Finding Your Perfect Lake Brienz Adventure
Which tour is right for me?
There is a reason most of our guests choose to join a guided tour. Beyond the safety of having a professional on the water with you, a guided experience is about the "unseen" details: the secret stories of the 12th-century ruins, the hidden coves where the water glows brightest, and the professional photos our guides take of you so your phone stays dry in the locker.
Whether you’re a first-timer looking for a "taster" session or a scenery-seeker wanting a full-lake journey, we have two distinct ways to experience Lake Brienz.
Side-by-side comparison
3 Hour | 1.5 Hour | |
|---|---|---|
Best For | Guests who want the classic Lake Brienz tour | Guests who want an easy, shorter and more playful experience |
The "Vibe" | Scenic journey and exploration | Easy, accessible and fun |
Description | Discover turquoise water, dramatic cliffs and a medieval castle on our signature guided tour. Expert guides, top-quality equipment and plenty of time on the water show you the most spectacular side of Lake Brienz. | Enjoy Lake Brienz’s turquoise water in the sheltered Bönigen bay. With stable sit-on-top kayaks, this relaxed experience is all about easy paddling, beautiful views, free photos and fun on the water - with a swim if conditions allow. |
Duration | 3 hours (2 hours on water) | 1.5 hours (1 hour on water) |
Equipment | Sea Kayaks (fast/stable) | Sit-on-Top Kayaks (stable/easy) |
Departures | Morning, Early Afternoon, Evening | Mid afternoon |
Min. Age | 12 years | 5 years (ages 5-8 in a double kayak with an adult) |
Price | Adults CHF 115. | Adults CHF 85 |
Best For
3 Hour
Kayak Tour
Guests who want the classic Lake Brienz tour
1.5 Hour
Kayak Experience
Guests who want an easy, shorter and more playful experience
The "Vibe"
3 Hour
Kayak Tour
Scenic journey and exploration
1.5 Hour
Kayak Experience
Easy, accessible and fun
Description
3 Hour
Kayak Tour
Discover turquoise water, dramatic cliffs and a medieval castle on our signature guided tour. Expert guides, top-quality equipment and plenty of time on the water show you the most spectacular side of Lake Brienz.
1.5 Hour
Kayak Experience
Enjoy Lake Brienz’s turquoise water in the sheltered Bönigen bay. With stable sit-on-top kayaks, this relaxed experience is all about easy paddling, beautiful views, free photos and fun on the water - with a swim if conditions allow.
Duration
3 Hour
Kayak Tour
3 hours (2 hours on water)
1.5 Hour
Kayak Experience
1.5 hours (1 hour on water)
Equipment
3 Hour
Kayak Tour
Sea Kayaks (fast/stable)
1.5 Hour
Kayak Experience
Sit-on-Top Kayaks (stable/easy)
Departures
3 Hour
Kayak Tour
Morning, Early Afternoon, Evening
9:15 / 1:15 / 5:15
1.5 Hour
Kayak Experience
Mid afternoon
3:00
Min. Age
3 Hour
Kayak Tour
12 years
1.5 Hour
Kayak Experience
5 years (ages 5-8 in a double kayak with an adult)
Price
3 Hour
Kayak Tour
Adults CHF 115.
Children 12-15 CHF 80
1.5 Hour
Kayak Experience
Adults CHF 85
Children 5-15 CHF 60
The Summer Kayak Tour: The Journey
This is the choice for those who want a "classic" kayaking excursion. It is designed as a half-day adventure that feels like a true journey from A to B.
Go Further: Because we use professional sea kayaks, we can cover significantly more distance. This is the tour that takes you across the lake to the northern shore to see the cliffs of Ringgenberg and the 12th-century castle.
Skill Building: You’ll spend more time with your guide learning the nuances of sea kayaking. It’s perfect for those who want to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
The Golden Hours: With departures in the quiet morning and the atmospheric evening, this tour is all about soaking in the scenery when the light is at its best.
Choose this if: You want the iconic Lake Brienz tour, more time on the water, and a stronger feeling of journey and discovery.
The 1.5-Hour Experience: The Taster
Short, sweet, and incredibly accessible, this is our "express" version of Lake Brienz. It’s the perfect "taster" for anyone passing through Interlaken with a packed itinerary or for those who want a spontaneous water activity.
The Afternoon Sweet Spot: Departing at 3:00 PM, this experience hits the water during the warmest part of the day. This makes it the ultimate choice if you’re looking to combine kayaking with a refreshing afternoon dip in the lake.
Effortless Fun: We use sit-on-top kayaks for this session. They are very stable, "user-friendly," and require zero prior experience. We stay closer to the Bönigen shoreline, focusing on the fun of being on the water rather than the distance traveled.
Easy Logistics: At just 90 minutes total, it fits perfectly between a morning mountain excursion and a lakeside dinner.
Choose this if: You’re looking for a quick, fun "dip" into kayaking, you’re booking last minute, or you simply want to enjoy the lake during the heat of the afternoon.
Key Decision Factors
The Experience
On both adventures, you’ll be treated to incredible views and receive a photo and video package for free. The real difference is how we spend the time on the water. The Kayak Tour is a journey where you’ll travel further and see more of the lake’s hidden corners. The Kayak Experience is about staying local and focusing on the pure, playful fun of being in a kayak.
The Equipment: Sea Kayak vs. Sit-on-Top
The Summer Kayak Tour uses sea kayaks which have a "cockpit" you sit inside. They are faster and track straighter, but require a slightly higher age limit (12+). We always recommend single kayaks on this tour, this post explains why: Double vs Single Kayaks: What works best on a guided tour?
The 1.5-Hour Kayak Experience uses sit-on-top kayaks where you sit on a molded seat on top of the hull. They are almost impossible to unintentionally capsize and are easy to hop off for a swim and climb back onto. You can choose a single sit-on-top or share a double with a child, friend or partner. Single sit-on-tops are much lighter, more manoeuvrable and a lot more playful.
Time Commitment
Both activities fit easily into a busy itinerary. However, if you’ve just arrived and are looking for an immediate adventure, have a tight afternoon window, or want to spontaneously visit Bönigen and join a group, the 1.5-Hour Experience is your best bet. If you want kayaking to be the "main event" of your morning or afternoon, go for the 3-hour Kayak Tour.
Ready to book?
If you want the classic guided journey, choose the 3 Hour Kayak Tour.
If you want an easy, fun and flexible way to enjoy the lake, choose the 1.5 Hour Kayak Experience.
Either way, you will be out on the turquoise water of Lake Brienz with a guide, great views, and free photos to take home.
One and a half hour Kayaking Experience on Lake Brienz
This relaxed kayaking experience is all about enjoying Lake Brienz in an effortless way. With our stable and maneuverable sit-on-top...
Summer Kayak Tour Interlaken
Picture this: gliding in a kayak across the mesmerizing turquoise waters of Lake Brienz, surrounded by a breathtaking mountain panorama....
Want to explore on your own?
If you simply want to do your own thing, find a private beach to relax on without a group, a guided tour might not be what you're after. For total freedom, you can rent equipment from our base, including paddleboards, and create your own adventure.
