Bonaventure IslandBonaventure Island sits in the Gulf of St. Lawrence about 3.5 km off the southern coast of the Gaspé Peninsula and roughly 5 km southeast of the village of Percé; the island covers about 4.16 km2. It is part of the Parc national de l’île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé, a protected area that groups the island with nearby Percé Rock.
The island has a long human history as a seasonal fishing port in the era of New France and later attracted settlers from southern Ireland and other places; commercial fisheries were important here into the 19th century. Bonaventure was declared a migratory bird sanctuary in 1919, and the province acquired the island by expropriation in 1971 before creating the national park in 1985.
Today the island is best known for wildlife rather than residents: it hosts one of the world’s largest northern gannet colonies and hundreds of thousands of seabirds overall. Visitors come for close views of nesting seabirds, coastal scenery and photography opportunities; boat trips and guided island visits run in the warmer months.
- Northern gannet colony: One of the island’s highlights is its enormous northern gannet colony, counted at about 51,700 pairs in 2011.
- Seabird diversity: More than 200 bird species have been recorded here, including kittiwakes, common murres, razorbills and Atlantic puffins.
- Cliffs and coastal viewpoints: The island’s rocky coasts and vantage points offer dramatic views of seabird colonies and the surrounding St. Lawrence waters.
- Views of Percé Rock: From parts of the island you can look back across the water to iconic Percé Rock and the town of Percé.
- Wildlife observation: Bring binoculars and a telephoto lens for detailed views of nesting birds without disturbing colonies.
Nearby Attractions to Bonaventure Island#
Best Time to Visit Bonaventure Island#
Bonaventure Island is most visited in the warmer months when boats operate and seabirds are nesting.
Weather & Climate near Bonaventure Island#
Bonaventure Island's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -16°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1215 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -16° - -6° | -18° | 98 mm | partly cloudy | 94% | 5.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| February | Poor | -15° - -5° | -18° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 94% | 5.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.0h |
| March | Poor | -9° - -1° | -11° | 77 mm | partly cloudy | 91% | 5.1 m/s | 0.5 low | 11.7h |
| April | Poor | -3° - 4° | -4° | 88 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 4.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 2° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.0h |
| June | Good | 7° - 16° | 11° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.0 m/s | 1.5 high | 15.8h |
| July | Good | 11° - 20° | 15° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 3.7 m/s | 1.5 high | 15.5h |
| August | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 118 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.8 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.1h |
| September | Very Good | 7° - 15° | 11° | 88 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 2° - 9° | 2° | 133 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.8 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -4° - 3° | -5° | 119 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| December | Poor | -11° - -2° | -13° | 104 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
How to Get to Bonaventure Island#
The nearest settlement is the village of Percé, about 5 km northwest across the water; most visitors reach the island by boat from Percé harbour. Boat services and guided island visits typically operate in the warmer months (check local schedules).
The Gaspé region is reached by road from other parts of Quebec and by air to regional airports in the Gaspé Peninsula; the last stretch to the island is by boat from Percé - use organized tours or check with park authorities before you go.
Tips for Visiting Bonaventure Island#
- Boat access and organized visits usually run May to October - outside those months services are limited or not available.
- Keep to designated paths and observation areas to avoid disturbing nesting seabirds and follow park staff instructions.
- Expect cool, windy and changeable weather even in summer - bring windproof and waterproof outer layers and sturdy shoes.
- Binoculars and a camera with a zoom are essential for wildlife viewing; also be prepared for strong seabird smells near colonies.