Bus de Mer to Dinard

What it is

The Bus de Mer is the passenger boat that crosses the Rance estuary between Saint-Malo and Dinard. It is run by the Compagnie Corsaire, the shipping company with its office at the Bourse maritime station. The crossing takes about ten minutes and saves you going round the estuary by road, about 18 km over the Rance dam bridge. On the crossing you see the walled city from the water, with the Grand Bé and the Fort National on one side, and Dinard's coast of villas on the other.

It works as transport, not as an excursion: there is no commentary on board and no fixed timetable to book. You buy the day ticket and board the boat that leaves.

Where to catch it

• In Saint-Malo: at the cale de Dinan, at the foot of the intra-muros ramparts, next to the Porte de Dinan. From the Grande Porte it is five minutes on foot.
• In Dinard: on the promenade du Clair de Lune, below the Grand Hôtel Barrière on the avenue George V; you go down the steps between the Le Dôme agency and the hotel. Some departures use the cale de la Vallée, about five minutes' walk away. The timetable leaflet says which landing stage corresponds to each departure: check it before returning.

Season and frequency

In 2026 the service runs daily from 28 March to 1 November, and also on 7, 8 and 11 to 15 November. The 2027 dates have not yet been published. The company speaks of very frequent departures; the Dinard tourist office puts them at around one every twenty minutes in season. The exact times for each period are in the leaflets that the Compagnie Corsaire posts on its website.

Outside those dates there is no boat: you go to Dinard by car or by the regular bus.

Prices

2026 prices per person. Between 4 July and 31 August, and from 20 October to 1 November, a slightly higher rate applies (period B), shown in brackets.

• Adult: €6.30 a trip (€6.60); €8.90 return (€9.30).
• Children aged 2 to 12: €4.50 a trip (€4.70); €6.30 return (€6.60).
• Under-2s: free.
• With a bike: €9.50 a trip for an adult and €14.20 return (€9.70 and €14.50 in period B).
• Pass for 20 crossings: €67 (€70 in period B), useful if you are staying in Dinard and cross daily.

How to buy the ticket

On the Compagnie Corsaire booking website you choose destination, departure port, date and one way or return. You do not choose a time: the ticket is valid for any departure that day. The company recommends buying it online to avoid queuing at the landing stage, which in July and August can be long mid-morning and late in the afternoon. For discounts and membership cards you have to call the office (02 23 18 24 60).

A half-day plan

Cross in the morning, stroll along the promenade du Clair de Lune and the coast of villas, have lunch in Dinard and return mid-afternoon. From the Dinard side you have the full view of the ramparts, which is the photo you cannot take from Saint-Malo. If you are with a bike, the boat lets you carry on along the coast on the other side of the Rance.

On your return, you are a couple of steps from the walk round the ramparts. If you arrive in Saint-Malo by car, leave it at the Paul Féval park and ride and go down to the centre by bus: there is no parking at the cale de Dinan.

With children, with a dog and in bad weather

With children it is a short, easy trip: ten minutes on the boat are enough for them to experience it as an excursion. With a pushchair, expect the steps at the Dinard landing stage. Dogs board with a €3 ticket, on a lead or in a basket, according to the company's FAQs. On wheelchair accessibility the crossing's website says nothing: ask by phone before going. In strong wind or a very rough sea departures may change; ask at the landing stage before crossing if the day is bad.