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

The most unusual thing about this Charlottetown outing is the boat itself. The Isola Solaretto is billed as North America’s largest solar boat, and it moves quietly around the harbour with a small group of no more than 34 people. Guides such as Steve, Stephen, or Justyn bring the trip to life, while captains including Craig and Alan add local stories from the water.

I like the comfortable enclosed cabin, especially on a cool or windy day, and I like the mix of history and shoreline views. Large windows put every seat close to the scenery, while roof hatches let you step up your photography when the sun cooperates. The main consideration is mobility: boarding involves a ladder, and the boat is a water tour, not a complete walking tour of Charlottetown.

Key points to know before booking

• North America’s largest solar boat: The Isola Solaretto makes the ride as interesting as the sights.
• A small 34-passenger group: You get a quieter setting than a large sightseeing vessel.
• History from Mi’kmaq settlement to Confederation: The commentary connects Charlottetown to the founding of Canada.
• Enclosed comfort with open-air options: Windows, roof hatches, WiFi, video screens, and a restroom are all onboard.
• Several departure times: Morning, midday, and afternoon departures make it easier to fit the cruise into a Charlottetown visit.
• A 90-minute harbour focus: You see waterfront landmarks and shoreline views, but not the city’s inland streets.

Why this solar boat is the real attraction

Many harbour cruises use the boat as a simple platform for sightseeing. Here, the vessel is part of the story. The Isola Solaretto is solar-powered, and its quiet operation gives the outing a different feel from a conventional motorboat trip.

That does not mean you should expect a high-speed adventure. This is a slow, steady cruise designed for looking, listening, and taking pictures. On a choppy day, the ride can still feel rocky, but the small enclosed boat has been comfortable for people who found open-air boats too cold.

I also like the limited capacity. With a maximum of 34 passengers, the experience feels more personal than a packed harbour vessel. The crew can speak to the group directly, answer questions, and keep the running commentary lively.

The exact guide depends on the departure. Steve and Stephen have been praised for energetic storytelling, while Justyn has handled the narration with humor and plenty of local facts. Captain Craig and Captain Alan have also been part of the crew. Do not book expecting one guaranteed personality, but you can expect the boat team to be central to the experience.

Starting at the Charlottetown Cruise Ship Terminal

The meeting point is the Charlottetown Cruise Ship Terminal at 1a Weymouth Street. That location is useful if you are arriving by cruise ship, and it is near public transportation for visitors staying elsewhere in the city.

The tour returns to the same place after about 90 minutes. That makes it simple to pair with an afternoon in Charlottetown, a cruise-ship schedule, or another nearby activity. Morning, noon, and afternoon departures are available, so you have some room to work around meals and other plans.

Allow a little extra time to find the boarding point and prepare for the ladder down to the boat. This is the most important practical warning in the whole experience. If you have mobility issues, contact the operator before booking and ask specifically about boarding. A service animal is allowed, and most people can participate, but the ladder may be difficult or impossible for some passengers.

Charlottetown Harbour and the Cradle of Confederation

Once aboard, the captain introduces the harbour and gives you the basic story of Charlottetown. The talk reaches back to the Mi’kmaq, who first settled the province, and then moves toward the political meeting that made the city famous.

Charlottetown is known as the Cradle of Confederation because representatives from Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick met here in 1864 to discuss the idea of Canada. Seeing the city from the water gives that story a useful setting. You are not just hearing about an old meeting in a room. You are looking at the harbour that brought people, ships, trade, and political ambitions together.

The history is delivered as live commentary rather than as a formal lecture. That matters. Steve and Justyn, in particular, have been praised for mixing facts with humor, trivia, and questions. You can expect the tone to be friendly and entertaining, not stiff or academic.

If you want a detailed walking tour of old Charlottetown streets, this is not it. The boat concentrates on what can be seen from the harbour. That focus is a strength if you want a relaxing introduction to the waterfront, but a limitation if your main goal is the city’s architecture and inland landmarks.

Victoria Park and its old guns

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

This is a good example of what the cruise does best. The view is brief, but the guide adds context that helps you notice what you might otherwise pass without a thought. Keep your camera ready as the boat approaches, and use the large windows if the weather is cool.

