Blooming Point Beach

Please note, Blooming Point is NOT in New Brunswick; it is in our neighbour, Prince Edward Island.  Also note that this beach is not an official nudist beach but has been used as such for so long that it may as well be.

First, Blooming Point has a really great beach, unspoiled by development of any kind.  It is a red sand beach backed by dunes of moderate height and a large marsh which keeps development at bay.  It is fronted by the relatively warmer waters of the Gulf of St Lawrence.

Satellite photo adapted from Google Earth -- the vignette shows the gap in the dunes at the end of the road

Second, it is really easy to find and to get there.  The down side is that there are no facilities on the beach, so do the necessary before you get there and take whatever you need for a day at the beach.   Note: In 2014 there were some porta-potties at the parking area.  In 2015 they were not provided.  The situation for 2016 and beyond is a crap shoot, pun intended.

How to get there . . .

If you are travelling from Charlottetown you should be on PEI Hwy #2 EAST.  Watch for Hwy #6 on the left and ignore it.  Now watch for Hwy 218/219 on the left.  A short distance in advance of that necessary turn the PEI highways folks have thoughtfully erected a sign indicating Hwy 218 to the right – don’t go there.  As for Hwy 218 to the LEFT they have cleverly indicated it (as of July 2105) with a sign half hidden in the bushes saying “Blooming Point Road” –  turn LEFT there.  Within 1.5 kms you come to a Y-junction of Hwys 218 & 219 – take the right-hand fork onto Hwy 218.  Hold on a minute . . . 

For those of you who are coming from Cavendish or anywhere else on PEI’s north-east coast you’ll likely be on Hwy # 6 or some other name/number for it.  Head for Tracadie and when you get there watch for the junction with Hwy 219 on your LEFT, then follow Hwy 219 to its junction with Hwy 218.

Okay, now that we are all in the same place, follow Hwy 218 ( Blooming Point Road ) for about 7.4 kms to MacDonald Road on the LEFT.  If the pavement of Hwy 218 ends beneath your tires you have just missed your turn – go back.  Follow MacDonald Road 1.25 kms to the ample dirt  parking lot on the right, and a further 0.45 kms to the drop-off area.  DO NOT park at the drop-off area – cars have been towed for that, so don’t do it.  Some of the locals park there but for a 450 metre walk do you want to take the chance?

Are we there yet?

Almost.  The path from the drop-off area to the beach is a short, wide, well-trodden and rising gap through the soft sand of the dunes.  When you get to the beach turn LEFT (textiles turn right) and walk at least five hundred metres before you set up your beach camp.  Usually there will be someone already camped at or near the limit of tolerance so that will be a good marker.  Within the “N Zone” you can usually walk for four kms (one way) to the end of the point.  It used to be a 6.5 km walk but Blooming Point got bobbed in the winter of 2010 when a storm tide cut the end off it.  Early in the season be aware that park officials might close part of the beach during the breeding season for the endangered piping plover.  Please respect the signs indicated the closed area. 

Blooming Point Beach is often quite windy so some sort of windbreak / shelter will make your visit there much more pleasant.  I recommend the SportBrella, a bargain at about 70 $Cdn from most vendors.