hiking trails in bonaventure island

去鸟岛在码头下船必须穿过整个岛才能看见北方塘鹅，如果时间充裕可以选择环岛路线，名字叫做Le Chemin-du-Roy，基本上是围绕着岛转一圈，否则就中间最短的路线Les Colonies吧，一个半小时足够了。

去鸟岛在码头下船必须穿过整个岛才能看见北方塘鹅，如果时间充裕可以选择环岛路线，否则就中间最短的路线吧，一个半小时足够了。

虽然要走45分钟才能看到鸟群栖息的地方，但是很值得！沿路的景色也非常美，总之沿路的辛苦是值得的，鸟群太壮观了！我们选择的路线叫做Colonie，这条路据说是最快能到鸟群栖息处的路线！

Took the tour in late morning, amazing sighting of the 1000's of gannets and lots of seals. By the time we returned to the dock the fog had rolled in, about 100 feet above the water. Great photos.

When you travel to the tip of the Gaspé peninsula, it is easy to understand why the region was listed as one of the Top 10 world-wide travel destinations in National Geographic a few years ago. The Chic Choc mountains and the magnificent coastal lagoons and salt marshes come to mind, as well as the legendary Percé Rock, natural icon of Quebec, and Bonaventure Island. A migratory bird sanctuary, the island is home to one of the largest and most accessible Northern Gannett colonies in the world. Altogether, some 300,000 seabirds nest here, including Arctic puffins, razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes. The island is easily accessible with local ferry boats, leaving regularly from Percé. They circle the island to allow fabulous and dramatic views of the nesting cliffs and a colony of resident seals, usually basking in the sun, on the rocks south of the island.Several hiking trails lead to the Gannett colony, each having its own characteristics and appeal. This time, we chose the shortest one, Les Colonies, which took us through a pleasant boreal forest to the other side of the island. The scenery on the way up to the forest was breathtaking, with a rich flora, including fields of brightly colored Fireweed and Canadian Goldenrod, and splendid views of the bay, the Rock and the coast. As you reach the nesting grounds on the plateau above the steep cliffs, you hear the birds - and smell them - before you see them. What an impressive display; some 100,000 of them, and you can get to within feet of the closest birds; just great if you want to take some close-ups. We were spellbound by the spectacular panorama and the flight of these graceful birds and high-speed divers, and it was interesting to observe their behavior and rituals. It was rather amusing at times. We talked with the park rangers, who gladly gave us a wealth of information about the colony and the site in general.Tickets for the boat rides to and from the island can be purchased at the pier, at hotels or other outlets throughout town. The first boat leaves at about 9 in the morning to take employees directly to the island. On one occasion or two, we had been offered to go with them. You might want to inquire at the sales office at the pier, to see if you can join them if you don't want to circle the island first. Food is available at the entrance to the Park, but I would recommend you take a light picnic along and something to drink. Picnic tables are available throughout the island, and so are toilet facilities. They have entry fees to the Park, but the experience is well worth it. It is nature at its best. If this review has been helpful, please let me know by clicking on YES below.

Even we only are allowed to hike one trail due to weather, but we enjoyed. Our teenage sons absolutely like it

Simply amazing! The trails took us to the gannets colonies on top of the cliff. Just watching these birds (and hearing the unrelenting noises they make) is worth the effort getting to this island off Perce. The longest trail bring us leisurely back to the dock, meandering through the houses of long gone settlers, with the famed Perce Rock looming not too far in the background.

We were on our way from Gaspé to our next destination and just happened upon this boat trip to Bonaventure. It was truly amazing! First the boat takes you to the beautiful pierced rock and then around the Bonaventure island where you see the seals and gannets on the cliffs. You can choose to go on the island and see the colonies from very close by. The smell is bad and the flies annoying but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the largest colony of gannets in the world!

We decided to take the shortest trail because we did not want to walk to much (not in shape the seniors) but it was the hardest because it was very abrupt to climb when not use to do exercise hi!hi! But we did it and proud of it to! My sister and her husband enjoyed seeing the birds on top of the island. Around 120,000 in summer season .

We took the ferry over. It was easy to get tickets as there are many places to buy them in town and they are all the same price ($25/ticket). Regardless of where you buy tickets, however, everyone gets on the same ferry. The boat tours around Perce Rock and views the gannet colony and resident seals on the far side of the island before docking. This takes about 30 minutes. I am very prone to motion sickness but I did fine because it was a short ride and very calm. However, I think I would not have done well if the water was at all wavy or choppy. After docking, we chose to get off and hike around on the island (you can just go back to Perce). It was $3.50/person to go on the island (it's a National Park). We hiked the Sentier des Colonies trail across the island to see the gannets and then hiked back to the dock via the Sentier Chemin-du-Roy trail that goes along the gannet colonies and then along the cost around the South end of the island. The gannet colonies are pretty smelly and there are non-biting flies. HOWEVER, it is super cool and nothing like we'd ever seen, so it is definitely worth it. Additionally, as you hike away from the colonies, the smell dissipates quickly. We were worried about it lingering on the trail, but it did not and the views from the Sentier Chemin-du-Roy trail are definitely worth it. The hiking is very easy, especially if you hike as they recommend, it is all flat and downhill. We hiked it about 30 minutes faster than they predicted. A lot of people bring a picnic lunch and spend time swimming at the beach (Pointe Lazy Beach) off this trail on the East side of the island. To do this, however, you would need to take one of the early ferries over to the island to have enough time there. The ferries run every hour but make sure to get to the dock with some time in advance as they are first come first serve to get back and get crowded as the day goes on. Therefore, I would definitely recommend taking the early ferries over. It takes a bit of planning to make sure you get your timing right but it is a fun day and worth the money for the great views and wildlife.

On a beautiful day this is a fun adventure. There is a fee to enter the hiking zone; chemical toilets are places at the beginning and middle of trails. To end the hike with a delicious fish soup in the small cafe makes for an enjoyable day.

This was a wonderful trip. Next time we will go earlier to allow for a longer hike. A very special place.

The seagull like birds nesting in the thousands was amazing and very smelly. Lots of bothersome flies too. Magnificent views of the ocean and seals in the water.

My wife and I took the tour boat out to the Island during our stay in Perce. I certainly recommend doing so. The Island is a provincial park which protects the history and the nesting Gannets. A trail leads about 3 kilometers (1.5 miles) out to the nesting area on top of the cliffs. There are thousands of birds nesting there. Doing what Gannets do; nesting, mating, fighting, diving for fish, etc. It is truly fascinating! The boat ride is nice and the Island is beautiful ! Definitely worth going!

There are lots of wonderful reviews, but I'll be the devil's advocate and point out the shortcomings.To get to bonaventure island you need to take a one hour boat ride than only run on the hour. The boats are passenger ferries, suited to short trips, not longer rides. We had choppy seas, so they ran out of barf bags. Seeing the gannat colony at the end of the hike was really interesting, but it's still a 45 minute hike, so that really rules out families with small kids. Timing is an issue with the hourly boat rides and a 45 minute hike.Staff in the restaurant are not very helpful. Food is so-so, really overpriced for the quality.I think a lot of these issues could be improved if the boat rides would offer some semi-direct trips to bonaventure on the half hour. Perhaps a 30 minute ride where they still take the time to look at the rock, but skip the circle around bonaventure...?For a hike it's really overpriced. It was $57 for the boat ride for my 2 kids and I to get there, then $11 park entry, plus $20 for a very paltry snack (we went to get expensive coffee/hot chocolate to warm up after a wet & windy excessively long boat ride).Skip it...