Is Thunder Cove Beach in PEI Worth Visiting Now That the Teacup Rock is Gone?
Thunder Cove Beach in PEI
Thunder Cove Beach in PEI may be a little out of the way to find, but it is definitely worth a visit.
And while the main attraction was once the Teacup Rock, many people now wonder if the beach is still worth visiting.
The answer is YES! From the gorgeous red sand beach to the wind-worn sandstone rock formations, Thunder Cove beach is one of those hidden gems on Prince Edward Island that you need to add to your bucket list.
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Located on the northern coast of PEI close to Malpeque Bay, Thunder Cove Beach was once home to the Teacup Rock.
Unfortunately, P.E.I.’s iconic Teacup Rock was washed away by post-tropical storm Fiona on September 24th, 2022. As one of the Island’s most photographed rock formations, it will be sadly missed.
That said, you will also find plenty of other rock formations, little caves, and dunes to explore at Thunder Cove Beach.
As suggested by many of the locals, we were told that Thunder Cove Beach is a great place for photography and to get that perfect Instagrammable photo. They were right!
Where is Thunder Cove Beach Located?
Thunder Cove beach is located about an hour northwest of Charlottetown, or 30 minutes from either Cavendish or Summerside, on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is one of the nicest beaches in PEI, although definitely off the beaten path.
Directions to Thunder Cove Beach
Thunder Cove is 67 km from Charlottetown. You would need to take the PE-2W towards Kensington.
Once you arrive in Kensington, take PE-20 towards Darnley. You will then need to take a left onto Lower Darnley Rd and then a right onto Thunder Cove Rd.
Address: Thunder Cove Beach, Kensington, PEI, C0B 1M0
And just a heads up, you will not find any signs that will help direct you to Thunder Cove Beach. But if you follow your GPS, you will not have any issues.
Where to Park at Thunder Cove Beach
Once you arrive at Thunder Cove Beach, you will then be faced with the challenge of finding a place to park. There is not a designated lot for the beach, so you will need to park roadside.
If it is a busy day, you will notice the long line of cars parked on either side of Thunder Cove Road. Just be cognizant of the No Parking signs in some areas.
The roadway is wide enough to allow for vehicles to be parked on both sides, but this is a residential area. Please be respectful of people’s properties and be aware of the No Trespassing signs.
Getting Down to Thunder Cove Beach Shores
Once you are safely parked, getting down to the beach may also be a little tricky. The roadway is actually at the top of some pretty steep cliffs.
However, if you follow Thunder Cove Road around the bend to where the sand dunes are located, you will find some rough pathways that will take you down to the beach.
These pathways are not stroller or wheelchair friendly. People with mobility issues will have a difficult time trying to make their way down (and then up), the steep sandy dunes.
And just a further warning, do not attempt to climb down the red cliffs. Aside from being pretty steep, the cliffs themselves are unstable, making it incredibly dangerous to try and scale them.
How to See Some Rock Formations at Thunder Cove Beach Safely
Where the Teacup Rock once stood, are some other awesome rock formations. Once you carefully make your way down from the roadway, turn left, and follow the shoreline for approximately 15 minutes.
The beach is nice to walk on, and the further you walk, the closer the cliffs will get to the water. You will find some pretty interesting little caves and rock formations along the cliffs which are cool to explore.
You will then reach a point where the red sandstone cliffs meet the water and block your way. At this point, depending on how you timed your visit, you will most likely just have to get your feet wet.
You will be walking on rock instead of sand as you make your way through the water and around the cliff wall. Just be careful, as it can be really slippery!
Once you have found your way around the rock’s edge, the incredible rock formations will come into view. It is then just a short trek across the rocks to reach your destination.
What Was the Teacup Rock in PEI?
The Teacup Rock was a large and impressive rock formation in the shape of a cup and saucer.
Made from sandstone that has been eroded by wind and water, the Teacup Rock was one of PEI’s most photographed rock formations for many generations!
And while the Teacup Rock was quite popular, there are still many other sandstone rock formations to see and enjoy.
Insider Tips for Visiting Thunder Cove Beach
If you are looking to visit this scenic beach, or take some photos of the awesome rock formations, we have some tips to make your trip a little easier.
Wear Appropriate Shoes
If you are planning to make the trek to the rock formations, make sure that you have good shoes. We would recommend wearing water shoes, which are the perfect footwear to make your way across the slippery rocks.
The kids and I were totally unprepared during our visit and wore flip-flops. We ended up making our way across the rocks with bare feet, which was not the most comfortable.
Do NOT Attempt to Scale the Cliff Walls
Even though there are a ton of signs posted everywhere, we still saw a few people attempting to climb up or down the cliffs in order to avoid going through the water to get to the rock formations. Don’t do it!
The cliffs are made of sandstone and can be very unstable. This makes them incredibly dangerous to scale!
And just a heads up, the only way to get to the rock formations is by walking along Thunder Cove beach (like we talk about in this post). Any other access points would mean crossing private property, like walking through someone’s yard, which is a definite no-no!
Check When Low Tide Is On The Day Of Your Visit
Our biggest tip for visiting Thunder Cove beach in order to see the rock formations would be to check the tide schedule ahead of time! If the water level is too high, you will not be able to make it around the cliff wall to get to the rock formations.
Also, if you plan to spend some time at the beach located just beyond the rock formations, make sure you give yourself enough time to make it back around before the tide comes back in!
Thunder Cove Beach FAQs
Does Thunder Cove Beach have red sand?
Yes! Thunder Cove Beach is one of PEI’s many red-sand beaches. In fact, you will notice that most of Prince Edward Island is home to red soil.
The reason that the sand (and soil) is red, is that it contains a high level of iron oxide, otherwise known as rust.
