Sunset Dinner Cruise on North America’s LARGEST Solar Boat! (6PM)

Charlottetown’s harbor is the star here, but the dinner is close behind. You spend about two hours aboard North America’s largest solar boat, watching the shoreline change in the evening light while a full surf and turf meal comes to the table. The small group size, capped at 34 people, should keep the cruise from feeling like a floating banquet hall.

I like the PEI-focused dinner, especially the half lobster, blue mussels, and rib eye steak. I also like the mix of scenery and history: you pass old cannon defenses and a site tied to Mi’kmaq settlement and a later French fort. The main drawback is that the cruise is weather-dependent, and the all-in price of $141.86 per person is a serious splurge for a two-hour outing.

Key points

• A solar-powered harbor cruise: Ride on what is billed as North America’s largest solar boat.
• A full Surf and Turf dinner: The meal includes mussels, Caesar salad, half a PEI lobster, rib eye steak, vegetables, dessert, and tea or coffee.
• Historic shoreline views: See 1800s cannon battalions and a former Mi’kmaq settlement and French fort site.
• Small maximum group: The boat accepts no more than 34 people, a useful detail for anyone avoiding large tour groups.
• A true sunset schedule: The cruise begins at 6 PM and lasts about two hours.
• Plan around the weather: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, but the experience is otherwise non-refundable.

A two-hour sunset ride on Charlottetown Harbour

The appeal of this cruise is simple: you get a slow-moving view of Charlottetown from the water, then sit down to a substantial dinner as the evening unfolds. You are not just buying a boat ride, and you are not just buying a meal. The experience combines both, with a few pieces of local history along the way.

The boat departs from 1 Weymouth Street in Charlottetown and returns to the same point. Since the start time is 6 PM, you should expect the harbor to be the main event from the first part of the trip onward. The exact amount of sunset color will depend on the date and weather, so I would treat the sunset as a welcome bonus rather than a guarantee.

The boat is limited to 34 people. That matters. A group this size can still feel social, especially since one past outing brought people together from several different places, but it should be easier to hear the crew and enjoy the views than on a much larger vessel.

Why the solar boat matters

Ride Solar presents this as North America’s largest solar boat. The solar design gives the ride a clear identity beyond the usual harbor cruise, and it may appeal to you if you want your sightseeing choice to reflect an interest in cleaner transportation.

Still, the boat’s solar feature is not the same thing as a full environmental report. The supplied details do not explain how much of the boat’s power comes from solar energy, how the system works, or how it compares with other vessels. I would appreciate the idea without treating it as the main reason to book.

The boat has WiFi and a restroom on board. Those are practical comforts during a two-hour cruise, especially when dinner service takes up much of the trip. WiFi may be useful for sharing a photo or checking a message, though the harbor views deserve more attention than your phone.

The harbor views and the old cannon defenses

One of the sightseeing points is a look at the cannon battalions used to defend Charlottetown in the 1800s. This gives the harbor some historical weight. The cannons are not just background scenery. They help explain why the water mattered to the town and why defensive positions were placed along the shore.

You should expect this part of the outing to be a passing view rather than a long walking visit. The activity lasts about two hours, includes dinner, and ends back at the departure point. That makes the cannon site a visual and historical stop during the cruise, not a separate museum visit with time to explore on foot.

This is one reason I would keep your expectations measured. If you want a long, detailed military tour, this cruise may not go far enough. If you like having a few well-chosen historical points added to a scenic meal, it fits better.

Mi’kmaq settlement and the French fort site

Another shoreline sight connects the area to Mi’kmaq settlement and to the French, who later built a fort to defend the mouth of Charlottetown Harbour before the English took control. The site is now a national historic site visited by people from around the world.

That sequence gives you a useful reminder that Charlottetown’s story did not begin with the English period. The stop brings together Indigenous history, French colonial defense, and later British control in one location. Even from the boat, that context adds meaning to the shoreline.

The historical commentary may be brief. The available information makes clear that the cruise includes these sights, but it does not promise a dedicated lecture at each one. One useful point raised about the experience was that more Charlottetown history would have improved an otherwise excellent supper and excursion. If local history is your top priority, you may want to pair this cruise with a separate history-focused visit in Charlottetown.

What arrives at the dinner table

The meal is the strongest practical reason to consider the price. Dinner begins with steamed PEI blue mussels and a fresh roll, followed by Caesar salad with house-made dressing. The main course includes half a PEI lobster, rib eye steak, and seasonal vegetables.

That is a generous menu for a two-hour cruise. PEI lobster and mussels give the meal a local connection, while the rib eye offers a familiar choice for anyone who is less interested in seafood. The half-lobster portion is worth noting: you get a real taste of the island’s signature shellfish, but not a full lobster.

You also choose from two desserts, with tea and coffee included. Alcohol is not part of the package, but it can be purchased on board. Since all fees and taxes are included, the listed $141.86 price is not hiding an extra service charge or tax at checkout, based on the supplied details.

