Boat to the Île aux Oiseaux and the Stilt Cabins

What it is

The Île aux Oiseaux is the low island at the centre of the Arcachon bay, within the commune of La Teste-de-Buch. Its size depends on the tide: about 300 hectares at high tide and more than 3,000 at low tide. It is a refuge for migratory birds and is surrounded by oyster beds. Its image is the cabanes tchanquées, two wooden cabins on stilts; the name comes from the Gascon chanca, stilt. It has been a protected natural site since 2008.

The trips do not land on the island: you see it from the boat, on the commentated trips that have left from Arcachon and Cap Ferret since the early 20th century.

Who runs it

The Union des Bateliers Arcachonnais (UBA), the bay's boatmen's association, runs two trips to the island. It sells tickets online with instant confirmation, and at the jetée Thiers in Arcachon and the jetée Bélisaire in Cap Ferret.

• Le Tour de l'Île aux Oiseaux, about 2 hours with commentary, from €23.40 per person. It passes through the Mapouchet channel, beside the island and the cabanes tchanquées; goes through the oyster beds, about 100 hectares visible at low tide; skirts the oyster-farming villages of the Cap Ferret peninsula (Piquey, Le Canon, L'Herbe, La Vigne), with a view of the Dune du Pilat, and returns along the Arcachon seafront and its villas. It leaves from Arcachon (jetée Thiers or jetée Pierre Lataillade), Cap Ferret (jetée Bélisaire), Le Canon, Le Moulleau or Andernos (from 11 September 2026, at the Bétey port).
• La Balade vers l'Île aux Oiseaux, a one-hour commentated trip, leaves only from Arcachon (jetées Thiers and Pierre Lataillade). It goes to the island and the cabins through the oyster beds and returns along the seafront. It is the option if you are short of time or with small children.

Season and times

Times change with the season and the tide, and can be checked by date on the UBA website. In November 2026 the Tour was still running; the next Balade published was 19 December 2026. The UBA reserves the right to change trips, times and prices without notice.

How to book

Book online: you choose the trip, date, time and jetty, and receive the ticket on your phone or to print. The confirmation email gives you the exact boarding address. In summer, book days ahead.

With a dog, bike and wheelchair

• Dogs: admitted on board with a €2 supplement.
• Bikes: not admitted on the Tour.
• Wheelchair: boarding is possible at the jetée Thiers, Bélisaire, Le Canon and Andernos, but difficult at low tide; the UBA asks for 72 hours' notice to look into it.

When to go

At low tide the oyster beds are exposed and you understand how farming works in the bay; at high tide the island looks smaller and the cabins rise out of the water. Check the tide table when choosing a time. The late-afternoon light is the prettiest over the cabins.

What to bring

• A windcheater: on the bay the air is cool even in summer.
• Sunglasses and sun cream if you are on deck.
• Binoculars, if you like birds.

Combine it

From the jetée Thiers you are in the centre of Arcachon: go up afterwards to the Ville d'Hiver. If you leave from Cap Ferret, stay for lunch of oysters at the Cap Ferret cabins.