This dive site, known as Le remorqueur or "Remorqueur Arcachon", features the wreck of a former tugboat. While the site's maximum reported depth is 17 meters, the wreck itself lies deeper, between 18 and 25 meters, creating a distinct experience. The site is primarily a wreck dive, offering exploration opportunities around the sunken vessel which acts as an artificial reef. Its history as a tugboat is key to understanding its structure and the marine life it now hosts. Navigation typically involves descending to the wreck and exploring its exterior, suitable for divers comfortable with deeper wreck environments.
The "Remorqueur Arcachon" boasts a rich biodiversity, transforming the tugboat into a vibrant ecosystem. Divers can expect to encounter various schools of fish, adding dynamic movement to the scene. The wreck and surrounding seafloor are home to fascinating invertebrates such as starfish, sponges, conger eels, lobsters, and octopus, many of which find shelter and food within the wreck's structure.
The best time to visit this dive site would likely be during periods of good visibility and calm conditions, typical of late spring to early autumn in the Bay of Arcachon. For scuba divers, an intermediate to advanced certification is recommended due to the wreck's depth and potential currents. While the general site depth is 17m, the wreck's deeper sections at 18-25m require careful planning. Freedivers may find the average depth of 8 meters suitable for some exploration, but the primary attraction, the deeper wreck, might be challenging for extensive breath-hold diving. Snorkeling is not recommended due to the depth of the main attractions.
