Grand Colombier

Off Saint-Pierre's northern point, Grand Colombier serves as the archipelago's seabird capital: the steep islet hosts summer colonies at North Atlantic scale - Atlantic puffins whirring between burrows, razorbills and murres on the ledges, and one of the region's notable Leach's storm-petrel populations arriving after dark - all viewed from tour boats that circle beneath the cliffs without landing, the colonies' racket and fish-run traffic constituting the show. Whales and dolphins frequently audit the crossings, and the islet's green cap against grey cliff and fog makes the classic photograph. The island lies just north of Saint-Pierre and is visible from most of the town's northern shore.

History

The island has been noted for its large bird population since the 17th century, and its name comes from colombier, the French word for a dovecote; it remains a major breeding colony, above all of Leach's storm petrels (Wikipedia, Grand Colombier).

What's there

• The puffin traffic - whirring commuters at burrow height.
• The ledge colonies - razorbills and murres stacked on rock.
• The circling view - cliffs and racket from the zodiac.
• The channel cetaceans - whales auditing the crossing.

When to go

June to August is colony season; calm mornings ride best - fog is a native passenger and reschedules honestly.

Good to know

No landings - the islet belongs to the birds; zodiac swell and spray reward waterproofs. Fog cancellations are the archipelago's standing terms.

Nearby

Saint-Pierre's harbour and Ile aux Marins.

Key facts