The roof hatches are especially useful here. You can let in sunlight, get a clearer angle, and avoid shooting through glass. On a warm, calm day, the open hatches also make the boat feel more connected to the harbour. On a chilly or windy day, leave them closed and enjoy the protection of the cabin.

Rocky Point and Port-la-Joye

The cruise continues toward the entrance to Charlottetown Harbour and Rocky Point, where you can see Port-la-Joye, also called Fort Amherst. This setting adds another layer to the harbour story.

The appeal here is not a long stop on land. You remain aboard and take in the site from the water while the captain explains its place in the area’s past. The changing view also gives the 90-minute trip some shape. You begin close to Charlottetown, move toward the harbour entrance, and then return through a series of different waterfront perspectives.

Because this is a boat tour, visibility depends on your seat, the weather, and the position of the vessel. Luckily, every seat is near a large window. You will not need to fight for one special front-row location to see something.

The Birthplace of Canada from offshore

One of the central sights is the place associated with the 1864 meeting that led toward Canadian Confederation. The tour presents this as the Birthplace of Canada, linking the shoreline to the decisions that brought the colonies together.

I find this part most useful for first-time visitors. Charlottetown’s Confederation story can feel abstract when reduced to dates and names. From the harbour, the setting becomes easier to picture. You get a sense of the waterways and coastal routes that shaped the region, while the guide explains why this particular city became part of Canada’s founding story.

The commentary also includes the Mi’kmaq presence in the province. That broader framing is important. Charlottetown’s story did not begin in 1864, and the tour gives you at least a brief introduction to the people who were here long before the Confederation meetings.

Shoreline erosion and a $15 million house

The cruise takes an unexpected turn from national history to modern environmental concerns. The captain points out several expensive waterfront homes, including a reported $15 million property, and explains shoreline protection called rock armouring.

The lesson is practical: protecting a property from erosion can be done properly or poorly. Prince Edward Island is losing about one foot of shoreline each year, and the wrong type of rock barrier can create problems instead of solving them.

This is one of the more memorable parts of the trip because it moves beyond postcard scenery. You see attractive waterfront homes, then hear about the forces affecting the land beneath them. It is a reminder that a harbour is not a fixed picture. Wind, waves, and changing shorelines shape the place every day.

The subject may appeal especially to you if you enjoy local issues and environmental details. If you want nonstop landmark views, this section may feel less scenic, but it gives the tour more substance than a simple ride past waterfront houses.

Peake’s Wharf and St. Dunstan’s Basilica

Back near the city, the boat passes Peake’s Wharf in front of St. Dunstan’s Basilica. This is a good spot for photographs because the waterfront, church, and downtown setting come together in one view.

The basilica is the tallest structure in Charlottetown. It is one of 27 designated basilicas in Canada and a National Historic Site. From the harbour, you get a clear sense of its height and position in the city.

The guide also points out the connection with Cows Ice Cream, which is based at Peake’s Wharf and is described as the world’s number one ice cream. Food fans should note that ice cream is not included in the $85.61 ticket, so plan to visit the wharf separately if you want to try it.

This is another place where the cruise should be treated as an introduction rather than a full visit. You see the basilica from the water, but you do not go inside. If the church is high on your list, save time before or after the cruise for a closer look.

Beaconsfield Historic House and Victorian Charlottetown

The final major landmark is Beaconsfield Historic House, built in 1877 for shipbuilder and merchant James Peake. The house reflects the Victorian wealth tied to shipping and trade in Prince Edward Island.

From the boat, you see the exterior and hear how the building fits into the island’s past. It is one of seven Museum and Heritage PEI sites, making it a useful clue for planning more sightseeing on land.

Again, do not expect admission or a walking visit as part of the harbour outing. The value is in getting oriented. After the cruise, you will know which waterfront and historic sites deserve more of your time.

What comfort is like onboard

The Isola Solaretto is built for viewing and conversation rather than luxury. Large windows place you close to the scenery, and the open roof hatches give you an easy way to take photos without glare.

A restroom is available onboard, which is a useful detail during a 90-minute outing. WiFi and several video screens are also provided. These may matter most if you are traveling with family members who appreciate a break from looking out the windows, though the live narration is the main reason to pay attention.

