France — Gironde & Charente-Maritime

Arcachon Town Anchorage

Arcachon basin anchorage · Arcachon roads

44°39.4'N 001°10.4'W

Depth

2–5m

Bottom

mud

Alarm Radius

65m

Holding

Excellent Holding

Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius

65m

65m on excellent mud. Best holding in the basin. FERRY WAKES: Arcachon–Cap Ferret ferries create significant wash — ensure anchor is well set. Tidal range 4–5m overnight.

About This Anchorage

The Arcachon town anchorage on the S shore of the Arcachon Basin is the most convenient base for exploring the basin and the town. Arcachon itself is a Victorian-era seaside resort with a remarkable collection of Belle Époque villas in the 'Ville d'Hiver' (Winter Town) quarter, set among pine trees on the hillside above the bay. The town offers excellent facilities: a large covered market (the Marché Couvert d'Arcachon), oyster bars and restaurants, and direct access to the basin's activities. The basin is France's most important oyster production area — the famous 'Huîtres du Bassin d'Arcachon' Appellation are served at oyster bars throughout the town.

Protected From

N · NW · NE · E · W

Exposed To

S

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: Oyster farm exclusion zones (SHOM 7426 mandatory). Ferry exclusion zone near the ferry terminal. Basin navigation in buoyed channels only. Speed limit 5kt near shore.

Hazards

  • !FERRY WAKES: Arcachon–Cap Ferret ferry runs every 30 min in season — significant wash; ensure anchor is firmly set
  • !TIDAL RANGE 4–5m: mud anchorage shoals considerably at LW; calculate remaining depth before anchoring at HW
  • !OYSTER FARMS: Arcachon is France's oyster capital — stakes everywhere except marked clear zones; SHOM chart essential
  • !DRYING SHOALS: Outside the clear anchorage zone, the basin dries extensively at LW — navigate buoyed channels only

Skipper's Tips

  • →The Ville d'Hiver (Winter Town) quarter of Arcachon has extraordinary Belle Époque architecture — a 30-min walk uphill from the waterfront.
  • →Arcachon covered market: best oysters, local wine, and charcuterie on the Atlantic coast.
  • →The basin is famous for windsurfing and kitesurfing — dozens of schools operate from the S shore beaches.

Facilities

✓ Water✓ Fuel✓ Restaurant✓ Provisions✗ WiFi

Arcachon has extensive restaurants, oyster bars, and a covered market. Fuel at Arcachon port de plaisance.

Nearest provisions: Arcachon (1nm)

Best Months & Season

May, June, July, August, September

May–September. Very busy July–August. Excellent provisioning base for Gironde/Charente cruising.

Recommended Anchor Types

SPADERocnaDeltaCQR

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 →

Cap Ferret — Basin Entrance Anchorage

2–6m · sand · 70m alarm

View guide →

Sleep Peacefully at Arcachon Town 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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