Canada & New England Cruises: Excursions

Cruise to Perce Rock and around Bonaventure Island sectors to see its gannet colony – the largest in the world – then explore Perce on your own. The Parc National de l'Ile-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Perce is an enchanting site. Sculpted by time and the sea at the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula, it makes an extravagant show of its rich historical heritage and amazing geological history. Its remarkable flora and fauna, including its world-renowned northern gannet colony, contribute to the park's reputation as a must-see destination. This rocky bastion is a prolongation of the Appalachian Mountains extending into the waters of the Gulf of the St. Lawrence and has for its fortress Bonaventure Island and Perce Rock, Quebec’s tourist-emblem, as its majestic vessel of stone. Bonaventure Island is home to a spectacular congregation of 300,000 sea birds, including razorbills, gulls, murres, and puffins. The island also has 223 species of avian wildlife. Perce Rock, one of the world’s largest and most spectacular natural arches, is proud testament to Gaspesie’s geological heritage. An unshakeable mass of rock and limestone 375 million years old, it measures 474 yards (433 meters) in length, 98 yards (90 meters) wide, and 96 yards (88 meters) at its highest point. Its weight is estimated at five million tons. The arch itself is 49 feet (15 meters) high. The rock is a nesting place for cormorants, kittiwakes and seagulls. One of the most popular activities in Perce is the boat tour around the Parc National de l’Ile-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Perce, which takes visitors to both sides of the famous Perce Rock and then out to see the thousands of birds nesting on the cliffs of Bonaventure Island. A boat excursion to the rock and around the island is an unforgettable experience. The highpoint of the visit is without doubt the sight of 250,000 birds nesting on the island. The island’s colony of 120,000 northern gannets is the most important and accessible in the world. Note: At Perce, walking is at guest’s discretion on mainly flat surfaces. At the marina, must be able to walk approximately 100 yards (92 meters) from the tender dock and manage a flight of stairs. less

Want to share your memories with family and friends? You’ll be taken to the most photographed places in Halifax and its surroundings. This guided tour will give you insight into the Halifax and Peggy’s Cove areas. Make the most of your time in the city by seeing the most visited sites in this region all included in one tour. Picture stops include: The Halifax Public Gardens, Citadel Hill, Peggy’s Cove, the Titanic Gravesites, Historic Properties and The Halifax Seaport. less

Perched atop steep cliffs, Gaspe and Perce are breathtakingly beautiful, and the bus ride that joins the two cities is an unforgettable experience. As the bus winds slowly along the more than 62 miles (100 km) of rugged cliffs and past sweeping bays, travelers can admire the most extraordinary panoramas in Eastern Canada. The Bay of Gaspe, the cliffs of Forillon National Park, the Barachois de Malbaie (sandbar), the unique precipices along the coast in Perce and of course, its legendary rock, offer an unending feast for the eyes. This fascinating site has attracted visitors since the 1930s, when it became a popular cultural center. Artists were attracted and charmed by the colorful fishermen and the incredible beauty of the site. Over the years, Perce has acquired an enviable position within the tourism industry of the province of Quebec, being accurately described as the tourism capital of the Gaspesie region. With its magnificent landscapes and diverse activities, Perce lures ecotourism enthusiasts as well as admirers of art and culture. Perce and its surroundings inspire energy and wonder. Climb to strategic viewpoints and marvel at the surprising panoramas. Those interested in art and culture will be amazed by Perce’s vitality and diversity. Here, one may meet local artists and artisans or discover Perce’s rich historical and architectural heritage. Perce is an ideal place for shopping. Its many souvenir shops, art galleries and handicraft boutiques offer a wide variety of local and regional crafts and products, certain to inspire a multitude of gifts ideas. Note: At Perce, walking is at guest’s discretion on mainly flat surfaces. At the marina, must be able to walk approximately 100 yards (92 meters) from the tender dock and manage a flight of stairs. less

Discover the best the Saguenay has to offer as this tour combines the raw beauty of the fjord as can only be seen from the sea and Saguenay National Park. Board your vessel and enjoy a truly unique experience as you discover the natural beauty of the fjord from the sea! With huge cliff’s shaped by glaciers rising more than 1,150 feet and then dropping 900 feet deep in the shallow waters, this unforgettable cruise will take you Cape Trinity, the most impressive cliff in the fjord.Learn about the geological, biological and morphological development of the fjord as you glide by the impressive landscapes and towering cliffs.

