lobster fishing tours pei

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Top Notch Charters – Lobster Excursions

Location Peake's Quay Wharf Charlottetown Charlottetown Area

Contact [email protected] 9026266689 (T)

About this Experience

Amenities & accreditations, location & directions.

• Captain jeff
• Battle a bluefin!
• Feed giant tuna!
• Deep-sea fishing
• Whales and seals
• Lobster fishing
• Shark fishing
• Accommodations
• Get in touch!

Prince Edward Island Tuna and deep-sea fishing Charters

In the tuna capital of the world, north lake, p.e.i..

discover the most unique deep-sea fishing experience with captain jeff macneill

Let’s go fishing.

• battle a bluefin!
• feed giant tuna!
• deep-sea fishing
• whales and seals
• lobster fishing
• shark fishing

captain jeff macneill

Captain Jeff is all about making your trip a success. You won’t find anyone else as determined as he is to have you hooked up to a monster fish. You will be hanging on for dear life with these North Lake Bluefins weighing up to and over 1000 pounds — all within 5 minutes of the harbour! Join us on the Money Maid for a bucket-list thrill ride and the experience of a lifetime!

1,350 pounds

Jeff’s personal tuna fishing record.

Be sure to ask Captain Jeff about his other tour experiences: Mako Shark Fishing, Deep-Sea Fishing, Lobster Fishing and Whale and Seal Watching Tours. Don't forget to bring your camera, fishing with Captain Jeff is the ultimate PEI Charter Fishing and Tours experience!

are you ready for the battle with monsters? Let’s go fishing!

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• Rates & Reservations
• Trip Advisor Reviews
• Tuna Charters

Owned and Operated by Capt. Mark Jenkins (the real deal PEI lobster tour with no affiliation with any other boat tour operators)

Sailings (aboard the top notch), tours run july 3rd to august 31.

Check availability for reservations

Your excursion vessel is a Hustler fiberglass boat, by MacPhee's Custom Marine launched in 2021. Aboard, you’ll have ample power to cruise at speeds of up to 20 knots powered by a 705 HP Diesel Cat engine. There’s plenty of seating topside, and on those really sunny days, 3/4 of the deck is covered by shade. If necessary, the shaded area can be enclosed to give shelter from weather conditions.

Top Notch’s cabin provides a private bathroom, and the vessel is equipped with the latest safety and communication equipment, including 2 VHF radios, GPS, GPS Chart Plotter, and a sounder.

As safety is of the utmost importance, Top Notch is licensed with the "Small Vessel Monitoring & Inspection Program" by Transport Canada as well as inspected under the Food Safety Program by the Health Department.

The journey aboard Top Notch begins from 3 Great George St. at Peake's Quay Marina (Waterfront) in Charlottetown. Heading out into Charlottetown Harbour, Captain Mark and his family explain the importance of the lobster fishery to the Island economy, and the conservation measures being used to protect the stock. Passengers will see how GPS technology is used to guide fishers to their traps and they’ll also have the opportunity to check out the bottom of the harbour using sonar.

Once at the first lobster trap, passengers can help haul the catch from the water, and those who are brave enough will have the chance to hold a live lobster. After adding fresh bait, the trap will be put back in the water as Top Notch heads to the mouth of the harbour and into the Northumberland Strait, past Port La Joye/Fort Amherst, the Island’s oldest European settlement.

While lobster suppers are a "must do" on Prince Edward Island, nowhere will you find a more magnificent setting for fresh lobster dining than aboard Top Notch, anchored near the mouth of Charlottetown Harbour. Diners can choose to have their lobster served hot or try it cold, the way Islanders enjoy it. Meals include a 1-lb lobster, coleslaw, potato salad, a roll, and a non-alcoholic beverage. Wine and beer is also available as Top Notch is a liquor-licensed vessel.

Before arriving back at the wharf, Captain Mark welcomes the opportunity to pose with passengers for a photograph. Anyone who would like to have their photo taken with the Captain at the wheel is invited to pass their camera to a crew member. He’ll be happy to take a picture to preserve the memories of an incredible Island experience.

The last tour of the day, our evening tour, is also available for private charters. A variety of options are also available, including the addition of a traditional Island fiddler or other enhancements. Please contact us for pricing, options, and to make arrangements.

Maximum 12 Participants

Welcome to Our Site

The Misty Blue Waters fishes lobster in May and June during the spring lobster season. If interested in a trip with Andrew to see what it is about enquire by email.

Then from June thru September they run PEI deep sea fishing charters with three trips a day. All gear and bait is supplied. The most commonly caught fish are mackerel and cod fish, but you never know what else you might pull up from below. Trips are early morning- 8 AM, afternoon -1 PM and evening- 6 PM.

Shark fishing can be arranged with proper notice, and is best in September and October.

