- Shelter
- N, SW, W, NW
- Seabed
- sand
- Anchoring
- Allowed
Sand anchorage on the eastern edge of the Banc d'Arguin, a shifting sandbank at the mouth of the bassin d'Arcachon, opposite the Dune du Pilat.
- Beach
Guide
Approach and anchoring
Sand bottom. Shelter from N, NW, W and SW winds, exposed to the E through SE. The passes into Arcachon move every year with the swell and must be crossed on the flood at slack water using the latest updated buoyage. Breakers on the western edge in any Atlantic swell.
Ashore
The bank is a national nature reserve created in 1972, with landing restricted to signposted zones. Colony of sandwich terns nesting from April to July. Dune du Pilat, Europe's tallest coastal dune at 102 metres, lies on the mainland shore facing the anchorage.
History
The Banc d'Arguin took its name in 1801 from the shipwreck of the frigate Méduse survivors, whose raft was bound for the original Arguin off Mauritania. The painting by Géricault dates from the same episode.
Key facts
- Type
- Anchorage
- Coordinates
- 44.57302, -1.24918 (44°34.38'N 1°14.95'W)
- Country
- France
- Shelter
- Sheltered from north, south-west, west, north-west winds
- Seabed
- sand
- Anchoring
- Allowed
- Services
- Beach
- Boaters' rating
- 4.8/5
- Updated
- July 7, 2026
Getting there
Banc d'Arguin lies at 44°34.38'N 1°14.95'W, that is 44.57302, -1.24918 in decimal degrees.
Boaters' reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience of Banc d'Arguin.
Write a reviewFrequently asked questions
Which winds is Banc d'Arguin sheltered from?
Banc d'Arguin is sheltered from north, south-west, west, north-west winds.
Can you anchor at Banc d'Arguin?
Yes, anchoring is allowed at Banc d'Arguin.
How do boaters rate Banc d'Arguin?
Banc d'Arguin is rated 4.8/5 by boaters on BoatMap.
Explore the region
Nearby cities
L'app de navigation bateau, gratuite
Cartes marines officielles, météo marine, GPS et 50 000+ ports et mouillages avec avis. Tout en une seule app, prête à embarquer.
