Arcachon Bay, Île aux Oiseaux, Banc d’Arguin, Dune of Pilat: make the most of your comfortable stay at the campsite in La Teste-de-Buch to explore the Landes and Gironde coastline by boat from Arcachon.
What to See off the Coast of Arcachon?
Renowned for its beautiful villas, bay, and oysters, Arcachon is the perfect starting point for a boat trip between the Landes and Gironde regions. This part of the Atlantic coastline offers significant natural, ecological, and cultural interest. While venturing into Arcachon Bay by boat, you can quickly reach the oyster farms, circle the Île aux Oiseaux with its unique "cabanes tchanquées," and head towards Cap-Ferret. Some providers also offer boat trips beyond the Bay, mainly towards Banc d’Arguin and the Dune of Pilat. Seen from the ocean, Europe’s highest dune is even more impressive. Several daily boat shuttles connect Arcachon to Cap-Ferret in 30 minutes, departing from the Thiers jetty (crossing fare: €9 in the low season, subject to increase in the high season). During summer, a boat taxi is the only way to reach Le Moulleau, Le Canon, or Andernos-les-Bains from Arcachon.
Boat Excursions from Arcachon
Visitors have several options for enjoying a boat excursion from Arcachon. The duration of the trips ranges from 1 hour to a full day, depending on the destinations and packages. For an authentic experience, consider boarding the local traditional boat, the pinasse. Alternatively, you can opt for a sailing boat, catamaran, flat-bottomed chaland, or a luxurious, fully equipped vessel.
Main providers offering boat trips from Arcachon include:
- Au Gré des Marées: Cruises in an 11-meter-long pinasse (10 seats) equipped with deck chairs and a swimming ladder. Several packages are available: Île aux Oiseaux and cabanes tchanquées (2 hours, €270), Cap Ferret and Pilat Dune (3 hours, €370), Banc d’Arguin (5 hours, around €570). Custom excursions are also available.
- Entre Deux Events: Trips in a pinasse or a chaland with optional services such as meals, aperitifs, cultural visits, explorations of protected natural areas, and sports activities.
- Spirit of Bassin: Cruise and shuttle services around the Arcachon Basin in a heated and enclosed boat. Mainly tours of the Île aux Oiseaux. Private boat hire is available for a 2-hour cruise starting at €250 for two people.
- Union des Bateliers: A wide range of guided tours in a catamaran to the Île aux Oiseaux and Côte d’Argent, along with specific packages like meal cruises, sunset trips, and oyster farm visits.
Routes departing from Arcachon in Gironde
- Tour of the Île aux Oiseaux: Approx. 2-hour boat trip departing from Arcachon.
- Arcachon to Cap Ferret: 30-minute crossing.
- Sunset trip on the Arcachon Basin: Approx. 1h15 of maritime crossing.
- Cruise with included meals: Approx. 2h30 trip.
- Fishing boat excursion on the Arcachon Basin: Approx. 4-hour trip.