Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Participants must be able to swim and be comfortable in the water; basic self-rescue ability is recommended.

Is instruction included?

No. Rentals include equipment, a marine chart and safety recommendations, but no guided instruction.

What is the minimum age?

Children from age 8 may rent but must be accompanied by an adult and supervised throughout.

Can I take the kayak out at any tide?

No. Departures are scheduled around the tides; the operator will advise safe launch and return times at booking.

No. The operator does not permit pets during rentals.

Is the activity accessible to people with reduced mobility?

The listing notes accessibility accommodations—contact Antioche Kayak directly to discuss specific needs and equipment.

Sea-Kayak Rentals from Fouras: Paddle to Fort Boyard and Oyster Farms

Antioche Kayak’s single-seat rentals launch from Fouras’s South Beach, a short walk from town, and put you within easy reach of Fort Boyard, the Côte du Bois Vert and a string of sandy beaches and oyster farms. This self-guided sea-kayak outing is geared to independent paddlers and families (minimum age 8) who want to explore the peninsula at their own pace.

The coastline around Fouras is compact but varied: low sandy spits give way to rocky ledges and tidal channels where flats of oyster parks mark the rhythm of local industry. From the South Beach you can follow sheltered water along the presqu’île toward the Plage de la Vierge, skirt the wooded Bois Vert, and sight the squat silhouette of Fort Boyard, a 19th‑century sea fort that punctuates the horizon. Close to shore, Fort de Fouras and the Pointe offer history-minded stops; farther out, the maritime landscape opens to big water and wide sky.

Antioche Kayak supplies polymer sit-on-top sea kayaks with backrests, properly fitted life jackets, paddles, dry containers and a marine chart with suggested circuits and safety recommendations. Rentals are equipment-only: no guided instruction is included, so make sure you’re comfortable with basic paddling, self‑rescue and reading tides. Groups are limited to small numbers and departures follow the tide schedule, so arrive at Antioche Kayak at least 15 minutes early.

This rental stands out because it places paddlers directly into a working coastal scene—a living shoreline of oyster cages, fishing activity and coastal woodlands—rather than an empty tourist cove. You’ll find a blend of human craft and maritime geology: Pleistocene sands, salt‑tolerant scrub on the Bois Vert slopes, and the linear rows of elevated oyster plots that change with the tide. Keep an eye for harbour seals hauled out on rocky points and for seabirds that feed along the intertidal flats.

Practicalities: bring closed water shoes, sun protection, 2 liters of water, a waterproof pouch for electronics and layered clothing for wind and spray. Children under 8 are not permitted; under‑18s should be supervised. Antioche Kayak notes accessibility accommodations for patrons with reduced mobility—check with the operator about specific needs.

Typical rentals run 1–5 hours, offering anything from a short coastal loop to a longer half‑day exploration; the operator also offers discounted multi‑day rates for overnight self‑support trips—ask about availability. Check tide tables and local wind forecasts before launch; protection from wind and sun makes a big difference to comfort and safety on exposed stretches; trip-planning advice.