And here is a fun fact about PEI that you probably didn’t know – the reason that some of PEI’s beaches have white sand has to do with the waves! The more waves there are at a beach, the more they wash the iron oxide away. Thus turning the sand white.
Is Thunder Cove Beach a public beach?
Thunder Cove Beach is open to the general public. However, because it is not part of the provincial or national park system in PEI, means that it does not have any amenities like restrooms available.
So if you are planning to spend some time at the beach, you will need to plan ahead for snacks and water as well.
Can you swim at Thunder Cove Beach?
Yes. Thunder Cove Beach is a great place to go swimming, especially with kids. Not only is the beach less crowded than some of the others on PEI, but the water is warmer on this side of the island, and there are many nice sandbars to swim out to.
Just keep in mind, that this beach is not supervised, so you will need to keep a close watch on the kids while they are in the water.
Are dogs allowed on Thunder Cove Beach?
Yes. Although I did not see any posted signs stating otherwise, it is probably best to keep the dogs on a leash if there are a lot of people on the beach.
Things to Do Near Thunder Cove Beach
If you are only planning a short visit to Thunder Cove Beach, there are many other things to do in the area that are both fun and family-friendly.
Mackenzie’s Brook and the Sea Arch
If you enjoy walking on the beach and admiring rock formations, head over to Mackenzie’s Brook to admire the Sea Arch. Located near Cavendish in Prince Edward Island National Park, the Sea Arch is pretty easy to get to.
From the nearby parking lot, you will need to make your way down a set of stairs that will take you to the beach. Again, be aware of the tides, as they will actually come right up to the staircase! The Arch is just a short walk from the stairway.
Lighthouses and More Lighthouses!
If you are a fan of PEI’s lighthouses, as I am, then you are in luck! There are several of these gorgeous towers all within a short drive of Thunder Cove Beach!
Most are pretty easy to find, but others are a little off the beaten path. Look for the Malpeque Outer Range Rear Light, Cape Tryon Lighthouse, or the New London Lighthouse which are the closest.
Shining Waters Family Fun Park
Shining Waters Family Fun Park is a water park located in Cavendish, PEI. With 36 acres of family fun to explore, you can pretty much spend the rest of your day here!
The park includes over 40 wet and dry attractions. With four large waterslides, a splash pool, three junior waterslides, as well as several rollercoasters, a petting farm, a playground, and other attractions, the whole family is sure to enjoy their time here.
Anne of Green Gables Museum
Of course, while you are in Prince Edward Island, you need to stop in and visit at least one of the Anne of Green Gables attractions! The Anne of Green Gables Museum is just a short 12-minute drive from Thunder Cove Beach.
You can take a self-guided tour through the museum, admire the many artifacts including Anne’s book collection and her incredible organ, take a horse and buggy ride around the lovely property, or shop for some Anne of Green Gables-themed souvenirs.
Avonlea Village
Located in Cavendish, Avonlea was the fictitious name that Author, L.M. Montgomery gave to the town. Not only will you find the original schoolhouse she taught in, the Minister’s residence and the 1872 Historic Long River Church, but Avonlea Village also offers replications of houses and shops from the time of Anne of Green Gables.
Stroll around the village, have a bite to eat or do a little shopping. With 8 eateries and 5 shops available onsite, including PEI’s famous Cows Creamery, Avonlea Village offers something for everyone to enjoy!
Where to Stay Near Thunder Cove Beach
If you are looking to stay in the area, you have many great options open to you. From campgrounds to cottage rentals, small inns and hotels, it really just depends on what you are looking for and what your budget allows.
Cottages
There are several cottages and cabins available for rent within a short drive from Thunder Cove Beach. From Cavendish to New Glasgow, Rustico or Malpeque Bay, you are sure to find the perfect cottage for your stay.
Camping
If you are looking to camp near Thunder Cove Beach, you have a few options. The closest campgrounds are Twin Shores Camping Area and Cabot Beach Provincial Park.
While both are oceanside and have serviced and unserviced sites available, Twin Shores is a privately run campsite, while Cabot Beach is part of PEI’s provincial park system.
Hotels and Inns
There are several hotels, motels and inns available all within a short drive from Thunder Cove beach. From Cavendish to New Glasgow, Rustico or Malpeque Bay, you will find many seaside accommodations with family-friendly amenities and nearby attractions.
Best Places to Eat Near Thunder Cove Beach
There are quite a few small restaurants and eateries within a short drive of Thunder Cove Beach. Whether you are looking for some incredible seafood, a good cup of coffee, or perhaps some local treats, you are sure to find something that sounds appealing.
If you are heading into the Cavendish area and are looking for some amazing seafood, definitely try Sou’West. This unassuming waterside restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating and a wide range of amazing food on its menu. Try the fresh PEI mussels and oysters – they were AMAZING!
And for some delicious treats, head over to Anne of Green Gables Chocolates, also located in Cavendish. Be sure to try the Chocolate Chips and the Raspberry Cordial. Deee-licious!
Final Thoughts on Visiting Thunder Cove Beach
So is Thunder Cove Beach worth visiting without the Teacup Rock? YES!
If you are visiting the northern coast of Prince Edward Island, we would definitely recommend a stop at Thunder Cove Beach.
Not only is the beach scenic and less crowded than most, but the red sandstone cliffs and rock formations are pretty stunning.
We would love to hear all about your visit to Thunder Cove Beach!
Plan Your Prince Edward Island Getaway Using These Tools!
- ✈️ Book Flights: Skyscanner
- 🏨 Book Hotels: Booking.com | TripAdvisor
- 🏠 Book Rental Properties: VRBO
- 🚍 Prince Edward Island Tours: Viator | GetYourGuide
- 🚗 Book Car Rentals: Rentalcars.com
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