Hightide Kayak School · Hightide base, Bönigen
A guided small-group kayak tour on Lake Brienz from November to April, in an expedition drysuit with neoprene boots and warm socks. Pick it if you want the lake when the summer crowds and most of the boats are gone, and you would rather paddle than sit on a deck.
Hightide Kayak School runs this tour from its base in Bönigen, on the Interlaken end of Lake Brienz, from November to April. You get an expedition drysuit, neoprene boots and thick socks, a sea kayak and a guide, and the group never goes above six. The route heads along the shore past Ringgenberg Castle and the cliffs of the north side, with a stop on the water for hot tea and cookies.
This is the operator's own kayak, not a scheduled boat, so no rail pass covers it. That matters less in winter than you might think: the BLS boats on Lake Brienz run from early April to early December, which leaves this tour and the winter jetboat as the ways onto this lake for most of the cold months. Lake Thun keeps its scheduled boats all year.
The booking slot is 3 hours, and the time on the water sits inside that, with check-in and the drysuit routine before and after. Ages 12 and up only, and the limit is 120 kg (264 lbs). No previous kayaking is needed; the listing says the tour suits non-swimmers and beginners. Pickup is not included and neither are the layers you wear under the drysuit, so bring thermals and a thin jumper. The listing sells it for every kind of weather: clear days, and grey, rainy or snowy ones that turn the lake into a different place.
Bus 103 from Interlaken Ost to Bönigen See takes about 10 minutes; the base is round the corner. On foot it is about 35 minutes along the river and the lake.
Check in at the Hightide base at Hotel Oberländerhof, 5 minutes before your start time.
Your guide fits the drysuit, boots and socks over your own warm layers and runs through paddling and safety on land.
Paddle out from Bönigen along the cliffs and past Ringgenberg Castle, with the snowy ridges reflected on calm days.
A stop on the water for hot tea and cookies, and time to sit still and look around.
Back to Bönigen, out of the drysuit and into dry clothes. Photos and video come digitally.
★★★★★Ben was a great tour guide. [...] We spent a good amount of time (our choice) just sitting in our kayaks in the middle of Lake Brienz enjoying the quiet and peace of the lake and beauty of the mountains. I highly recommend.
★★★★★It was my first time kayaking and It was a great experience , Patricia our mentor made the entire experience smooth and easy for us.
★★★★★Super good time and the views are insane. Sona was a great guide, she was a ton of fun and super nice. We got some amazing pictures and memories.
★★★★★We had such a great time - the weather turned fast while we were out, but our guide was great and it will be a memory we have forever for sure!
Read next:
From November to April. Hightide runs its summer kayak tour on the same lake from May to October.
No. The listing says the tour suits beginners and non-swimmers, and the guide gives a briefing before you go out. Groups are six guests at most.
Hightide provides the expedition drysuit, neoprene boots and thick socks. You bring the layers underneath: a thermal top and bottom and a thin jumper, plus extra layers if you get cold easily.
No. It is the operator's own kayak tour, not a scheduled BLS boat, so passes do not apply.
Ready to book
Lake Brienz under snow from a kayak, with a drysuit, boots and a guide, November to April.
Winter Jetboat Ride on Lake BrienzA short winter run on Lake Brienz: 360° spins and snowy shores, with gloves, a beanie and a waterproof layer.★ 4.9 · 35 minutes · from $96
Lake Brienz Kayak Tour, Max 6Three hours with a coach to the north shore cliffs and Ringgenberg Castle, max 6 per coach, photos included.★ 4.9 · 3 hours · from $139
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