New tour at Basin Head Marine Protected Area

An aerial view of the Basin Head Marine Protected Area.

Islanders are invited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Basin Head Marine Protected Area with a new guided tour featuring hands-on conservation activities and immersive experiences that highlight the area’s natural and cultural heritage.

The tour runs Thursday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. throughout September. It begins at the Basin Head Fisheries Museum, 336 Basin Head Road, Souris, and is free with Museum admission.   

“The story of Basin Head’s Marine Protected Area is unique and fascinating. It spans

thousands of years and features an ecosystem unlike any other, just steps away from one of the most beautiful beaches on the Island,” said Matthew McRae, executive director, PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation. “We are grateful to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for their financial support to develop this fun and engaging experience. We are thrilled to offer this tour to Islanders and visitors throughout September here at Basin Head.”

Tour participants will walk on Basin Head’s famous singing sands, sample ice cream made with carrageenan extracted from Irish moss, (like the protected moss that grows in the Basin Head lagoon), and help pull a green crab trap from the water to examine and document its contents.  

The tour was developed in partnership with the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Souris and Area Wildlife, as part of a special initiative marking the Basin Head Marine Protected Area’s milestone year on September 26. 

For more information about the tour or the Basin Head Fisheries Museum, call 902-357-7233 or visit PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation.