How to discover the Arcachon Bassin… on the water?

Every six hours the tidal phenomenon changes the faces of Bassin and the ways we perceive it.

From dawn to dusk, from the Ile aux Oiseaux to the villages of the peninsula of Lège Cap-Ferret, attached to a group or the time of a privatized ride, all the possibilities are available to you to discover it, sometimes deserted of its waters or conversely covering the coast of all its extent.

Alone, with family or friends, during your seminars or your bachelorette parties, united in the quality of their service, each boat has specific features that meet your needs as closely as possible.

You will find in This article, the census by type of boat which can lead you to the heart of our small inland sea.

• SAILBOATS 

These sweet boats that inflate their sails with the tides and the wind offer atypical and sporty walks during which you can learn to technique and navigation.

beautiful sail boxes, managed by associations “ The Argo II " and " Escalation », « aunt sophie " and the " Pierre Mallet ", are a source of maritime pride and can take you on board but can only be used in an associative context.

Find our sailboat service providers here: BOAT

• TRADITIONAL BOATS 

By extension of the pinasses, there are other “classic boat” some of which can only be privatized. Mostly designed within shipyards in the region, they offer throughout the year a qprestigious quality of service; stopovers, tailor-made getaways, oysters on board, catering services…

1. The pinnaces

Only on privatization

The pinnace is at Bassin, what gondolas are in Venice ; iconic heritage, traditional and romantic boats.

Can carry jup to 15 people, these boats can be privatized, with or without a skipper, to navigation on the surface of the water or punctuate your walks with moments of swimming with friends.

Find our suppliers in pinasses here: PINASSES

2. Barges or “flats”

Only on privatization

These watercraft are diverted from their primary functions (for oyster farming for the transport of oysters), but allow, thanks to their flat bottom, to discover the Bassin in all its authenticity. Privatizable, ideal for sneaking into the channels of the Bassin.

Find our providers in barges: BARGES

• THE STARS

In premium mode...

If by definition the speedboats provide services to larger vessels, on the Bassin, these boats occupy other functions. Privatizable with skipper, several speedboats 12 to 15 people offer privileged moments ….

Combined with catering services and even yoga classes, they symbolize “true” luxury as much as serenity.

The little extra… they are equipped to be rented all year round!

Find our featured providers here: STARS

In group guided excursions mode…

The majority of launches, with 25, 50 or even 100 seats, offer year-round guided excursions around the Île aux Oiseaux (2 hours, be careful just the outline of the island), along the Cap Ferret peninsula to the gateways to the ocean… or even to watch the fireworks from the water.

… very often it is these same stars who provide maritime shuttles, also called “trans-basin”, between the Thiers (Arcachon), Bélisaire (Cap Ferret), Andernos and Moulleau jetties.

The latest, “the Passe Marée”, inspired by oyster barges, allows a crossing from Andernos to Arcachon.

Some stars also try fishing in the Bassin, over a period of 4 hours from June to September.

For the more adventurous, off the Bassin, tuna fishing trips are supervised by professional instructors, near the famous passes, it is also possible to hunt bass and meager in a spirit of conviviality, relaxation, and above all safety with fishing guides.

Find our passenger ship service providers here: PASSENGER SHIPS

• CATAMARANS

    Only from Arcachon and Cap Ferret piers

Smaller sizes up to 100 passengers, these boats double hulls never fail to impress boaters. From the commented walk to the meal cruise, to idleness on a net, on board, all formulas can be adapted so that everyone can find their place.

Find our catamaran service providers here: CATAMARANS

• BOAT-TAXIS

On reservation, theThe water taxis have an on-demand service, relaying passengers from one bank to another, from early morning until the middle of the night.

These shuttles, carrying groups or individuals, combine pleasure and time saving.

Find our water taxi service providers here: TAXI BOATS

• Without forgetting … our SMALL BOATS to sneak into the Leyre delta

The Eyre or Leyre is the coastal river that flows into the Bassin via the municipalities of Biganos and Teich... to get off the beaten track, there's nothing like an outing in a pinnace, an electric boat, a Canadian canoe, a collective canoe or even a galupe!

While enjoying a sunset with friends on the Leyre Delta, these small boats, departing from the port of Biganos or Teich, allow you to navigate independently without experience or license. Moments out of time, accessible to everyone….

Find our partners in slow mode here: SLOW TOURS

And to have your guide everywhere with you, download here.

© Philippe HEDELINE, Sébastien COTTEREAU, Private Captain, Grégory CASSIAU, Mélanny RODRIGUES, Farid MAKHLOUF, Of Men and Seas, Spirit Of Bassin, Union of Arcachon Boatmen, Le Passe Marée, Vent d'Arguin, Ti'bassin, Le Passant, Eric BOULOMIE, Bat'Express, Hello Water, Philippe LABEGUERIE