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

The unusual star here is the Isola Solaretto, North America’s largest solar boat. It moves quietly around Charlottetown Harbour, giving you a close look at the city, shoreline, and Confederation landmarks without the growl of a standard sightseeing vessel. I like the enclosed cabin, where every seat is near a large window, and the roof hatches that let in sun and fresh air when the weather cooperates.

I also like the human touch. Guides such as Steve, Justyn, Stephen, and captain Craig bring humor, local stories, and practical knowledge to the ride. The main drawback is that this is a harbour tour, not a city tour, so you see Charlottetown from the water rather than visiting its streets and buildings. If you have mobility issues, ask about the boarding ladder before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• The Isola Solaretto is the attraction: The solar-powered boat itself is a major part of the experience, including its quiet operation and story dating back to Expo 67.
• You get 90 minutes on the water: Morning, midday, and afternoon departures make it easy to fit into a Charlottetown visit.
• The ride focuses on views and storytelling: You pass Victoria Park, Rocky Point, Port-la-Joye, Peake’s Wharf, St. Dunstan’s Basilica, and Beaconsfield Historic House.
• The cabin helps with changeable weather: Large windows, an enclosed interior, opening roof hatches, and a restroom make this more comfortable than an open boat on a chilly day.
• The group is limited to 34 people: That keeps the setting more personal than a large harbour cruise.
• Food is not part of the standard fare: The $85.61 price covers the harbour experience, GST, WiFi, and restroom access. Check the booking choices if you want an optional lobster or chicken meal.

A quiet ride on Charlottetown Harbour

The experience begins at the Charlottetown Cruise Ship Terminal on Weymouth Street. Once aboard, you settle into a compact vessel designed for sightseeing rather than speed. The pace is gentle, which suits the purpose: you have time to look, take pictures, and listen.

The boat’s solar power is not just a marketing detail. It changes the feel of the outing. The Isola Solaretto passes through the harbour with very little engine noise, so the guide’s narration and the water around you remain part of the experience. You are not racing from point to point. This is a slow look at Charlottetown from a different angle.

The boat traces its story back to Expo 67 in Montreal, and that unusual past becomes part of the tour. The guide explains how the vessel was introduced and refurbished, adding a mechanical and environmental angle to the usual harbour commentary. You learn about the boat as you use it.

The group limit of 34 people is useful. You are not packed into a large sightseeing ship, and the guide can keep the talk lively and respond to questions. A trivia game may also be part of the entertainment, and some younger passengers have been invited to take a turn at the wheel under the captain’s direction. That is a nice touch for families, though it is best understood as an occasional interactive moment rather than the main purpose of the cruise.

What the guides add to the experience

The quality of the narration matters on a harbour tour, and this one puts a lot of weight on the people onboard. Steve is an animated presenter, while Justyn has been praised for mixing facts about Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and the solar boat with humor. Stephen also leads tours, and captain Craig contributes stories from his experience as a lobster fisherman.

You can expect a mix of formal history and local color. The opening talk covers the Mi’kmaq people who first settled the province, the harbour itself, and Charlottetown’s role in the creation of Canada. The guides also bring in lighter material, including trivia about pie and the surrounding area.

This is a good fit if you enjoy learning while you look. You will not receive a dry list of dates. The presentation includes jokes, questions, stories about the boat, and explanations of what you are seeing from the deck. The guides encourage questions, which helps the tour feel less scripted.

The quality can vary slightly depending on who leads your departure. Names associated with the experience include Steve, Justyn, Stephen, Craig, and Alan. All have been described as friendly and entertaining, but the exact combination of captain and guide may change.

Victoria Park and the harbour entrance

One of the first important sights is Victoria Park. From the water, you can see the cannons and armaments connected with the historic fortifications. This view gives you a quick reminder that Charlottetown Harbour was not only a working port and a scenic setting. It also had a defensive role.

The boat then heads toward the entrance to the harbour and Rocky Point. Here you see Port-la-Joye, also called Fort Amherst. The site connects the harbour to the early European settlement period and to the wider story of Prince Edward Island.

The value of these views is partly visual and partly geographical. From land, it can be hard to understand how the harbour opens toward the surrounding water. From the boat, you get a clearer sense of the entrance, the shoreline, and the places that helped shape the area’s history.

