Yak'Ocean canoe kayak rental arcachon
Reservation
Yak'Ocean canoe kayak rental arcachon

Discover Île aux Oiseaux and the cabanes tchanquées by canoe-kayak

At the heart of the Bay of Arcachon, Île aux Oiseaux and its famous cabanes tchanquées are among the most emblematic landscapes in the region. With Yak’Ocean, discover this site in a different way: from the water, on a supervised canoe-kayak tour, following the rhythm of the tides and respecting this fragile natural site.

Les cabanes tchanquées

Emblematic silhouettes of the Bassin d’Arcachon, the cabanes tchanquées are among the most striking images on Île aux Oiseaux. Standing on stilts, they tell the story of the area’s maritime and oyster farming history.

A living natural site

Birds, salt meadows, wetlands, changing light: the Île aux Oiseaux is a sensitive natural environment, where you can observe the Basin at its most lively and fragile.

A deeply local identity

Between oyster-farming traditions, huts, navigation, tides and uses of the Basin, Île aux Oiseaux embodies an essential part of Arcachon’s identity. It’s more than just a setting: it’s a place steeped in history and tradition.
Discover our outing to Bird Island

L'Île aux Oiseaux, a symbol of the Arcachon Basin to discover in a different way

Île aux Oiseaux intrigues as much as it attracts. Set in the middle of the Bay of Arcachon, it’s famous for its two “cabanes tchanquées”, silhouettes on stilts that have become one of the area’s strongest images.

But this site is not like a beach or a tourist village. Île aux Oiseaux is a special place, dependent on the tides, access, oyster farming practices and the preservation of the natural environment. This is precisely what makes the experience from the water so interesting.

When canoeing, you don’t come to “consume” the scenery. You take the time to get close to the landscape, to understand the rhythm of the Bassin, to observe the huts, the oyster beds, the birds and the tidal variations in light.

With Yak’Ocean, this hike is supervised so that you can experience this discovery in the best possible conditions, without having to improvise an itinerary on your own in an area where weather, currents and tide times really count.

they trust us

A canoe-kayak trip to see the cabanes tchanquées in a different light

Beyond the scenery, it’s often the same things that come up in the reviews: the beauty of the Bassin from the water, the approach to the cabanes tchanquées, the quality of the supervision and the pleasure of experiencing a calm, accessible and exotic outing. This feedback makes it easier to plan ahead before booking your hike to Île aux Oiseaux.
Sea excursion to bird island and the cabanes tchanquées with Alix. It was perfect, very well organized, a great time! Thanks again.

Morgane Jaffres

Incredible kayaking experience that delighted the whole family! Our trip to Bird Island was made unforgettable by Alix M.J. and her teaching skills. Super friendly and always smiling, she taught us a lot of interesting information about the fauna, flora and history of the Arcachon Basin (including a sublime sketch that will go down in history). Thank you to the whole team for organizing this magnificent tour. We’ll be back and we recommend it 100%!

Samuel CHALEIL-SOULLAMY

We chose the 10 km kayak trip across the Arcachon Basin. It was a first for us as a family with 1 7-year-old child. A superb experience that I’d recommend to anyone. Special mention to our guide, who made us feel at ease and taught us a lot about this beautiful region. A must-do!

Pascaline Bourgeois

Great kayak trip to bird island and the cabanes tchanquées, with Alix! Top++ I recommend….

Mathilde VERGNE

Superb canoe trip on the Arcachon basin: the bird island is magnificent and we had perfect weather! Thanks again Maxime for your welcome, your advice and your kindness! We’d love to do it again!

Marie Ron

We did the kayak trip to Ile des oiseaux and the cabanes tchanquees and it was a great experience! Lionel made us discover the Bassin d’Arcachon on the water showing us some very soothing places. Thanks again for this incredible trip!!🚣🤩

Sylvia Diez

The proposed activity

A kayak trip to Île aux Oiseaux

To discover the cabanes tchanquées in a different way, Yak’Ocean offers a supervised canoe-kayak trip departing from the Bay of Arcachon. The outing is organized according to the tides, for a gentle, immersive approach adapted to the level of the group.

01.
kayak tour

Take off on a canoe-kayak trip with a qualified instructor, heading for Île aux oiseaux and the cabanes tchanquées. From the water, it’s a more immersive experience, as you follow the rhythm of the tides, up close to the landscape, between channels, oyster beds and birds.