Party – sightseeing cruises can be chartered any time. You never know what wildlife you might see when out on the water. Gannets, Sea Gulls, Bluefin Tuna, Whales and Porpoise are common sights. You will need to dress according to the weather of the day and bring sun protection. You are responsible for bringing your drinks and snacks as well. Water and pop for sale at wharf office. For reservations call or email Andrew Roberts.

Call (902) 569-7838 or email [email protected]

Call today and book your PEI Deep Sea Fishing Experience.

Tranquility Cove Adventures

Fishing & boat tours in pei, canada, • our most popular experiences •.

• Most Popular
• Calendar July and August
• Hour Glass 4 hours
• Users 10+ Recommended

Clam Digging Tours

Join us for a fun giant bar clam dig on our main adventure of the summer. It’s only offered in July and August when the waters are warmest so be sure to book now!

• Hour Glass 2 hours
• Users All ages

Deep Sea Fishing in Georgetown

Our deep sea fishing trip is a very well-rounded family adventure that covers a lot of what we are about here on Prince Edward Island and includes great BBQ on board!

Prince Edward Island's Leading Experiential Provider!

Tranquility Cove Adventures is a small, unique experiential tourism operation. We specialize in hands-on adventures covering giant clam digs with beach cook-outs, deep sea fishing with onboard BBQs, and starfish hunts. A lot of our travellers like the private boat charter options for families to get out there in a safer environment.

• More Fun Experiences •

• Hour Glass 1-4 week rentals

Beach Suite Weekly Rental

Relax and enjoy the perfect getaway retreat with a weekly rental of our private beach suite that is great for 2 people! Swim in the cove and enjoy easy access to area attractions.

Ice Fishing for Oysters

The first of its kind in the world, Tranquility Cove Adventures offers you the oyster-tonging experience of a lifetime with all-you-can-eat oysters!

Georgetown Historic Inn

Stay at the captain's daughter's inn, follow the action on social media.

• TripAdvisor
• X formerly Twitter

Tripadvisor's #1 Activity in Georgetown!

Our whole family had such a great time! Perry and his crew showed our boys (15 and 12 yrs) mussels, lobster, and crab, and how they are harvested. Then we went fishing, and we all caught mackerel. Perry fired up the BBQ and we had the freshest BBQ mackerel ever - it was great! Perry shared some great stories about the area and the fishing industry in Georgetown - all so interesting!

We had an absolute blast on the Giant Clam Bar Dig! We loved getting up close with the crabs, lobsters, and mussels. Perry and Art were supreme guides and the boat was comfortable and incredibly clean. Clam digging on the sand bar was unforgettable, and we'll absolutely be back with the whole family.

What a great experience with Perry and Art! Learned a lot about fishing in the area and life on PEI. Enjoyed the mackerel we caught and they cooked for us onboard. Thanks for making such a memorable experience for us with your great Maritime hospitality.

Another wonderful trip with Perry deep sea fishing today. I take all my visiting friends and relatives on this excursion and they love it. Many of them have been several times and never get tired of it. You can't eat fish any fresher than this. Awesome staff!

Catch Your Own

Words by Dalene Heck / Photography by Dalene & Pete Heck

It wasn’t enough for us to indulge in  all the food of Prince Edward Island . We wanted to experience it.

lobster fishing

There was a time, in the not too distant past, where lobster was considered poor man’s food.

“My father,” stated Mark, a fourth generation lobster fisherman, “he was bullied for taking lobster sandwiches to school.” Before arriving on the school grounds, he would peel the meat out from between the bread and leave it in a garbage can.

Seems unfathomable, both Pete and I thought. Nowadays, lobster are considered an utterly luxurious food, and along with Pete’s quest to find the best servings across the province, we wanted to learn more about the act of fishing them as well.

It may not have actually been lobster season, but here we were with Captain Mark and his fishing partner Cody, pushing out into the harbour of Charlottetown on a grey and dreary morning. We were searching for their buoys of black and gold and to see firsthand the process required to retrieve what they might hold inside. Yes, because it was off-season the lobsters (and crab) were staged, and we weren’t actually going to be eating what we caught, but that was not the point. We were here to learn.

Lobster fishing is not a year-round affair; the seasons are carefully controlled so as to protect the population. During Mark’s short season he hauls in every trap every day – all 272 of them – until the quota is reached. Except for Sundays that is, as there is an island agreement that everyone takes that day off. It’s not the only unwritten rule among the fisherman as everyone’s placement of traps is also acknowledged and respected. There is a strong sense of community, and the desire to have “everyone win”.

At the first trap, one of the youngest in our tour helped to pull it in. With a long hooked pole she effortlessly snagged the line attached to the buoy. Draping and towing the rope over a pulley, Mark hoisted the trap to the surface and hauled it onto the boat. Three different times, traps were pulled at three different locations. The critters inside were brought out for display and discussion.

