Île Bonaventure

Northern gannets strut their stuff!

The great crossing unravels the mystery

The best way to get as close as possible to the most familiar natural symbol of Québec, Percé Rock, is by crossing to Île Bonaventure. Now that erosion has made it impossible to walk close to the ‘Rock,’ the spectacular view experienced aboard has no equal! Did you know that, when Jacques Cartier explored the Gaspé coast in 1534, the rock had not one, but two holes? This type of surprising anecdote will be heard during your crossing, and the guides at parc national de l’île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé will inform you about a variety of historical, geological and natural facts

Robin Hood… and the island!

Upon approaching Île Bonaventure you can see the Northern gannets perched on the cliffs, but the ferry docks at the other end of the island, near the home that once belonged to John Le Boutillier, the associate of Charles Robin, Percé fishing barons. The interesting visit to this home reveals a house that has been entirely renovated and redecorated under the watchful eye of the park’s director, Rémi Plourde. The result is impressive, to say the least, both for the attention to detail and the beauty of the period furniture. Following the visit, head to Resto des Margaux and stock up on a picnic to go (try the seafood soup, if you arrive at lunchtime) so that you will have enough energy during your discovery of the island!

Secret trail

You have a choice among four trails to cross the island to the Northern gannet observation site. You will discover some very interesting vegetation along these trails. The disparity of the flora is incredible. And the fauna is not to be outdone: aside from the Northern gannets, no less than 292 species of birds can be observed. No wonder this is one of the 12 best bird watching sites in North America! You can take a guided tour every day from June to September.Details HERE.

Gannet symphony…

You’ve now reached the culminating point of your discovery, and you can smell it! At Pointe à Butler, a living white carpet undulates before you: this is where more than two-thirds of the colony of nearly 130 000 Northern gannets live, with the other third living on the island’s shore. You can approach them closer than anywhere else in the world, and the scene is almost mythical. The peculiar eyes of this bird, combined with its white, yellow, blue, black and grey plumage give it an intriguing allure, as it bandies about, as if dancing to the sounds of a symphony. The species will be here for a long time, as the gannet colony is growing at an annual rate of 3%. Just think, 125 years ago there were only 3000 birds on the island! The bountiful fish close to the island explains this increase, as does the lack of natural predators, the only ones being the island’s inhabitants who, in the last century, used to invite the gannets to the dinner table… in a pot!