Do not expect to step ashore at these locations. They are viewed from the boat, and the guide explains their importance as you pass. If you want to explore Fort Amherst on foot, you will need a separate visit.

The Birthplace of Canada from the water

The most important historical stop is the area associated with the 1864 Charlottetown Conference. Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick met here for the first time to discuss the creation of Canada. That is why Charlottetown is known as the Cradle of Confederation and why this part of the harbour is often called the Birthplace of Canada.

Seeing the setting from the water gives you a useful sense of place. The founding story is not presented only as something that happened inside a meeting room. It is tied to the harbour, the arrival of delegates, and the city’s position on the water.

This part of the tour will mean most to you if you have already seen some of Charlottetown’s Confederation sites on land. The boat adds a new angle rather than replacing a walking visit. If you are short on time, though, the harbour cruise gives you a solid introduction without requiring a separate block of time for several indoor attractions.

The narration also connects local history to Canada’s larger story. That broader context is one of the strongest reasons to choose this boat trip instead of treating it as a simple scenic ride.

Shoreline protection and the changing coast

The tour turns from national history to a more current local issue: shoreline erosion. Prince Edward Island is losing about one foot of shoreline each year, and the captain points out examples of rock armouring used to protect private property.

You pass several expensive homes, including one valued at about $15 million, and see an example of shoreline protection that did not work as intended. The guide explains that there is a right way and a wrong way to armor a coast. This makes the subject concrete. You are not just hearing a general warning about erosion. You are looking at a real property and a real attempt to manage the water’s force.

This is one of the more distinctive parts of the trip because it moves beyond postcard scenery. You learn how natural change affects property owners, the coast, and decisions about development. It also gives the ride a practical environmental theme that fits the solar boat.

The shoreline section depends on what can be seen from the water on the day of your trip. It is best treated as a live explanation of the coast rather than a fixed exhibit with guaranteed close-up views.

Peake’s Wharf and St. Dunstan’s Basilica

As the Isola Solaretto moves back toward the city, you view Peake’s Wharf and the waterfront in front of St. Dunstan’s Basilica. Peake’s Wharf is associated with shops, food, and Charlottetown’s waterfront activity. It is also home to Cow’s Ice Cream, which has been ranked as the number one ice cream in the world.

The boat does not include ice cream, lunch, or drinks in the standard price, so plan to visit Cow’s separately if you want to try it. Seeing the wharf from the harbour can help you decide where to walk after the cruise.

St. Dunstan’s Basilica is the tallest structure in Charlottetown and one of 27 designated basilicas in Canada. It is also a National Historic Site. From the water, the building provides a strong reference point as the boat returns toward the city.

The view is better for orientation and photography than for a detailed architectural visit. You see the basilica in relation to Peake’s Wharf and the harbour, while a visit on foot gives you a closer look at the building itself.

Beaconsfield Historic House and Victorian Charlottetown

The final highlighted sight is Beaconsfield Historic House. Built in 1877 for shipbuilder and merchant James Peake, it reflects the wealth and style of Victorian Charlottetown.

From the boat, you see the house as part of the city’s waterfront setting. The guide explains its connection to Prince Edward Island’s shipbuilding and commercial past. It is one of seven Museum and Heritage PEI sites, so you can add an indoor visit later if you want more detail.

This is a good example of how the cruise works best as a first look. You collect landmarks and stories, then decide which places deserve more time on land. The ride gives you a map in your head, especially if Charlottetown is new to you.

It also helps you notice that the city’s story is not limited to Confederation. Maritime trade, wealthy merchants, shipbuilding, military history, Mi’kmaq settlement, and coastal change all appear during the 90 minutes.

Comfort, weather, and what to bring

The enclosed cabin is an important practical advantage. Several departures have taken place on chilly days, and the people inside the solar boat remained more comfortable than those on open-air boats nearby. Large windows keep the views available without forcing you to sit in the wind.

Opening roof hatches let you feel the sun and improve photographs when the weather is pleasant. You can adjust your experience somewhat, but the weather still matters. Wind can make the water choppy, and the ride may feel rocky when conditions change. One passenger with motion sensitivity found the boat comfortable even on choppy harbour water, but another noted that colder, windier weather made the ride rougher.

