see Victoria Park and its cannons, the entrance to Charlottetown Harbour, Port-la-Joye and Fort Amherst at Rocky Point, the area connected with the 1864 Confederation meeting, waterfront homes, Peake’s Wharf, St. Dunstan’s Basilica, and Beaconsfield Historic House.

Is food included?

Food is not included in the standard ticket. Coffee, tea, alcoholic drinks, lunch, dinner, soda, and bottled water are listed as extra. Some booking options may allow you to add a lobster or chicken meal, so check the options when reserving.

Is the boat suitable for someone with mobility issues?

Boarding requires going down a ladder. Because of this, the experience may not suit people with significant mobility problems. Contact Ride Solar before booking if you need access information for your situation.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. A different date, experience, or full refund may also be offered if the minimum number of participants is not reached.