Bonaventure Island
Gaspé Peninsula
Quebec, Canada

Percé At the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula is the small village of Percé. The village is named for its proximity to a large rock formation at the far end of which is a sea arch. Thus Percé or pierced rock.

Bonaventure Island
Two miles from shore is the island of Bonaventure. The island is home to the second largest Northern Gannet breeding colony in the world. and since 1972 a provencial park .

The spectacular 250 foot nesting cliffs are best seen by taking a boat trip around the island. The cliffs are white with birds: Gannets, Kittiwakes, Gulls, Murres, Guillemots. Thousands and thousands of birds on the cliffs, flying in and out and on the water below the cliffs. The walk across the island to the Gannet colony is good for warblers and other land birds.

You havn't really seen a Gannet until you see the activity at a breeding colony. Scenery is magnificent and there are other activities such as fishing, whale watching and dining on french cuisine. This is a must see place for birders and one that can be enjoyed by non-birdering spouses and children.Certainly worth the long trip around the Gaspé although the Peninsula has some other spots well worth visiting for scenery and general birding

When To Visit
June - July are optimal, but the Gannets are around in August and even September.

How To Get Out There
There are local ferry boats that take visitors out to the island and circle the island to see the cliffs on the far side. You can also land on the other side of the island walk across the island through a pleasant boreal forest to stand at a fence and watch the birds at close range.

Where Can You Stay
Percé has a fine campground, several hotels and restaurants. Seehttp://www.infogaspesie.com/villages/la_pointe/perce/perce.html .

The sea arch taken from a boat on the way to Bonaventure Island.