You’re sure to be enchanted with the West Point Lighthouse. Built in 1875, it’s a lovely example of “second-generation” lighthouse architecture. At 67 feet, eight inches, from base to vane, it is also PEI’s tallest lighthouse. With its black and white stripes and distinctive gable-roof, plus the fact that it is set against the backdrop of red sands and dunes of the West Cape region, it is a spectacular sight.  The West Point Lighthouse is also PEI’s only working lighthouse inn.

Called the first of PEI’s second generation lighthouses, West Point Lighthouse was the first of the Island’s square towers.  Since it was built in 1875, only 8 Island lighthouses pre-date it. The West Point structure was originally painted white with broad red horizontal stripes; these stripes were changed to black since black is more fade-resistant and provides more contrast. From 1942-1945, the light was kept operational during the winter as a night-time guide for pilots at the British Commonwealth Air Training School. Run automatically from 1963-1982, the lighthouse has since been converted to an inn and museum.