Your journey will take you along the shores of Ste. Rose du Nord, the jewel of the Saguenay and one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Quebec. This charming little hamlet is nestled on the shores of the Saguenay River and surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Your cruise ends at the charming village of L’Anse St-Jean where you’ll have some free time to explore this little village. Board your transportation to continue your journey on land with photo opportunities at an old covered bridge shown on the $1000.00 Canadian bill and a stop at the National Park observation point.

Explore Gaspe, its surroundings and magnificent Forillon National Park. In the Micmac language, Gaspe means Land’s End. Gaspe is associated with the beginning of western history in North America; the cross that Jacques Cartier erected here in 1534 has made it the birthplace of Canada. The town is unique, covering 606 square miles (975 square km), with 93 miles (150 km) of coastline exposed to the sea! Wherever one is in Gaspe, water – either fresh or salty – is never far away. The deep, coastal indentation is the Bay of Gaspe – a magnificent body of water sheltered by the surrounding mountains. Edged by stretches of sandy or pebble beaches, the bay becomes the gathering place for swimmers, boaters and water-sports enthusiasts. A visit to Forillon National Park is sure to be a unique adventure. The tip of Forillon, which was declared a Canadian national park in order to preserve the wild beauty of its coast, reveals various geological formations and phenomena up to 450 million years old. Its majestic landscapes cover a 152 square mile (244 square km) area that is carved out of the sea, cliffs and mountains. Here, where the land joins the sea, are born pebble beaches, dizzying cliffs, small coves, rocky capes and fine sand beaches. The presence of ten different rock formations, colonies of seabirds and enigmatic Arctic-alpine plants give this park its unique character. The park also bears witness to an important cultural and historical heritage. The mark humans have left on the Forillon landscape speaks of how closely their lifestyle was attuned to the natural environment. In fact, 'Harmony between man, the land and the sea' was chosen as the theme that would guide promotional activities in the park precisely because of the significant natural and cultural characteristics inherent to Forillon. To the west of the village, you can explore Fort Peninsule, an old lookout and vestige of the Second World War. A little-known episode of the Second World War took place right in the Bay of Gaspe. Located in the northern area of Forillon National Park, Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse, erected in 1858, is one of the tallest beacons built by the Canadian Coast Guard in Quebec. Canada's tallest lighthouse, it soars 112 feet (34.1 meters) into the air. The Cap-Bon-Ami Sea Cliffs constitute the rock walls corresponding to the peak front and are located at the northern side of the Forillon Peninsula. Those escarpments are huge especially near the sea, from the end of the Cap-des-Rosiers plains to Forillon extremity. All of the littoral wall vary in heights and can go to 197 feet (180 meters) at the south-east of Cap-bon-Ami. Seabirds give the park a definite maritime feel. Each year, the spring migrations bring double-crested cormorant, black guillemot, black-legged kittiwake, gulls and razorbill, all attracted by suitable breeding sites and an abundance of food in the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Gaspe Bay. The sea cliffs of the Cap-bon-Ami area accommodate the park's largest gathering of birds during the breeding period, including thousands of black-legged kittiwakes. Designated a historic monument and a national historic site of Canada, the Manoir Le Boutillier was constructed around 1850 by John Le Boutillier, a leading cod merchant originally from Jersey (one of the Channel Islands). The lively tour introduces visitors to a facet of the regional heritage of the Gaspe Peninsula; the restored manor is as it was when John Le Boutillier occupied the house (1850-1860). Wrap up your tour with lunch at Centre Culturel Le Griffon, a unique cultural center with a maritime atmosphere. Located in a former authentic cold store built in 1942, The Centre Culturel Le Griffon houses a number of services for visitors including the Cafe de L'Anse, a historic exhibit on the time when cooperatives came into being, and an artists' studio. Note: Walking is on both flat and gravel surfaces with 1 1/2 flights of stairs at Le Boutillier Manor. Fort Peninsula and LeBoutiller Manor are not wheelchair accessible. less