Cap Ferret and activities to do in the Arcachon Bay:
Located less than an hour from Bordeaux, the Arcachon Bay is famous for its Pilat dune, 102m high, attracts more and more visitors from all over the world to discover its exceptional landscapes, and offers activities throughout the year.
Cap Ferret located at the tip of the Arcachon Bay is known for its natural beauty, its beaches and its fishing. Since the film “Little Handkerchiefs”, public enthusiasm for this exceptional site has continued to increase.
It is an increasingly popular tourist destination, with many hotels, restaurants, second homes of celebrities, particularly in the 44 hectare protected area.
It is very pleasant to ride a bike on the cycle paths set out among the pine trees. You can easily organize a bike ride to visit Cap Ferret and its surroundings; there are many bike and electric scooter rental stores. For example, in the same day you can easily visit the Cap Ferret lighthouse, tour its point, visit the 44 hectares, its beaches, and go and taste oysters while discovering the sumptuous oyster village of L'Herbe.
To get to Cap Ferret and want to enhance your outing with a boat trip, many maritime shuttles circulate in the Basin at regular times, particularly between Arcachon and Cap Ferret. You will save a lot of time, avoiding the often congested road traffic during weekends and holidays. For more information, do not hesitate to contact theUnion of Arcachonnais Boatmen.
In terms of sporting activities, the Basin offers numerous possibilities. If you are passionate about diving, different structures offer outings, mainly off Gaillouneys beach, where there is wildlife that has invaded the submerged bunkers of the Atlantic Wall; and in the Cap Ferret area where you can admire seahorses.
If you prefer an activity on the water, you can do all the activities possible and imaginable such as surfing, paddle, kitesurf, jet ski, canoe, tubing, water skiing, wakeboarding, fishing at sea, etc.
If, on the other hand, you are more aerial and you want discover the pool in another way, I advise you to make a paragliding 1st flight on the Pilat dune, the flagship activity on this unique and exceptional site. You can admire Cap Ferret, the Banc d'Arguin, and of course the Dune from the sky. Also first flights, microlights, gliders and parachute jumps are possible at the Teste-De-Buch and Biscarrosse airfields.
In addition, other activities are possible, such as tree climbing, karting, quad biking, paintball, yoga, etc. I am sure that you will find what you are looking for among the multitude of choices offered to you.
If you are not very sporty and prefer more cultural outings, such as visits to tourist places, there are different places to discover. I advise you to go and discover Arcachon, an English-style seaside resort and its Winter Town district, on the heights, where you will discover magnificent 19th century villas and the Sainte-Cécile Observatory, a 25m high metal tower, which offers a panorama of the Arcachon bay.
Discovering the basin by sea is also possible, with different boat tours, where you can discover in particular the bird islands with its tchanquée cabins, and the Banc d'Arguin with its nature reserve and its oyster parks.
For nature lovers, you can stroll in different places, such as the trails of the Prés Salés d'Arès-Lège, the area of Cadeau and Graveyron, the Teich ornithological reserve, or the Leyre Delta. You can discover the local fauna and flora there. For those looking for more exoticism, and who are more urban, I advise you to discover the La Teste-de-Buch Zoo.
For enthusiasts of the aviation world and its history, you will have to go to the Biscarrosse village sector, the cradle of the airmail, where the international gathering of seaplanes takes place, and where you can visit the seaplane museum and the former Latécoère base where Air France created its first lines and regular flights to New York or South America. For the more curious, you can discover the aeronautical village of Les Lacs, located at the Biscarrosse aerodrome.
In terms of gastronomy, you will also be served, between seafood and South-West products. Different restaurateurs will introduce you to these mixtures of flavors and local specialties.
As you can see the Arcachon Bay and its surroundings offer a multitude of experiences, outings and activities to do, so don't hesitate to discover our region during a weekend or vacation.