This outing allows you to discover an emblematic site, and Yak’Ocean adapts the route to the level of the group to offer an accessible, fluid hike that respects the site.

Duration: 4h00
Price: 45€/pers.

Discover our tour
Canoeing to bird island and cabanes tchanquées

3 reasons to choose Yak'Ocean for

Discover Île aux Oiseaux at your own pace

Île aux Oiseaux is a special place on the Bay of Arcachon. Here, everything depends on the tides, the light, the channels and the conditions of the day.

This is precisely what makes the outing so interesting. Depending on the moment you choose, the landscape changes completely: the cabanes tchanquées come closer, the oyster beds take shape, the sandbanks appear and the Bassin reveals a different facet.

With Yak’Ocean, you’ll enjoy a supervised discovery of the Bassin from the water. The itinerary is designed to offer you the best possible experience according to tide, weather and group level, while respecting this fragile, emblematic site.

A tidal route

The outing is tailored to actual conditions in the Basin, not to a fixed schedule disconnected from the terrain.

Reassuring support

Briefing, instructions, accompaniment on the water: you enjoy the outing without having to manage the itinerary and unforeseen events on your own.

A respectful approach to the site

The aim is to discover the cabanes tchanquées and Île aux Oiseaux without disturbing the balance of the site.

Practical questions

Prepare your discovery of Île aux Oiseaux

Would you like to discover Île aux Oiseaux and the cabanes tchanquées from the Bassin? Here you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions before booking: access to the site, approach to the huts, tidal departure times, hike schedule, safety, level of experience required and equipment provided.

The tour is not a free visit of the Île aux Oiseaux: it’s a protected site, belonging to the public maritime domain, with access rules to be respected. Yak’Ocean offers a supervised canoe/kayak tour from the water to observe the cabanes tchanquées, the landscapes of the Bassin and navigation along the channels.

With a tide-dependent departure, navigation is carried out at the best time, allowing the most suitable approach. At high tide, the hike often allows you to approach the cabanes tchanquées by water, sometimes right up to their feet. At low tide, the approach is different: the kayaks can be parked nearby, and the group can then reach the cabins on foot, conditions permitting.

In all cases, Yak’Ocean adapts the route to the tide, the weather, the level of the group and respect for the site.

Canoeing offers a more immersive, calmer and more respectful approach to the site than a traditional visit from the coast or by motorboat. You move along at water level, to the rhythm of the Bassin, with no engine noise: just the movement of the paddles, the lapping of the water and the sensation of being fully part of the landscape.

Depending on the tides and daylight conditions, this gentle navigation also allows you to get up close to the cabanes tchanquées, sometimes in areas less accessible to motorboats. The experience is slower, quieter and more lively: you don’t simply look at the cabins from the outside, you discover them from the Bassin itself.

Not necessarily. The hike is supervised by an instructor, with a briefing, clear instructions and support throughout the outing to ensure a high level of safety.

Feasibility depends above all on the age of the children, their ease in the water, the weather, the planned duration and the overall level of the group. Yak’Ocean advises you in advance and validates the outing on a case-by-case basis.

Departing from Arcachon, the kayak trip to Île aux Oiseaux lasts around 4 hours and is done in single or double kayaks, depending on the composition of the group. Departure is organized according to the tides, so as to choose the best time to navigate the Bassin and enjoy a water-based approach to the cabanes tchanquées.

Accompanied by a professional, you will receive safety instructions. The qualified guide adapts the route to the day’s conditions. Material and equipment are provided on site: kayak, paddle, life jacket, waterproof can or bag and all other necessary items.

Starting at €40/person, this Île aux Oiseaux tour offers an accessible, supervised and often unforgettable kayaking experience on the Bassin.

If conditions don’t allow for a pleasant or safe outing, Yak’Ocean will work with you to adapt, postpone or propose an alternative, depending on possibilities.

Send us your request, including the desired period, number of participants and group profile. Yak’Ocean will get back to you with a suitable proposal within 48 hours.

Would you like to see the cabanes tchanquées in a different light?

The Île aux Oiseaux is one of the most emblematic sites on the Bay of Arcachon. But to really get a feel for the landscape, there’s no substitute for discovering it from the water.

With Yak’Ocean, set off on a supervised canoe-kayak tour of this unique area, following the rhythm of the tides and respecting the site.

Need additional information