France — Gironde & Charente-Maritime

Cap Ferret — Basin Entrance Anchorage

Cap Ferret spit · Pointe du Cap Ferret

44°38.2'N 001°14.9'W

Depth

2–6m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

70m

Holding

Good Holding

Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius

70m

70m on sand/mud. CHANNEL PROXIMITY: buoyed navigation channel runs within 100m — stay anchored; maintain anchor alarm. Tidal range 4–5m. Oyster stakes on both sides — use SHOM chart.

About This Anchorage

Cap Ferret is the long sandy spit that forms the ocean entrance to the Arcachon Basin — a narrow finger of sand between the Atlantic and the inner basin. The village of Cap Ferret is one of the most stylish and sought-after destinations on the Atlantic coast, known for its oyster shacks (serving fresh oysters with local white wine from nearby Bordeaux vineyards), its art galleries, and its relaxed Bordelais summering culture. Anchoring is on the E (basin) side of the spit, in the narrow zone between the navigation channel and the oyster farms. The famous Passe Sud entrance bar lies 3nm to the S — always confirm swell conditions before approaching.

Protected From

N · NW · W · SW

Exposed To

E · NE

Setting Your Anchor

!Tidal depth planning: Tidal range in this region is 4–5m on spring tides. Always calculate your depth at LW before anchoring — anchor in at least 3m at LW to ensure you remain afloat throughout the tidal cycle.
!Oyster stake avoidance: This region is France's primary oyster production area. Oyster stakes pierce hulls — stay strictly within marked clear zones. SHOM chart 7426 (Arcachon Basin) or appropriate chart shows all farm boundaries. When in doubt, do not anchor.
iMud holding notes: Mud bottom in this anchorage provides excellent holding — modern anchors (SPADE, Rocna) set quickly and hold firmly. Use 5:1 scope minimum; 7:1 in strong tidal current. Let the anchor set before leaving the boat.

Anchoring Rules

Anchoring fee
Free
Permit required
No
Mooring buoys
No

Restrictions: Navigation channel proximity — maintain clearance; fast ferries transit the channel. Oyster farm exclusion zones both sides of spit (SHOM 7426). Tidal range 4–5m — check LW depth. Basin navigation in buoyed channels only.

Hazards

  • !NAVIGATION CHANNEL: buoyed Passe Sud channel runs close by — anchor does not block channel but maintain anchor watch
  • !OYSTER FARMS: stakes on both sides of anchorage zone — stay strictly within clear zone shown on SHOM 7426
  • !TIDAL RANGE 4–5m: calculate LW depth before anchoring; do not anchor in less than 3m at HW
  • !ENTRANCE BAR (Passe Sud, 3nm S): dangerous in W swell — always check bay of biscay swell forecast

Skipper's Tips

  • →Row ashore to the Cap Ferret oyster shacks — order a dozen oysters with muscadet; this is an unmissable French Atlantic experience.
  • →Cap Ferret village has excellent restaurants, galleries, and bakeries — worth a half-day ashore.
  • →The ocean beach on the W side of the spit is one of the finest Atlantic surf beaches in France.

Facilities

✗ Water✗ Fuel✓ Restaurant✓ Provisions✗ WiFi

Oyster shacks (cabanes ostréicoles) on the Cap Ferret spit serve fresh oysters and local wine — one of the iconic eating experiences of the Atlantic coast.

Nearest provisions: Cap Ferret village (0.5nm)

Best Months & Season

May, June, July, August, September

May–September. Very popular in July–August — arrive early to find a clear spot. Tidal planning essential.

Recommended Anchor Types

SPADERocnaDelta

Nearby Anchorages

Arcachon Basin — Île aux Oiseaux

1–4m · mud · 60m alarm

View guide →

Arcachon Basin — Banc d'Arguin

2–5m · sand · 70m alarm

View guide →

Arcachon Town Anchorage

2–5m · mud · 65m alarm

View guide →

Sleep Peacefully at Cap Ferret — Basin Entrance Anchorage

With a 4–5m tidal change overnight and tidal current in the Gironde & Charente-Maritime, your boat's position and swinging circle change significantly through the night. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — so a dragging anchor or unexpected current sets off the alarm before you drift into trouble.

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