Le Boreal Travel Journal - Boston to Montreal 10-Day Cruise

By Linda Garrison, About.com Guide

Our visit to the gannet colony on Bonaventure Island left the ship via tender at 1:15. The sea was really rolling, and I was a little worried for those who are not so steady on their feet. When we reached the dock, we transferred to a sightseeing boat for the 15-minute journey to Bonaventure Island. We hiked over the island (2.6 K, or about 1.5 miles) to the other side where the bird colony is. The hike was on a well-trodden trail, but was mostly up hill for the first 3/4 of the distance. The hike was through a forest, so you couldn't see much other than trees and shrubs. They had porta-potties at the beginning, about half-way, and at the colony. It took us about 45 minutes to an hour to make the trek. This hike is not well suited for those who have problems walking or climbing hills.

The colony was as amazing as I remember it from when I had visited several years ago. Only about 60,000-65,000 gannets were on the cliffs (according to the guides) since many had already migrated. However, the cliffside was filled with birds, and we spent about 20 minutes watching them from several viewing stations or behind a fence. The island is crossed by several trails, but we didn't have time to do any exploring, returning the way we came.

We hiked back a little quicker (mostly downhill), arriving at the pier at 4:30 for the ride back to the pier and then back to Le Boreal via tender. They passed out sandwiches/apples/cake/bottled water for us to eat on the return (15-minute) trip. I was back on the ship by 5:15.

After a before dinner drink, we had an excellent lobster dinner, along with soup, salad, and roasted peach for dessert. The dinners have all been very good.

The show was supposed to feature the dancers performing many French dances (including the can can). However, the rolling seas caused them to postpone the show until the next evening. This suited me fine since my early morning shore excursion in Havre St. Pierre (on the north shore of the mouth of the St. Lawrence River) started at 7:15 aam!

Le Boreal New England and Atlantic Canada Cruise Travel Journal

1. Overview and Embarkation
2. Bar Harbor, Maine
3. Halifax, Nova Scotia
4. Halifax - Peggy's Cove
5. Louisbourg, Nova Scotia
6. Iles de la Madeleine, Quebec (Magdalen Islands) - Morning Tour
7. Iles de la Madeleine - Afternoon Tour
8. Perce, Quebec
9. Perce - Bonaventure Island
10. Havre St. Pierre, Quebec - Niapiskau Island
11. Havre St. Pierre, Quebec - Quarry Island
12. Tadoussac, Quebec
13. Saguenay, Quebec
14. Quebec City
15. Montreal and Disembarkation