海角社区官网

Not far from Cape Tryon鈥檚 much more photographed lighthouse atop a sandstone cliff, this modest tower has stood watch since 1876. I didn鈥檛 learn about it through a travel guidebook or blog; I was tipped off by a TikTok video, which sent me walking down a clay road 鈥� you can鈥檛 drive right up to the historic structure 鈥� to find it on a field backed by the beach.

The lighthouse was just one of my serendipitous discoveries on my summer trip to , which I鈥檇 planned in a whole new way. I based my itinerary entirely on TikTok research, but not on the polished cottagecore edits of travel influencers.

Instead, I went searching for uncurated snippets of real-life from locals just posting about the place they call home, #PrinceEdwardIsland. Then I scoured the comments, which were sometimes snarky but often useful, serving up more tips (and counter-opinions) from other locals.

When I researched where to have the best lobster roll, for example, one islander recommended skipping the long line at any Richard鈥檚 shack and heading to in Cardigan instead. Just to do my due diligence, I visited both, as well as the Lobster Barn in Victoria-by-the-Sea, which serves its version on a buttered bun with homemade mayo. Although it was a close contest, I鈥檇 agree that Clamdiggers offers the superior roll with the added crunch of celery.

P.E.I. is blessed with more than 90 beaches, so you can always find quiet coves and hidden bluffs, if you know where to look. While the red sands of Cavendish Beach are deservedly popular, I followed TikTok advice to the similarly vibrant but quieter Tea Hill Beach, near Charlottetown, where the shallow waters are ideal for kids, stopping at nearby for sweet and tangy fish tacos served with mango slaw.

Insider pointers helped me avoid common snags, too; one clarified that the 鈥渄ead end鈥� near Thunder Cove Beach is actually a loop, so you can circle back for closer parking 鈥� a highly specific tip that saved me a long walk. I also stumbled on a video about sea glass that led me to Souris Provincial Park, where low tide revealed a rich collection of ocean-polished treasures.

While watching a video on Charlottetown, I spied a colourful restaurant in the background. Pink Crow caught my eye with its neon-pink door, but it had opened just days before my visit, so I wouldn鈥檛 have found it in any guidebook. The food was so delicious, I ate there twice during my stay. The wood-fired lobster and potato pizza gave me a taste of two P.E.I. staples, while the roasted oysters with pepperoni butter were particularly moreish.

Of course, ice cream from one of Cows鈥� several locations is non-negotiable, but a TikTok tip also led me to in Summerside, where everything is handmade, from the cones baked in-house to the small-batch ice cream. The banana bread flavour was a family favourite.

Although my scrolling surfaced practical tips that made my travel easier, it also helped temper expectations 鈥� a reality check in a sea of Insta-perfect content.

For example, I wanted to visit Thunder Cove Beach in Darnley, home to an iconic 鈥渇lowerpot鈥� formation. But thanks to comments on a TikTok, I learned that the oft-photographed Teacup Rock is no more: Post-tropical storm Fiona toppled it in 2022.

So I arrived at the beach with a truer idea of what I鈥檇 find, and I could appreciate the beauty that鈥檚 still there. I climbed over rocks, went swimming in the ocean and sat in caves watching the waves. It was a trip highlight.

For travellers hungry for authentic experiences and recommendations, especially restaurants and attractions that haven鈥檛 yet made it to the mainstream, I found TikTok uniquely helpful. It gave me a chance to 鈥渟ee鈥� the island before arriving, with all its quirks and secrets.