# Union des Bateliers Arcachonnais (UBA)

Boat en Arcachon

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/companies/union-des-bateliers-arcachonnais

The boatmen of the Arcachon Bay: shuttles between Arcachon, Cap Ferret, Le Moulleau and Andernos, and commentated trips round the bay. They sell tickets at the Jetée Thiers in Arcachon and the Jetée Bélisaire at Cap Ferret.

## Who they are

The Union des Bateliers Arcachonnais was founded on 25 February 1937. It was created by seafarers, mostly fishermen and oyster farmers, who in summer supplemented their trade by taking visitors round the bay. Today it has 35 boats, from traditional pinasses, the typical wooden boat of the bay, to a 2014 catamaran, and in high season more than a hundred people work for it. It carries more than 500,000 passengers a year and renews its passenger transport licence every year. Eight of its boats already run on less polluting engines.

## Shuttles and excursions

The shuttles are the practical way to cross the bay without driving round it. They link Arcachon with Cap Ferret, Le Moulleau with Cap Ferret, Andernos with Arcachon and with Cap Ferret, and in season also go to the Banc d'Arguin and the Dune du Pilat beach. Between Arcachon and Cap Ferret, the Flex fare costs about €12.20 single and €19.40 return for an adult, and can be changed for free up to 15 minutes before departure.

The excursions come with commentary: the tour of the Île aux Oiseaux and the cabins on stilts, of about two hours, from €23.40; La Littorale, the great tour of the bay, of two and a half hours, from April to October, from €29.40; cruises with lunch from May to September, sunset sailings, fishing in the bay, an ocean cruise and boats to watch the summer fireworks. With the company Les Vélos du Bassin they sell boat-and-bike combinations for cycling the Cap Ferret peninsula.

## Dogs, bikes and accessibility

Dogs board on a lead for €2, except on lunch cruises, fishing, fireworks and trips to the dune and the Banc d'Arguin. Bikes travel on the shuttles for a supplement, also except to the dune and Arguin, and electric ones do not go to Le Moulleau; the battery and panniers must be removed. Pushchairs board free, although on full crossings they may ask for them to be folded. People with reduced mobility should call 72 hours ahead, because some landing stages and boats are not accessible, especially at low tide. Under-14s may not travel alone.

## Tickets, cancellation and languages

You book on its website, by phone on 05 57 72 28 28 or at its offices on the Jetée Thiers, in Arcachon, and the Jetée Bélisaire, at Cap Ferret. You must be at the landing stage 15 minutes beforehand; in school holidays, those without a ticket should go to an office early. On the shuttles, the Flex fare is cancelled free up to two working days before, and the standard one is not refundable. Excursions are cancelled at no cost up to four working days before. The website is in French and English and does not say in which languages the commentary on board is given, so it is best to ask when booking.

## What they run

- [Cycling Around the Bay](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/nouvelle-aquitaine/arcachon-bay/things-to-do/cycling-around-arcachon-bay), in Arcachon Bay. Arcachon – Cap Ferret shuttle with a bike. 30 min. From the Jetée Thiers in Arcachon to the Jetée Bélisaire at Cap Ferret. Admits unloaded bikes up to 25 kg; electric ones with the battery removed, and not those with an integrated battery
- [Boat to the Île aux Oiseaux and the Stilt Cabins](https://www.geocalia.com/en/france/nouvelle-aquitaine/arcachon-bay/things-to-do/ile-aux-oiseaux-boat-trip), in Arcachon Bay. Tour de l'Île aux Oiseaux, 2 h commentated trip. Desde 23.4 € per person. 2 h. Leaves from Arcachon (Thiers and Pierre Lataillade jetties), Cap Ferret (Bélisaire), Le Canon, Le Moulleau or Andernos. Passes the cabanes tchanquées and the oyster beds, seen at low tide. Dogs, €2; bikes not admitted. Balade vers l'Île aux Oiseaux, short trip from Arcachon. 1 h. Leaves from the Jetée Thiers or the Jetée Pierre Lataillade in Arcachon. Dogs, €2

Independent companies: you book with them, on their terms. Prices are as they publish them and may change.

## Practical details

- Phone: +33 5 57 72 28 28

## Contact

- Web: https://bateliers-arcachon.com/
- Coordenadas: 44.6625, -1.168

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Where are tickets bought?
On its website, by phone or at the offices on the Jetées Thiers (Arcachon) and Bélisaire (Cap Ferret).

### Can dogs board?
Yes, on a lead and for €2, except on some trips such as those to the dune and the Banc d'Arguin.

### How far ahead should you arrive?
At least 15 minutes before departure.