Arcachon Basin — Île aux Oiseaux
Bird Island · Île aux Oiseaux anchorage
44°39.9'N 001°09.4'W
Depth
1–4m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Excellent Holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
60m — N half anchorage only, HW approach. CRITICAL DRYING HAZARD: most of the island dries at LW springs. Oyster stakes immediately south — maintain clearance. Set a tidal depth alert.
About This Anchorage
Île aux Oiseaux ('Bird Island') sits in the heart of the Arcachon Basin — Europe's largest tidal lagoon (155km²) — and is one of the most extraordinary anchorages on the Atlantic coast of France. The island is famous for two iconic stilted fishermen's cabins (cabanes tchanquées) perched on timber legs that appear to float above the water at HW and stand on bare sand at LW. The island's name reflects its ornithological importance: it hosts vast colonies of migrating birds including oystercatchers, avocets, and egrets on the surrounding tidal flats. Anchoring is only possible on the N side at HW — the entire S portion of the island dries. From this anchorage, the spectacular Dune du Pilat (tallest sand dune in Europe at 106m) is clearly visible on the basin's S shore.
Protected From
N · NW · NE · E · W
Exposed To
S
Setting Your Anchor
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Permit required
- No
- Mooring buoys
- No
Restrictions: N half ONLY — S half dries at LW. Tidal range 4–5m — calculate LW depth carefully. Oyster farm exclusion zones (marked on SHOM 7426) surround the island — stay clear. Navigation in the Arcachon Basin ONLY in buoyed channels — straying off channel risks grounding.
Hazards
- !DRYING HAZARD: most of island dries at LW — anchor N half only; calculate depth at LW before setting hook
- !OYSTER FARMS: stakes pierce hulls — stay strictly within marked anchorage zone; never approach farms
- !BASIN CHANNELS: navigate ONLY in buoyed channels; vast areas outside channels dry at LW
- !ENTRANCE BAR (Passe Sud): breaking seas in W swell — do not attempt entrance in swell
Skipper's Tips
- →Arrive at HW+1 and set your anchor alarm immediately — the tide will fall 4–5m overnight.
- →The cabanes tchanquées (stilted huts) are the most-photographed sight in the Arcachon Basin — best light at sunrise from the anchorage.
- →Buy SHOM chart 7426 (Arcachon) before entering the basin — buoyed channel navigation is mandatory.
- →The Dune du Pilat is visible from the anchorage — walk it ashore via dinghy to Pyla-sur-Mer (3nm).
Facilities
Nearest provisions: Arcachon (4nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
May–September. Tidal planning essential for every move. Basin navigation requires SHOM chart and pilot book. Oyster farm awareness critical.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Sleep Peacefully at Arcachon Basin — Île aux Oiseaux
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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