Salagou Lake prohibits all internal combustion engines, which means that boating is limited to sailboats, electric boats, and rowing. Next to our lakeside campsite in the Hérault region, two water sports centers rent electric rowboats, pedal boats, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards, most of which do not require a license.
Here are the boat rental options at Lake Salagou, available at these two locations, along with rates, capacity information, and practical tips to help you choose the right outing for your group.
Key points to remember
- Salagou Lake prohibits internal combustion engines: only sailing and electric propulsion are allowed.
- Two water sports centers share the offerings: the Salagou Outdoor Recreation Center in Clermont-l’Hérault and the Salagou Water Sports Center in Celles.
- The CAP 4700 electric boat can accommodate up to 7 people and has a range of 6 to 8 hours.
- Pedal boats can be rented starting at 23€ per hour for 4 people.
- The electric fishing boat costs €50 for 3 hours or €75 for the day; a fishing license is required.
Salagou Outdoor Recreation Center: 5 boats to suit every taste
On the shores of Clermont-l’Hérault, the Salagou Outdoor Activity Center offers the widest selection of boat rentals on Lake Salagou. The 4-person pedal boat, equipped with a slide, is perfect for families who want to splash around on the calm water, while the electric fishing boat lets you reach the best carp spots—a fishing license is required to board. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent to children ages 6 and up when accompanied by an adult, for an active trip along the ochre-colored shores. The giant stand-up paddleboard accommodates 4 to 6 friends aged 8 and up on a single board, and the electric floating lounge can be operated without a license for a group outing or birthday celebration—either independently or with a guide on board.
A visitor favorite: sliding down the pedal boat slide straight into the lake, between swims, with a view of the red hills.
Practical Information: What You Can Rent:
- Pedal boat: starting at €23 per hour (€33 for 1.5 hours, €42 for 2 hours, €62 for 3 hours), 4 people, life jackets provided and required.
- Electric fishing boat: starting at €50 for 3 hours (€75 for the day); a fishing license is required.
- Canoeing and kayaking: Ages 6 and up when accompanied by an adult; unaccompanied minors are permitted with signed parental consent.
- Giant paddleboard: Ages 8 and up; holds 4 to 6 people.
- Electric floating lounge: starting at €75 for 1.5 hours of self-guided use (€150 for 1 hour with a guide); no boat license required; a €900 security deposit is required.
- Address: Banks of the Clermont-l’Hérault, Lake Salagou, 34800 Clermont-l’Hérault.
- Phone: 04 67 96 05 71.
- Summer hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Salagou Water Sports Center: The Go-To Spot for Electric Boats in Celles
On Vailhés Bay in Celles, the Salagou Water Sports Center rents out electric boats from the eFun range, as well as pedal boats, canoes, catamarans, and windsurf boards—by booking only. The flagship model, the CAP 4700 electric boat, can carry up to 7 people and has a range of 6 to 8 hours at a speed of 5 to 7 km/h. No license is required to operate these quiet boats, which feature a steering wheel and onboard storage. This second location rounds out the boat rental options on the north shore of Lake Salagou, where most boats can be rented without a license.
Visitors’ favorite experience: gliding silently past the glowing hills, far from the sound of any internal combustion engine, to watch the ruffe fish glisten in the turquoise water.
Practical Information: What You Can Rent:
- CAP 4700 electric boat: starting at €20 per boat, up to 7 people depending on the weather, no boat license required.
- Also available to book: pedal boats, canoes, kayaks, catamarans, and windsurfing boards.
- Address: Baie des Vailhés, 34700 Celles.
- Phone: 06 52 71 01 61.
- Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in July and August; Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. from mid-April through the end of June and in September; closed from October 1 through April 14.
Booking your boat rental at Lake Salagou the day before helps you avoid unpleasant surprises during peak season, when electric boats and pedal boats go fast on sunny days. Both boat rental centers may close in the event of strong winds or thunderstorms, so it’s best to call before heading out.
How about a stay that combines nights by the water with water activities on the turquoise waters of Lake Salagou? Book your stay at our campsite today!