Perce Rock is one of the largest and most spectacular natural arches in the world. Its an island and sheer rock formation in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in Quebec, Canada. Famed for its extraordinary natural beauty, it is a popular tourist destination and is an important Bird Sanctuary. Bounded by sheer russet-colored cliffs, the rock is 1,420 feet (433 meters) long. From a height of 288 feet (88 meters) on the landward end, its top slopes down to 160 feet (49 meters) at the offshore end. The rock gets its name from a large 15 metre (50 ft) high arch near its seaward end.
Perce Rock does not stand alone. Just beyond it is a smaller rock, the Obelisk, also pierced by an arch. Standing still farther offshore is the much larger mass of Bonaventure Island. Bounded by cliffs 300 feet high, its top is virtually inaccessible to all but the seabirds that flock there to nest. Herring gulls and cormorants are the most numerous nesters on Perce Rock. And amoung the birds that swarm over Bonaventure Island is the largest colony of gannets in North America.
