Petrie Island: So much to see and do!

Petrie Island holds a special place in the hearts of Orléans residents as well as the many visitors that come to take in its natural beauty and participate in the many activities there. 

Every summer, folks from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and China come to enjoy the exceptionally fine fishing in the area. Many others come to take in the white sand beaches, the Caribbean vibe, and bask in the restorative sunshine. Still others come for canoeing, kayaking, and observing wildlife, ranging from adorable turtles and magnificent birds to wildflowers. 

Families enjoy picnicking on the island, followed by a swim in water that often has the highest quality ranking of all the beaches in Ottawa. You can find out about beach water quality results, reported daily in the summer, here on the city of Ottawa’s website. 

You can find out a lot about Petrie Island by visiting the Friends of Petrie Island website. They also run an interpretive centre on the island with Adult and Family Nature Tours. 

After the activities, many visitors love to head over to St-Joseph Boulevard, with its wide variety of restaurants, to enjoy a meal. From a quick poutine stop with the kids to a romantic Italian dinner by candlelight with your loved one – and everything in between – there is something yummy for every palate.