1.5-hour Kayaking Experience on Lake Brienz
Start Time
Duration
Price
Info
Included
Discover Lake Brienz on a Sit-on-Top-Kajak – including photo package
This relaxed kayaking experience is all about enjoying Lake Brienz in an effortless way. With our stable and maneuverable sit-on-top kayaks, we stay close to our base in Bönigen and spend an hour of fun on the water right by the lake shore.
The focus is on relaxed paddling, a bit of splashing around, and pure enjoyment on the lake – without the time commitment of a longer tour. It's the perfect way to get out on the water, try kayaking, and take home great photos as a souvenir of your experience.
Are you looking for a longer, scenic tour along the rock faces and past Ringgenberg Castle? Then our summer kayak tour offers you an even more intense experience.
Trip Details
Who is this kayaking experience suitable for?
If you are looking for a fun and easy way to experience Lake Brienz in a short format, this experience is just right for you. It is perfect for beginners, non-kayakers, and anyone looking for an easy guided activity on the water. Non-swimmers are welcome. Families can also participate – children aged 5 and above are welcome (5- to 8-year-olds sit in a double kayak with an adult companion).
Level of difficulty
Easy and beginner-friendly. We use stable sit-on-top kayaks and stay close to the shore, paddling at a relaxed pace and under constant supervision. You don't need any kayaking experience and don't have to be a confident swimmer (swimming aids and life jackets are provided).
Meeting point
Hightide Kayak School, Am Quai 1, 3806 Bönigen
Opposite the Bönigen See bus stop.
How to find us
Arrival Time
Please arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
Included: Your professional kayaking equipment
- Sit-on-top Kayak and Paddle
- Life jacket
- Free photos and videos (sent immediately after the tour)
- Experienced guides
What you should bring
- Quick-drying swimwear or sportswear. Wear a swimsuit or moisture-wicking shorts/tops (e.g., made of synthetic fabrics such as polyester, not cotton). You are likely to get wet or fall into the water.
- Towel
- Sports sandals, flip-flops, Crocs, or water shoes (optional)
- Sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat)
What you shouldn't bring
- Cell phones and expensive cameras can easily fall into the lake. If this happens, they cannot be recovered from the bottom of Lake Brienz, which is up to 260 meters deep. It is best to leave your valuables safely in the lockers and enjoy the free photos and videos taken by your guide.
Tour duration
Total time: approx. 1.5 hours
Time on the water: approx. 1 hour
Languages
Our tours are offered in English and German
Age and weight limits
Minimum age: 5 years. Max. weight: 120 kg.
Tour Highlights
We start at our base in Bönigen and paddle a short distance close to the shore, past small bays and pebble beaches. Along the way, we stop for some fun – with simple games, a bit of splashing around, and a swim, conditions permitting. If the day allows, we also paddle towards the Lütschine estuary to feel the gentle current of the river at a safe, controlled spot.
Weather conditions
The tours take place in almost all weather conditions, even in the rain. If the tour cannot take place, you will receive a full refund, or you can postpone your tour. Further details can be found here.
Directions to Bönigen Kayak Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
The main difference lies in the design of the boat and the type of experience they offer on Lake Brienz.
Sit-on-Top Kayaks (Used for our 1.5-hour Experience and Rentals)
- Ultimate Stability: These kayaks are designed to be very stable and maneuverable, making them the easiest choice for absolute beginners.
- Easy Access: Because you sit "on top" of the boat rather than inside it, they are incredibly easy to get on and off.
- The "Splash" Factor: You are much more likely to get wet or go for a swim in these boats, which is why they are perfect for a relaxed, fun session focused on splashing around the shoreline. They're easy to climb back on from the water.
- Best for: Anyone looking for a time-efficient way to see the lake and beginners wanting a "zero-stress" experience. They're also perfect for families, as kids (ages 5+) can easily go with an adult on our stable double sit-on-top kayaks.
Sea Kayaks (Used for our 3-hour Summer & Winter Tours)
- Efficiency and Speed: These are traditional "sit-in" kayaks designed to glide efficiently through the water, allowing you to cover more distance with less effort.
- Distance Journeys: Because they are faster, we use these for our longer tours to reach scenic highlights like the Ringgenberg Castle and the steep rock faces of the northern shore.
- The "Journey" Experience: While still beginner-friendly, these boats provide a more traditional and "intense" kayaking experience compared to the sit-on-top.
- Best for: Adventurers who want to explore further, see the castle, and enjoy a longer journey across the turquoise waters.
The main differences are duration, distance, and equipment.
- The 1.5-hour Experience: A "taster" session. You spend about 60 minutes on the water using Sit-On-Top kayaks. These are incredibly stable and easy to use, making them perfect for those who want a quick, fun introduction to the lake.
- The 3-hour Summer Tour: A half-day adventure. You spend roughly 2 hours on the water using professional Sea Kayaks. These boats are faster, allowing us to travel further to see Ringgenberg Castle and hidden cliffs. It’s the best choice for those seeking a more traditional journey and a deeper dive into paddling skills.
Absolutely. This is a family-friendly option. Children as young as 5 can join when paddling in a double kayak with an adult. Its shorter duration is perfectly suited to the attention spans and energy levels of younger adventurers.
Since we use stable sit-on-top kayaks for this tour, you should expect to get splashed! We recommend dressing for the water temperature:
- Best choice: Swimwear or light synthetic sports clothes (shorts and a T-shirt) that dry quickly. Avoid cotton, as it stays cold and heavy when wet.
- Footwear: Water shoes, flip-flops, or sandals you don't mind getting wet. Barefoot is also fine.
- We provide: High-quality splash jackets and, if the weather is cooler, wetsuits (included in the tour).
- Don't forget: A towel and a full change of clothes for afterward, sun protection, and a strap for your glasses!
Yes, you should expect to get splashed. Sit-on-top kayaks are open, and because the session includes fun games and an optional swim, you’ll likely get a bit wet, or even completely soaked if you want to. We recommend bringing a towel and a full change of clothes for afterwards.
Please write us an email to info@hightide.ch explaining your medical condition and which tour /course and date you would like to book.
Yes, we have plenty of lockers available, and they are included in the tour and rental price. The lockers are large enough for backpacks and shoes. If you have bigger suitcases or other luggage, we can store those safely for you as well.
Meet at Hightide Kayak School
Am Quai 1, 3806 Bönigen
Opposite the bus stop Bönigen See.
10 minutes on bus line 103 from Interlaken Ost. Timetable
Directions: How to Find Us
You can book your kayak tour directly online on our website. After booking, you will receive instant confirmation with all the details you need, including where to go, what time to arrive, and what to bring.
Falling out of your kayak is unlikely unless you intentionally want to go for a swim.
If it happens by accident, there’s no need to worry. Your guide will ask you to hold on to your paddle and kayak, then talk you through the steps to get back in. Once you’re back in, you can carry on with the tour.
Yes, there is public parking on Parkstrasse in Bönigen with a few minutes’ walk to the base. The public parking areas are payable.
Kayaking is fun in any weather. You will be surprised how nice it is to kayak in rain. Nature is all the more dramatic and the drops of water on the lake make the experience even more unique. The expectations are often lower and, in the end, all the more positive. Trust us, it’s still going to be great. During thunderstorms or very strong winds we may have to cancel or delay tours for safety reasons.
More information on this topic can be found here: Will Bad Weather Ruin My Kayak Tour?
Our tours are perfectly suited for beginners and non-swimmers; no prior experience is required. The minimum age for our 1.5-hour Kayak Experience is 5 years, while our 3-hour Summer and Winter Kayak Tours are open to participants aged 12 and up.