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At Avolo Plein Air, Jeffrey Samuel-Bond and his crack team lead guests on a series of sea kayak tours in and around Percé that are suitable for everyone from experienced outdoor adventurers to newbies who've never laid their hands on a paddle before. If you want to do the usual Percé Rock/Bonaventure Island route, you can, but Avolo's specialty is half-, full- and multi-day excursions along the coast of Pointe-Saint-Pierre, an off-the-beaten path district of northern Percé that's renowned for its wild and wonderful scenery. You'll pass under the wings of scores of squawking seabirds, say hello to seals and (if you're lucky) a whale or two, and marvel at the awesome sight of Indian Head Rock (le Tête d'Indien) as your guide educates you on the wide-ranging biodiversity of the region. If you don't quite trust your sea legs, Avolo also offers comprehensive lessons through the Quebec Federation of Canoeing and Kayaking (Fédération québécoise du canot et du kayak): one-day basic, two-day intermediate and four-day advanced courses are offered for $125, $225 and $500 respectively.
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Rocher Percé
This giant stone monolith is a natural wonder that, for travellers, has become almost synonymous with the Gaspé Peninsula itself. From a distance, they say Percé Rock looks like a ship under sail, but come a little closer and you'll see a 20-metre (66-foot) natural arch puncturing the rock through its base — hence its name, which translates to "pierced rock". A few metres (feet) outward from the main portion you'll see The Obelisk (L'Obélisque), a lone sea stack that used to be the base of a second arch, which collapsed after a small earthquake in 1845. Most people visit Percé Rock by boat. Prior to 2019, it was permissible to walk there from the shore at low tide; however in order to protect the nesting birds surrounding the rock, this is no longer allowed. The closest and best viewpoint of the rock from shore is from the cemetery directly across from it. If the booth is attended, there is a $2 charge, otherwise it is free.
Musée le Chafaud
The stunning scenery of the Percé area has inspired a boatload of landscape artists over the year, and their works are displayed at this museum on the ground floor of an old 19th-century waterfront warehouse once owned by the Charles Robin fishing company. Le Chafaud's permanent collection includes mostly paintings, but also some engravings, photographs, and pen-and-ink drawings. Travelling exhibitions are frequently hosted as well.
La Grotte
Its name isn't exactly accurate, but it's lovely all the same: this is not a grotto but a lovely little waterfall nestled in the niche between Mont Sainte-Anne and Mont Blanc, where a mountain stream tumbles over a wall of red rock into a shallow pool. All this takes place inside a semicircular natural amphitheatre where — in keeping with the history of these mountains as a Catholic pilgrimage site (see below) — statues of the Virgin Mary and other religious baubles abound.
This family-run business operates 3-hour whale-watching cruises in a large, comfortable ship: if you're prone to seasickness, this is the option for you. Website in French only.
Take your pick: two-and-a-half hour whale-watching cruises are offered in the comfort of the climate-controlled Capitaine Duval II, or you can charter a Zodiac for a more wet-and-wild, up-close-and-personal experience (waterproof gear is provided for your convenience). Knowledgeable bilingual staff.
It's a longer hike to Mont Blanc than either The Grotto or Mont Sainte-Anne, but it's worthwhile: the Sentier de la Crevasse trail takes you alongside a deep crevice in the side of the mountain which, at a height of some 300 m (1,000 feet) straight down, makes for a dizzying experience. Mont Blanc is a bit taller than Mont Sainte-Anne; its summit is accessible via a steep dirt track that begins at the end of sentier de la Crevasse and affords beautiful views over the Gaspesian coast north of Percé and out to the open ocean.