Gironde River Water Levels Outlook, Week of August 18, 2025

Operations look normal this week for Bordeaux estuary itineraries. The Gironde is a macrotidal estuary where navigation schedules to the tide, and deep-water access at the mouth supports marine traffic. Tide amplitude typically ranges from about 6.6 to 16.4 ft [2 to 5 m].³ The Le Verdon deep-water site offers about 41 ft (12.5 m) of draft, supporting reliable port approaches for larger vessels.⁶

Forecast guidance for Bordeaux shows light midweek showers with roughly 0.21 in (5 mm) over the next seven days, otherwise many dry hours. This is not enough to drive sustained stage changes on the estuary, so tides remain the primary timing constraint for movements.⁴⁵

Travelers should coordinate with their advisor, verify pier times that flex around tide windows, and keep Cancel For Any Reason timing in mind. If late adjustments occur, they are usually schedule tweaks rather than wholesale reroutes.

Current Conditions

Primary gauge: Bordeaux, Garonne [Vigicrues station O972001001].¹ 13.8 ft (4.20 m), typical tidal range 6.6 to 16.4 ft [2 to 5 m]. Risk level Normal, with the station showing routine green vigilance today.²³

Seven-Day Outlook

Chart unavailable. Data summary for the Bordeaux reach: model-guided daily forecasts total about 0.21 in (5 mm) this week, concentrated Wednesday to Thursday, with otherwise low precipitation amounts.⁴ Because tides dominate short-term levels on the Gironde, mariners plan movements to SHOM tide windows at Pauillac and along the estuary. The call is Normal for the next 7 days.⁵

Three-Week Risk Forecast

The Gironde is Western Europe's largest estuary, macrotidal with a 2 to 5 m range, so navigation depends more on tide timing and currents than on river low-water.³ Deep-water access at Le Verdon, and channel improvements described by the maritime press, further support stable approaches when weather is typical.⁶⁷ If considering Cancel For Any Reason, review purchase windows and coverage limits now.

Cruise-Line Responses

Data unavailable.

Traveler Advice

Booked guests in the next two weeks can plan on normal operations. Expect minor time shifts to align with favorable tide windows at Bordeaux, Blaye, or Pauillac, and watch your line's app or emails 48 to 72 hours before embarkation for final pier times.⁵

If you are shopping near-term dates, this is a favorable window. Look for itineraries that include Bordeaux overnights and daytime calls at Médoc and Blaye, which pair well with tidal scheduling. Choose flexible fares or insurance that allow small timing changes without heavy penalties.

For trips beyond three weeks, keep monitoring but avoid changes based on today's outlook. The estuary's macrotidal nature and maintained access channel reduce the odds of meaningful low-water disruption, outside of unusual wind-wave or storm events.³⁶

Methodology

We use the Vigicrues Bordeaux station for identity and levels, SHOM tide tables for the estuary, public city-level precipitation forecasts, and internal thresholds, converting meters to feet at 1 ft = 0.3048 m.¹⁵⁴⁸

Disclaimer

Forecasts beyond ten days are probabilistic and may change without notice. This information does not constitute financial or insurance advice.

Sources

1. Hydro Eaufrance station fiche, La Garonne à Bordeaux, O972001001
2. Sentival, Bordeaux Vigicrues feed, latest level and vigilance status
3. Coastal Wiki, "Gironde estuary," size and macrotidal range
4. Timeanddate, Bordeaux 14-day forecast with daily precipitation amounts
5. SHOM official tide tables, Pauillac
6. Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux, Le Verdon deep-water site, 12.5 m draft
7. Mer et Marine, new access channel for Port of Bordeaux, depth about 14 m
8. NIST Handbook 44 Appendix C, exact foot-meter conversion, 1 ft = 0.3048 m