France — Gironde & Charente-Maritime

Arcachon Basin — Banc d'Arguin

Banc d'Arguin · Dune du Pilat anchorage

44°34.3'N 001°14.6'W

Depth

2–5m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

70m

Holding

Good Holding

Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius

70m

70m on sand — NE side only, calm conditions. TEMPORARY anchorage — open to swell from W/SW through the Passe Sud. Do not stay overnight in unsettled weather. Tidal range 4–5m.

About This Anchorage

The Banc d'Arguin is a large protected sandbank at the entrance to the Arcachon Basin, classified as a Réserve Naturelle Nationale and one of the most important seabird and wader nesting sites on France's Atlantic coast. It forms part of the same remarkable landscape as the Dune du Pilat — Europe's tallest sand dune (106m) — which dominates the skyline 3nm to the NE. The banc is in constant movement, reshaped by Atlantic swell and tidal currents — the Passe Sud entrance channel shifts position significantly and SHOM charts must be current. In calm weather, anchoring off the NE side provides a unique experience: the sandbank at half-tide with its bird colonies and the great dune behind makes for one of the most memorable scenes on the French Atlantic coast.

Protected From

N · NE · E

Exposed To

W · SW · 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: Sand bottom here provides good holding — set anchor firmly and test with moderate reverse before leaving the boat. Use 5:1 scope minimum; increase in current.

Anchoring Rules

Anchoring fee
Free
Permit required
No
Mooring buoys
No

Restrictions: No landing on the banc April–August (nesting season). Temporary anchorage — open to swell. Entrance bar (Passe Sud) is dangerous in W swell — confirm swell forecast before approach. SHOM 7426 mandatory — channel positions change.

Hazards

  • !ENTRANCE BAR (Passe Sud): breaking seas in W swell — many accidents here; confirm swell is calm before approach
  • !SHIFTING CHANNEL: Passe Sud channel shifts regularly — buy current SHOM 7426 or use latest electronic chart with updates
  • !EXPOSED TO SWELL: open to W/SW — temporary anchorage only; leave if any swell develops
  • !BIRD RESERVE: no landing April–August; approach quietly; engine off when near the banc

Skipper's Tips

  • →Best visited in May or September when swell is typically lower and crowds are absent.
  • →The Dune du Pilat (3nm NE) is accessible via Pyla-sur-Mer — the dune walk is spectacular and free.
  • →Time your approach to arrive at HW+1 for maximum depth over the bar (Passe Sud).

Facilities

✗ Water✗ Fuel✗ Restaurant✗ Provisions✗ WiFi

Nearest provisions: Arcachon (6nm)

Best Months & Season

May, June, July, August, September

May–September. Calm conditions only — check swell forecast for Bay of Biscay. Temporary anchorage; do not stay overnight in uncertain weather.

Recommended Anchor Types

SPADERocnaDelta

Nearby Anchorages

Arcachon Basin — Île aux Oiseaux

1–4m · mud · 60m alarm

View guide →

Cap Ferret — Basin Entrance Anchorage

2–6m · sand · 70m alarm

View guide →

Arcachon Town Anchorage

2–5m · mud · 65m alarm

View guide →

Sleep Peacefully at Arcachon Basin — Banc d'Arguin

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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