- Maximum length
- 20 m
- VHF channel
- 9
- Maximum draught
- 2.5 m
Marina of 2 600 berths at the south edge of the Arcachon basin in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the largest pleasure port on the French Atlantic coast.
Guide
Approach and anchoring
Enter the basin via the Passes, two shifting sandbank channels surveyed and marked seasonally by SHOM. The Passe Sud and Passe Nord move every few years, always consult the latest SHOM sand chart. Tidal currents in the passes reach 5 knots on springs, crossing advised at high water slack. Inside the basin the port entrance lies east of the Jetée Thiers. VHF 9. Max draught 2.5 m in the basin.
Practical
2 600 berths on nine pontoons. Diesel and petrol station. Water and electricity at all berths. Boatyard with 50 t and 27 t travel lifts. Capitainerie open 7 days a week in season.
Ashore
Plage d'Arcachon fronts the port to the west. Ville d'Hiver, a listed district of 300 villas built between 1862 and 1900, sits on the hill behind the port. Oyster farms of Cap Ferret and L'Herbe are reachable by ferry from Jetée Thiers. Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe at 106 m, lies 8 km south.
History
Arcachon was created as a commune in 1857 by imperial decree, detached from La Teste-de-Buch, after the Pereire brothers extended the railway and built the Ville d'Hiver for tuberculosis patients seeking pine-scented air.
Key facts
- Type
- Harbour
- Coordinates
- 44.65948, -1.14882 (44°39.57'N 1°8.93'W)
- Town
- Arcachon
- Country
- France
- Maximum draught
- 2.5 m
- Maximum length
- 20 m
- VHF channel
- 9
- Phone
- +33 5 56 22 36 86
- Boaters' rating
- 3.0/5
- Updated
- July 7, 2026
Getting there
Arcachon lies at 44°39.57'N 1°8.93'W, that is 44.65948, -1.14882 in decimal degrees. Call the harbour on VHF channel 9 before entering.
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Write a reviewFrequently asked questions
What boat length does Arcachon accept?
Arcachon accepts boats up to 20 m.
Which VHF channel for Arcachon?
Arcachon answers on VHF channel 9.
How do boaters rate Arcachon?
Arcachon is rated 3.0/5 by boaters on BoatMap.
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