I would bring a light jacket even on a mild day. You may want the hatches open for photographs, then prefer the enclosed cabin once the wind picks up. The boat has a restroom, WiFi, and several video screens, which are useful conveniences during a 90-minute trip.

Food and drink are not included. Coffee, tea, alcohol, lunch, soda, bottled water, and dinner are listed separately from the standard experience. Optional lobster or chicken meal choices may appear during booking, but check the exact option you select. A meal is not automatically part of the $85.61 harbour ticket.

Is $85.61 good value?

At $85.61 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend 90 minutes in Charlottetown. The value depends on what you want from the outing.

You are paying for a small-group boat ride, a solar-powered vessel with an unusual past, live interpretation, harbour views, and access to a comfortable enclosed cabin. GST, WiFi, and a restroom are included. The boat’s design and the guide’s presentation make this more than a basic ferry ride.

I think the price works best for you if you care about local history, coastal issues, or unusual transportation. The guide’s stories are a central part of the experience, so this is not ideal if you only want silent sightseeing or a fast circuit of the harbour.

The price also makes more sense if you use the ride to plan the rest of your day. You can identify Peake’s Wharf, St. Dunstan’s Basilica, Beaconsfield Historic House, and other areas you may want to visit on foot. For a first visit to Charlottetown, that orientation has real value.

If you want a city walking tour, this is the wrong purchase. The boat operator has another solar-powered city experience using a 14-passenger pedal bus with electric motors. That is the better choice for streets and central landmarks. The harbour trip stays on the water.

Who will enjoy this solar boat ride?

I would recommend it to families, couples, solo visitors, and cruise passengers who want an easy introduction to Charlottetown. The small group, steady pace, restroom, and enclosed cabin make it less demanding than a long outdoor excursion.

Families may especially enjoy the trivia and the chance for children to take a supervised turn at the wheel when offered. The history is presented with enough humor to keep the ride from feeling like a lecture.

It also suits you if you are sensitive to cold or do not want to commit to an open boat. The cabin provides shelter, though wind and choppy water can still affect the ride.

I would think twice if you have serious mobility limitations. Boarding requires using a ladder, and a person with mobility issues was unable to board. Contact the operator before paying if you are unsure you can manage the entrance.

The experience is also weather-dependent. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Timing and booking advice

Morning, noon, and afternoon departures give you useful flexibility. A morning ride can help you plan the rest of your day, while an afternoon departure works well after exploring Charlottetown on foot. The boat returns to the cruise terminal, so you finish where you began.

The experience is often booked about 28 days ahead. That does not guarantee every departure will sell out, but it is a reason to reserve early during busy cruise-ship periods. Check your confirmation carefully, especially the date and departure time. There have been reservation-system problems that caused bookings at times when no tour was available.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation is sent at booking. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted unless the operator cancels for weather or insufficient numbers.

Should you book the Isola Solaretto?

Book it if you want a relaxed harbour ride with strong storytelling, a genuinely unusual solar boat, and a look at Charlottetown’s major waterfront landmarks. The best parts are the guides, the Confederation setting, the coastal erosion discussion, and the chance to see the city from a quiet enclosed vessel.

Skip it if your main goal is a detailed city tour, a meal included in the fare, or an activity with easy step-free boarding. For everyone else, the 90-minute format is well judged. It gives you history, scenery, and a bit of maritime character without taking over your day.

FAQ

How long is the Charlottetown solar boat experience?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and returns to the Charlottetown Cruise Ship Terminal.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Charlottetown Cruise Ship Terminal, 1a Weymouth Street, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

What is included in the $85.61 price?

The standard experience includes the harbour cruise, GST, WiFi onboard, and restroom access. Food, coffee, tea, soft drinks, bottled water, alcohol, lunch, and dinner are not included.

Is the boat covered?

Yes. The vessel has an enclosed cabin with large windows. It also has opening roof hatches, allowing you to enjoy the sun and take photographs when conditions are suitable.

Can I take the tour if I have mobility issues?

Boarding requires using a ladder, so the experience may not suit people who cannot manage that type of access. Contact Ride Solar before booking if you are unsure.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If Ride Solar cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.