Gaspé Peninsula
Go to Québec's eastern tip for Percé Rock, a northern gannet colony on Bonaventure Island and the trails of Forillon National Park. The sights sit far apart, so plan several days.
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The Gaspé Peninsula sits at the eastern end of Québec, reaching into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Most visitors come for Percé Rock, a limestone formation standing off the village of Percé. A boat ride from Percé reaches Bonaventure Island, where northern gannets nest in the warmer months. At the peninsula's tip, Forillon National Park offers coastal cliffs, forest and hiking trails. The coast road passes small fishing villages along the way.
The sights are spread along the coast, so a car is the practical way to get around. Plan at least several days, with a night in Percé or Gaspé so boat trips and park trails do not feel rushed. Allow a full day for Forillon if you plan to hike. Summer is the main season for boat tours and park services, and July and August draw the most visitors, so book beds early.
Gaspé Peninsula in five
- See the gannets from May 31 to October 12Sépaq lists access to the 116,000-strong gannet colony from May 31 to October 12, 2026. Boats run from Percé, and their price does not include park access.Sépaq Bonaventure
- Walk Bonaventure Island's four trailsSépaq lists four trails totaling 15 km, open depending on weather. The island is accessible only by boat, so plan around the sailing times and the tide.
- Use Forillon's season-based feesForillon lists adult daily admission at $10.00 from June 25 to September 1, 2026, and $7.25 in the shoulder periods. Youth 17 and under are free.Parks Canada fees
- Allow four to five days for the loopTowns sit far apart on the coast road. Start with Québec City by car, or check regional flights into Gaspé to save a day.Québec City
- Go between late spring and early fallForillon's season passes run May 30 to October 13, 2026, and Bonaventure access ends October 12. Winters are cold and most seasonal sights close.
Things to do in Gaspé Peninsula
See all attractions in Gaspé Peninsula
Need to know
- Airport
- Gaspé (YGP) regional; Québec City (YQB) is the main gateway
- Getting there
- A long drive from Québec City, or a regional flight
- Getting around
- A car is essential; boats reach Bonaventure Island
- Best base
- Percé for the rock and island; Forillon for the park
- Time needed
- 4 to 5 days for the peninsula loop
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCloudy11 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh-5°Low-12°Cold, snowJanuaryCloudy
Poor
- High
- -5°
- Low
- -12°
- Precipitation
- 108 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- FebruaryCloudy10 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-5°Low-13°Cold, snowFebruaryCloudy
Poor
- High
- -5°
- Low
- -13°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchSnow13 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-8°Cold, closed sightsMarchSnow
Poor
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 8
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, closed sights
- AprilRain12 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh5°Low-2°Cool, quietAprilRain
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low4°Cool, parks openMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, parks open
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Mild, long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Warm, peakJulyRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, peak
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Warm, peakAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, peak
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Fewer crowdsSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fewer crowds
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Fall colors, closingOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall colors, closing
- NovemberRain13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh4°Low-1°Cool, quietNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 162 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- DecemberCloudy12 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-7°Cold, snowDecemberCloudy
Poor
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -7°
- Precipitation
- 139 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Gaspé, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Gaspé Peninsula
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 63%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 1%
Gaspé Peninsula
04:59 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°1°1%Monday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Tue4°-5°3%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 4°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed6°-1°79%Wednesday: Snow. High 6°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Thu11°5°28%Thursday: Fog. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Fri17°10°36%Friday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 36%.
- Sat14°7°57%Saturday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Sun8°5°64%Sunday: Rain. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 64%.
Updated 03:40 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Percé Rock and Bonaventure Islanda boat from PercéThe gannet colony and the hiking trails; buy park access in addition to the boat.
- Forillon National Parkat the tip of the peninsulaA coastal park with trails and a pool; seasonal fees apply.
- Québec Citythe start of the drive eastFly or train in, then collect a car for the coast road.Read the guide
Before you go to Gaspé Peninsula
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Gaspé Peninsula, checked
- Bonaventure Island gannets: access May 31 to October 12, 2026; boat prices from Percé do not include park access; four trails total 15 km.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Forillon National Park: adult daily admission $10.00 from June 25 to September 1, 2026; $7.25 in shoulder periods; youth free.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Gaspé Peninsula
The usual start for the drive east
Read the guideMontréalWhere many international flights land
Read the guideNova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEIContinue the loop into the Maritimes
Read the guideAll of CanadaeTA, regions, cities and money basics
Read the guideGetting around CanadaCar hire, trains and long distances
Read the guideGaspé Peninsula FAQ
How many days do you need for the Gaspé Peninsula?
Four or five days for the loop with stops at Forillon, Percé and Bonaventure Island. Three is possible for just Percé and Forillon, but the driving dominates.
When can you see the gannets on Bonaventure Island?
Sépaq lists access from May 31 to October 12, 2026, with trails open depending on weather. Check the next season's dates before you book boats.
Do you need to pay park fees on top of the Bonaventure boat?
Yes. Sépaq says boat trips offered by private companies do not include right of access to the park, so budget for the boat and the park entry separately.
Is Forillon National Park free?
No. Parks Canada lists adult daily admission at $10.00 in peak season and $7.25 in shoulder periods in 2026. Youth 17 and under enter free.
What is the best time to visit the Gaspé?
July to September: sights and boats run, and the weather is warmest. September is quieter, and parks close in mid October.