Hire a boat with or without a skipper in Arcachon, France

with SamBoat. Choose from a wide selection of sailboats, motor boats, RIBs, catamarans, yachts and canal boats. We offer a huge range of boats to hire from 50€/day. With the best offers, SamBoat helps you to find the ideal yacht hire in France for the perfect vacation.

Renting a Boat in Arcachon

Arcachon is located in southwest France in the Gironde department along the Atlantic Ocean. 

The charm of the bay and its captivating landscapes will leave you in awe. The Arguin Bench, the typical “tchanqués” cabins of the Arcachon bay, Cap-Ferret, the mythical Bird Island or the majestic Pilat Dune, you will see some of the most captivating landscapes of the south of France.

At Arcachon bay, you will discover the local fishing and oyster farming practices that have kept their authenticity through decades. Bordered by wooded sand dunes, the bay offers calm waters, protected from the strong swells of the Atlantic Ocean, at much warmer and suitable temperatures for swimming and practising your favourite water activities. Only 50km away from Bordeaux, Arcachon is a very popular destination among the inhabitants of Bordeaux, who like to escape there for a day or a cosy weekend. A very popular destination to hire a boat in Saint-Martin-de-Ré that is the area. 

At the heart of the bay, equidistant from Arcachon and Cap Ferret, you will discover the famous Bird Island and its “tchanquées” cabins. The island offers about fifty huts spread in the heart of five small neighbourhoods. Arriving on the island, you will probably meet several boats at anchor. Although difficult to access and very preserved, Bird Island welcomes many visitors during the summer season because of its proximity to Arcachon and the popular boating area of Lege Cap-Ferret, two very popular seaside resorts.

The city of Arcachon also has many surprises to offer inland. With its beautiful green spaces, small restaurants and bars on the beach, and its lighthouse and dunes. You will also be amazed by the landscapes and activities that can be enjoyed in Arcachon. A few kilometres away from the city, you will have the opportunity to climb the highest sand dune in Europe: the Pilat dune. Located at the southern end of the bay, it stretches several hundred meters wide and several kilometres long. Extraordinary activities are waiting for you on top of the dune. Some will enjoy skiing or snowboarding, while others will prefer admiring the view from their paraglides, up in the air.

Whether you plan to go out at sea for a day or a few days, be sure to hire your ideal boat whether it is a classic sailboat or a motorboat. The Arcachon harbour is one of the largest harbours in the entire Aquitaine region, therefore you will have a wide hire choice of a private sail or motor boats available. This navigable area at the entrance of the ocean’s immensity will offer you wonders that will be even better to enjoy from your boat. It is a calm and soothing body of water where you will have a memorable time with your friends or family.

How much does it cost to hire a boat in Arcachon?

The cost of renting a boat in Arcachon depends on the season and the type of boat you like. Generally, expect to find the highest prices and most of the tourists during the high season from June to August. If you want to avoid the crowd, the weather is perfect for sailing from May to September. If you are planning to hire a boat in Arcachon, expect to pay around 100€/day for a sailboat.

You can also have a motor boat hire in Arcachon, as there is a huge selection of boats available in various sizes and price ranges. Generally, you can find a motor boat for around 70€/day. To find the perfect boat for your needs, plan your activities in advance. 

Do I need a license to hire a yacht in Arcachon? 

If you are planning to hire a boat in Arcachon, make sure you have all the necessary documentation. When you are renting a sailboat, it’s not obligatory to have a license with you, even if the experience is required. However, if you are planning a motorboat hire in Arcachon, you must have a coastal license, if the boat has more than 6 horsepower.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a license, as there is an option to hire a boat with a skipper. You just sit back and relax while enjoying the stunning coastline in Arcachon. 

Practical information

If you like sailing, you can get to Arcachon if you hire a boat in Brittany. Sail all the way to La Rochelle and then to the pretty town of Arcachon.