The enclosed cabin is a real advantage in unsettled weather. One chilly-day account described the boat as comfortable while passengers on an open-air vessel nearby appeared cold. Still, bring layers. The tour requires good weather, but a cool wind on the harbour can make the open hatches less inviting.

The ride is usually relaxed, but do not mistake solar power for complete smoothness. Wind and colder weather can make the water rougher. If you are sensitive to motion, choose a calm-weather departure when possible and keep your expectations centered on a gentle harbour cruise, not a perfectly still ride.

Food, drinks, and the price

The standard price is $85.61 per person. That is not bargain pricing for a 90-minute boat ride, so the value depends on what you want from it.

You are paying for a small solar-powered vessel, live interpretation, a quiet harbour route, and a more personal setting than a large sightseeing boat. If the boat technology and Charlottetown’s founding story interest you, the price is easier to justify. If you only want a quick view of the waterfront, a lower-cost activity may suit you better.

Coffee, tea, alcohol, lunch, soft drinks, bottled water, and dinner are not included in the standard experience. A lobster or chicken dinner can be added through some booking options, but you should select that option when making the reservation rather than assume food comes with the basic ticket.

Food service on a small solar-powered vessel can be complicated. The boat does not have the refrigeration capacity of a larger restaurant vessel, so I would treat an added meal as a separate choice, not the main reason to book. Several people found the food appealing, including the chicken, Caesar salad, and homemade rolls, while one account described meal service as disjointed. The safest approach is to confirm exactly what meal option you are buying and when it will be served.

Who should book this harbour outing?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy local stories, smaller groups, unusual boats, and a slow pace. It suits couples, families, solo visitors, and cruise passengers who want a comfortable way to see the harbour without committing a whole day.

Families have an extra reason to consider it. The boat’s small scale and friendly crew can make the trip feel interactive, and children have sometimes been allowed to take a turn at the wheel under the captain’s supervision. That opportunity is not guaranteed, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than a promised feature.

The cruise also works well as a final activity in Charlottetown. Ninety minutes is long enough to feel substantial, but short enough to leave time for an afternoon meal or walk.

I would hesitate if you have serious mobility limits and cannot manage a boarding ladder. I would also choose another activity if you want a detailed city tour, museum admissions, or a fast-moving excursion. This tour is specifically about the harbour and the sights visible from the water.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the experience is offered in English. It is typically reserved about 28 days ahead, so I would book early if your schedule is tied to a cruise-ship visit or a particular departure time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded. The operator can cancel for poor weather or if the minimum number of passengers is not reached, in which case you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Because booking-system errors have occurred in the past, check your confirmation carefully, especially if your date or time is important. If anything looks wrong, contact the operator before heading to the dock.

Should you book the Isola Solaretto?

Book it if you want Charlottetown’s history explained while you look at the harbour, and if a quiet solar boat sounds more appealing than a standard motorized cruise. The strongest reasons are the engaging crew, the 34-passenger size, the sheltered cabin, and the unusual mix of Confederation history, Mi’kmaq context, forts, churches, waterfront homes, and shoreline erosion.

Skip it if you want to explore the city on foot, tour the inside of historic buildings, or avoid ladder boarding. At $85.61, the trip earns its value through the boat and the commentary, not through a long list of included meals or admissions.

For the right visitor, this is a memorable 90-minute introduction to Charlottetown from the water. Plan for layers, confirm your boarding details, and choose a departure that leaves room for a walk through the city afterward.

FAQ

How long is the solar boat tour?

The harbour experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour 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 during the cruise?

You can see Victoria Park’s cannons and fortifications, Rocky Point and Port-la-Joye, the area associated with the 1864 Confederation meeting, Peake’s Wharf, St. Dunstan’s Basilica, and Beaconsfield Historic House.

Is the boat enclosed?

The boat has large windows and an enclosed cabin, with roof hatches that can be opened for fresh air and photographs.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, lunch, soda, bottled water, and dinner are not included in the standard price. Lobster and chicken dinner options may be available as additions when booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If the operator cancels because of weather or insufficient numbers, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.