We learned of the difference between the sexes, the measurements for which they could be kept or tossed, and how technology has even evolved with the traps. When the GoPro first came out, they attached one to a trap and left it submersed for three hours. It was the first time they were able to watch the pattern of their crustacean targets, and to contemplate the effectiveness of their traps. It resulted in immediate changes in design, and an increase of 30% in their catches.

(This appealed to the analytical nerd in me. Coming into this I already had a romantic notion of a life on the water, and that fact amplified it. Of course, the life of a fisherman is not near as dreamy as I imagine it to be, but I’ll just continue to pretend that it is.)

“In the winter we drink beer, play hockey, and build traps,” Mark said, “in that order.” To these two Canadians, that sounds pretty good.

John seemed an unlikely tour guide — soft spoken, devoid of any emphatic displays or exaggeration of storytelling – traits that usually lend to others in his position. Might I say that I think that makes him the perfect tour guide? He was so clearly knowledgable of his craft, living in a place he loves, and sharing the joy of his work with the many who visit.

Along with his wife Jackie, they own a beautiful house on the Pinette River. In their backyard, we loaded up with bug spray and clamming tools and descended the stairs and onto the muck below. With the tide out, the bay was rust red with streaks of tepid water left behind several hours before. The conditions were perfect to begin our hunt.

As instructed, we placed the shovel a few inches behind a tiny hole in the otherwise smooth sand, indicative of a clam underneath. The bigger the hole, the bigger the clam, usually. We carefully pressured the shovel into the sand with the sole of one foot and then turned the earth over slowly in an effort to not crack the soft shells. On almost every turn, we found clams, and checked the size against the guide on the size of our bucket. Smaller clams were returned to the sand, larger ones were kept for a future feast.

In the muddier sections, quahogs were our quest. They sit just below the surface; they are a little more durable and easily raked up.

In all, we spent no more than an hour mucking in the mud, probably less, and we had the freedom to come and go from John and Jackie’s house as we pleased. But Pete and I were the last two to leave, thoroughly enjoying the pursuit and in my case, the feel of the mud between my toes (my sandals were a hindrance to any movement in the sticky mud, I quickly set them aside and got back to clammin’).

While our treasures were sent off to be cleaned, the group ate yesterday’s catch that Jackie cooked up during our dig. Clams cooked only in their own juice with celery and carrots and served with butter, the quahogs came later. Beyond our catch: a mussel station, an assortment of vegetables and cold beverages, and even Jackie’s homemade donuts.

I am not an eater of fish or seafood and I devoured the donuts (so greedily as to not have even bothered to take a photo of them). But whether I ate the results of our efforts or not mattered none – on this day it was the experience that mattered.

More, in this video:

how to do it

Our lobster fishing experience through  Top Notch Charters  was so informative and enthralling. The lobster fishing industry is such an important part of Maritime culture that this is truly not to be missed.

Same goes for our experience with  Happy Clammers ! And the very best part of our afternoon is that we felt like we were visiting the home of friends. The hospitality and warmth of John and Jackie is a perfect display of what the people of Atlantic Canada are all about.

This post was produced by us, brought to you by Tourism PEI .

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Wow this looks so fun! Last month I was in New Brunswick and PEI visiting family and had planned to go clam digging (I don’t eat seafood but my family does) but unfortunately we just couldn’t fit it in to my visit there. This looks like such a blast!

Wow, I didn’t know this is how you get them :O I have never tried lobster but I guess this is the one cooked alive right?

The story of the lobster fisherman’s father reminds me of another. My father, before shrimp was a popular food, bought a bunch of large shrimp for bait. He didn’t catch anything, so he cooked the shrimp for dinner. And loved it!

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Prince Edward Island Lobster

For more than 150 years, Prince Edward Island lobster fishers have been waking up early, setting their traps and hauling in the most delicious red-shelled crustaceans to share with customers around the world. About 1200 Island lobster fishers work out of PEI’s 45 ports; many fishers are carrying on a tradition that goes back generations.

The Island’s lobster fishers work on the water for two months in one of PEI’s two lobster seasons and the first day of the season is known as Setting Day. It’s a day of celebration, when hundreds of boats leave port, loaded down with traps, heading for the fishing grounds, while hundreds from the community come out to cheer them on!

The rest of the year is busy as the fishers and their families work to maintain their boats, and build and repair their traps. PEI’s lobster fishers are also very active in protecting the health of the fishery and spend time reviewing research, attending meetings, and discussing the future of the sector.

The lobster fishery is truly at the heart of rural PEI, where life ebbs and flows with the lobster season.

Get New Recipes

Get Lobster PEI recipes and information by email.

Featured Fisher

Shelton Barlow

Meet Shelton Barlow, a Prince Edward Island lobster fisher who's seen the industry evolve over the years to become better managed and more sustaina...