The menu makes this a better fit for a special evening than for a casual sightseeing ride. If you mainly want harbor views, you can find less expensive ways to spend two hours near the water. If you already planned a nice dinner and want to combine it with sightseeing, the price becomes easier to justify.

Is the food the main attraction?

For many people, yes. The dinner is described as excellent, and the meal is more substantial than the light snacks served on many short cruises. Mussels, lobster, steak, vegetables, dessert, and hot drinks give you a complete evening meal without needing to find a restaurant afterward.

But a dinner cruise always involves a tradeoff. Your attention is split between the plate and the view. You may spend part of the outing looking down at dinner rather than out across the harbor. That is not a flaw, but it is worth recognizing before you book.

I would choose this cruise if you enjoy meals that unfold slowly and do not mind missing a little scenery while eating. If your first goal is photography, sightseeing, or close attention to every historical detail, a cruise without dinner might suit you better, though this particular experience is built around the meal.

The value of the $141.86 price

At $141.86 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price covers the boat ride, the dinner, all fees and taxes, WiFi, and use of the onboard restroom. Alcohol costs extra, so you should add that to your mental budget if drinks are part of your evening plan.

The value depends on how you would otherwise spend the night. A meal with lobster and steak at a good restaurant can already be costly. Add harbor views, a two-hour cruise, and a small group, and the package may make sense for a birthday, anniversary, or final night in Charlottetown.

It is less convincing if you are looking for a low-cost way to see the waterfront. The historical sights are viewed from the boat, and the cruise does not provide a long stop for walking around. You are paying for the combined setting, service, dinner, and boat experience.

The fact that the cruise often sells about 36 days ahead is a useful planning clue. It suggests that you should not assume you can decide at the last minute, particularly during a busy season. If your dates are fixed, booking early is sensible.

What the group size and onboard setup mean

A maximum of 34 people gives this outing a more personal scale than a large sightseeing vessel. You should have a better chance of hearing the crew and finding a comfortable view, though the supplied details do not promise assigned seating or a particular table location.

The onboard restroom is a practical advantage. You do not need to interrupt the cruise to find facilities ashore, and the return to 1 Weymouth Street is built into the plan. The boat also has WiFi, though I would use it sparingly and keep your attention on the harbor when the light is at its best.

The cruise is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not describe step-free boarding, accessible seating, or specific mobility arrangements. If you need those details, ask the operator before paying.

Who will enjoy this evening most

I would recommend this cruise for you if you want three things in one outing: a scenic boat ride, a full dinner, and a light introduction to Charlottetown’s waterfront history. Couples and small groups looking for a special evening are the obvious audience, but the modest group limit also suits solo diners who enjoy meeting people during a shared meal.

Food-focused visitors will get the most from the menu. The PEI mussels and lobster give the meal a clear regional flavor, while the steak and dessert make it feel like a proper dinner rather than a tasting plate.

It can also work for people who want an easy evening with few moving parts. You meet at one point, stay aboard, eat, see several historic sites from the water, and return to where you started. That simplicity has real value after a busy day of sightseeing.

Who should think twice

I would hesitate if you dislike fixed schedules or need flexible cancellation. This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason after booking. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, and a cancellation due to too few bookings also brings the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

I would also think twice if you want detailed historical interpretation. The cannon defenses and former Mi’kmaq and French fort site add welcome context, but this is still a dinner cruise. The history is part of the evening, not the whole purpose.

Finally, consider the cost before you book. The meal is substantial, but the cruise is only about two hours. You should choose it because you want the combination of food and water views, not because you expect a full-day excursion.

Booking tips for the 6 PM departure

Book early if you are visiting on fixed dates. The experience is frequently reserved well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 36 days.

Arrive at 1 Weymouth Street in Charlottetown. The cruise ends there as well, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer. The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book.

Check the weather forecast before setting aside the evening, but remember that the cancellation terms are strict unless the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient bookings. Alcohol is available for purchase, but it is not included, and the minimum legal drinking age for this activity is 19.

Should you book the Ride Solar dinner cruise?

Book it if you want a polished evening built around local seafood, steak, and harbor scenery. The half PEI lobster, mussels, small group, and historic shoreline views give the cruise more substance than a simple sunset ride.

Skip it if you want the lowest-cost harbor outing, a long walking tour, or detailed history at every stop. At $141.86, it is a special-occasion purchase. For the right evening, though, it brings dinner, sightseeing, and Charlottetown’s waterfront together in a convenient two-hour package.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin?

The cruise begins at 1 Weymouth Street, Charlottetown, PE C1A 0B4, Canada.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at 1 Weymouth Street.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

What time does the cruise start?

This departure begins at 6 PM.

What food is included?

Dinner includes steamed PEI blue mussels with a fresh roll, Caesar salad with house-made dressing, half a PEI lobster, rib eye steak, seasonal vegetables, a choice of two desserts, and tea or coffee.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are available to purchase, but they are not included in the price.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A restroom is available on board.

How many people can join the cruise?

The activity has a maximum of 34 travelers.

Can I cancel for a refund?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of people is not met, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.