Water sports with a view
Choose from canoeing in spring, action-packed water skiing in summer, a relaxing tour by stand-up paddle and kayaking adventures in winter. The possibilities for water sports on lakes Brienz and Thun are endless. Experience the natural beauty of the Bernese Oberland from the water. Unwind in idyllic lake resorts and lidos while enjoying uniquely panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Enjoy peace and tranquillity on the lake
Relax and unwind with a panoramic view of the mountains
Water activities for every season
Bathe in crystal clear, turquoise waters
Try a new sport on the water
Around lakes Brienz and Thun you will find tranquil bathing spots, open-air pools, lake resorts and lidos in which to unwind. Rent a pedalo and glide across the waters under your own steam with family and friends. Alternatively, you may wish to paddle from Thun (Gwatt) to Leissigen with a canoe or stand-up paddle (SUP). Lake Brienz also has a paddle trail. You can follow one of the suggested routes or make up your own. Travel by canoe, kayak or (SUP) from Bönigen to the cliffs of Iseltwald, or from Iseltwald to the Giessbach Falls and back.
Want to know what activities are on offer on Interlaken’s lakes? When it comes to water sports, you’ll be spoilt for choice. You can go wake boarding, wake surfing, wake skating, water skiing, sailing, windsurfing or even try out something new like surfski paddling. These water sports are available around lakes Brienz and Thun.
Find your own favourite bathing spot by the lake. During the summer months, the Interlaken holiday region boasts 22 open-air swimming pools, 17 of which are bathing beaches right on the banks of the lake. The Schwäbis River Pool is right on the River Aare, a short walk from the departure point for the dinghy tours from Thun to Bern. On the lake shores and bathing beaches of Neuhaus, Merligen, Gunten, Oberhofen, Hünegg, Niederried and Brienz, you can enjoy the sunset on a warm summer’s evening. Away from the open-air pools, you can also find a cosy place to swim by the lake that is open to the public.
Do you dream of wild mountain streams and thundering rivers? You can negotiate Interlaken’s tempestuous waters in the best of company with a rubber dinghy and paddle. River rafting guarantees an action-packed, adrenaline-fuelled experience. Safely equipped, set out for a wild ride in your raft boat. Paddle through waves and steer the boat as it accelerates downriver. Adrenaline junkies can experience the water minus the boat on a canyoning trip. Edge along smooth cliff faces and through the raging river to a thundering waterfall.
When the summer temperatures rise, take a refreshing dip in the cool lake. The water temperatures of lakes Brienz an Thun average 17 to 21 degrees at this time of year. On hot days, the water can reach 22 to 24 degrees in shallow spots and secluded bays. If you still find that too cold, almost all lidos offer pedalo and rowing boat rentals: warm up in the sunshine as you glide easily over crystal clear waters.
Do you like to rip across the water at high speed, or do you prefer a more leisurely pace? Whether it’s an exhilarating jetboat ride on Lake Brienz or a laid-back steamboat cruise over the shimmering waters, the choice is yours. Scheduled passenger ferries also ply the lakes of Brienz and Thun. Incidentally, a boat excursion is best combined with a walk along the banks of the lake. Ships also serve Lake Thun in the winter, when guests can view the snowy mountains from the water and savour the wintry stillness all around.
In winter, the atmosphere around Lake Brienz is breathtaking, and nowhere more so than on the water. Experience the natural beauty of Lake Brienz from a kayak. The kayak tour starts in Bönigen. Accompanied by professionals, you’ll glide across the placid waters in your kayak. All around is silence, with nothing but the gentle splash of your paddle. Over time, paddling becomes second nature and the panoramic view comes back into focus.
Step away from the stresses of everyday life and feel how the warm, soothing water envelops you. The wellness centres of the Interlaken holiday region offer so much variety. Relax in the whirlpool, sauna or steam bath, or chill out on a deckchair: the choice is yours. Many of the wellness centres are located by Lake Thun, and some have outdoor saltwater pools – complete with views of the lake and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland. In winter, a special bathing experience awaits on the banks of Lake Brienz in a form of a wooden hotpot.