Featured Recipe

Lobster, Avocado, and Feta Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Lobster 1. Use seafood scissors to cut across the tail shell and claw shell of the cooked lobster. 2. Extract the meat and chop...

• Name First Last

Do You Know Lobster?

Did you know that lobsters traps have both a kitchen and a parlour?

True – Lobsters traps have both a kitchen and a parlour

ALONG THE EDGE

Experiences, create memories of a lifetime.

CHECK OUT OUR AMAZING PEI SHELLFISH TOUR EXPERIENCES

For each experience you will get to learn about the shellfish industry, practice what you have learned and taste the fruit of your labour! 

Mussel & Lobster Shore Boil

Come meet local retired fisherman Jim Conohan and his wife and enjoy a traditional mussel and lobster meal on his private property. Learn all about the incredible mussel industry and how PEI became the largest producer in North America. Jim will tell you about his years as a lobster fisherman and show you how the lobster traps work. Then be prepared to roll up your sleeve and get up close and personal with a mussel sock… You’ll also get to hear many of Jim’s 45 years of fishing stories which are absolutely

Beachcomber’s Clam Boil

Come meet local retired fisherman Jim Conohan and his wife and enjoy a traditional clam boil meal on his private property.

Learn all about the varieties of clams found on PEI beaches and shores and how to dig them properly.

Jim will take you for a stroll along the beach and teach you how to identify holes and how to dig clams lawfully.

We will cook what you pick that is in season along with other clams fresh from local clam farmers so you get to taste a wide variety.

You’ll also get to hear many of Jim’s 45 years of fishing stories which are absolutely priceless!

Tong & Shuck

Come meet local retired fisherman Jim Conohan and his wife and enjoy the freshest and most delicious oysters you ever had!

Learn all about the incredible oyster farming industry and how PEI has some of the best varieties in North America.

Jim will teach you how to handle the tongs and you’ll get to tong your oysters from his dory right off his porch! (No risk of accidentally ending up swimming with the fish!)

You’ll then learn how to open them safely yourself and slurp up a couple dozen with a variety of condiments.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Here is an overview of the different activities you can enjoy at  Along the Edge Experiences! We offer 3 different tours, two being kids friendly! Although our focus is on the shellfish industry, we do offer alternative meals so all can have a memorable experience!

All our available tours & experiences have been adjusted to accommodate the PEI GOVERNMENT’S COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES.

106 campbell country lane . cardigan pei . c0a 1g0.

• British Columbia
• Saskatchewan
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland & Labrador
• Northwest Territories

Charlottetown Lobster Tours

Haul a lobster trap.

Catch a buoy, haul a trap and band a claw as you learn about the world of lobster fishing on Prince Edward Island. Onboard the Top Notch with Captain Mark Jenkins, feel the ocean breeze and watch for seabirds as Captain Mark explains the hard life of a lobster fisherman. Then sit back and enjoy a delicious, traditional PEI lobster supper.

Length of Trip : Morning sailings: 1.5 hours Afternoon sailings: 2.5 hours Evening sailings: 2.5 hours

Cost : Morning sailings: $45 + tax per person Afternoon sailings: $80 + tax per person Evening sailings: $80 + tax per person

Best time to go : Lobster tours run from July 1st to end of August

Wheelchair friendly : No

Family friendly : Yes

Where to eat : You don’t have to look far on the island to find outstanding lobster meals.   Here’s some of the places I can recommend: Charlottetown:   The Water-Prince Corner Shop and Lobster Pound – busy, bustling and popular with locals and visitors. Book ahead. North Rustico : Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant – huge restaurant with all-you-can-eat buffet salad and mussels, and 26,000lbs of lobster in the tanks. Victoria-by-the-Sea : Lobster Barn Pub and Eatery – known for their fresh lobsters and scallops. Souris : Blue Fin Restaurant (10 Federal Ave) – Excellent value, friendly staff, and serious pie to wash it all down.

Official Site : *Note:   Clamdiggers no longer offer the lobster fishing experience featured in the book, but you can still board a fishing boat to see how lobster are plucked from the ocean (and eat one while you’re at it).  Top Notch Lobster Tours Ph: 902-626-6689 Email: [email protected]

Where to Stay : When visiting Charlottetown, we recommend staying with our partner, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Getting There : Top Notch Charters is located at 2 Prince Street (Waterfront) in Charlottetown

Note from Robin : In the book, you’ll notice I refer to Perry Gottel’s Tranquility Cove Adventures . Since I pulled those wooden lobster traps out with Perry one fine PEI morning, he’s shifted the focus of his business and now offers excellent private charters, deep sea fishing, clam digging and even wedding packages. Fortunately, Captain Mark Jenkins’ Top Notch Lobster Tours offers a wonderful lobster fishing experience, with more lobster eating, and less fish guts.

Experiences

E-book now available on.