Summer Kayak - Interlaken

- Two hours paddling on the turquoise water of Lake Brienz - Sunbaked cliffs, hidden beaches and the 12th-century Ringgenberg Castle - Your guide photographs and films you, and sends everything for free - Stable sea kayaks, carbon paddles, wetsuit when it's cold - Beginners and non-swimmers welcome, from 12 years old - Free lockers at the base for everything you don't want in the lake

'Kayaking was one of the most awe inspiring experiences to do in Interlaken. The sheer color of the water was honestly beyond impressive. It was almost out of a fairytale.' That's Joshua, a guest, and he isn't exaggerating: Lake Brienz really is that turquoise, and from a kayak seat the colour surrounds you. The tour starts at the Hightide base in Bönigen, a nine-minute bus ride from Interlaken Ost. Your guide sets you up with a sea kayak, a carbon paddle, a buoyancy aid, a wetsuit if the day is cool, and enough technique to feel at home on the water within minutes. No experience needed; non-swimmers paddle here all season. Then you follow the north shore. Sunbaked cliffs, the mouths of the Lütschine and the Aare, small beaches you can't reach on foot, and above it all the 12th-century Ringgenberg Castle. This is not a workout: you paddle at the group's pace, stop for photos and short rests, and spend about two hours on the water out of three in total. Your phone stays in a free locker, and that's a feature. The lake is up to 260 metres deep and keeps what it takes; your guide photographs and films the tour and sends you everything afterwards, free. Book the evening slot if you want the lake at its calmest, with the sun dropping behind Interlaken. Mornings are quieter, afternoons warmest. There is no wrong answer.

- Adults: CHF 115 per person - Children (12 to 15): CHF 80 - Photos and videos by your guide: included, sent for free after the tour

- Sea kayak and carbon fibre paddle - Buoyancy aid - Wetsuit and splash jacket on cold days - Experienced guide, in English and German - Photos and videos sent for free after the tour - Free lockers, big enough for backpacks and shoes *Not Included : - Transport to Bönigen (bus 103 from Interlaken Ost, 9 minutes) - Towel and swimwear - Tips for the guide (optional)

- Swimwear or quick-dry sports clothes, no cotton, it stays cold when wet - A towel and dry clothes for afterwards - Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses with a strap, hat - A water bottle - Sport sandals or water shoes if you want them, barefoot works too *Leave in the locker: - Phone and camera. The lake is 260 metres deep and keeps what falls in; your guide takes the photos

- Beginners and non-swimmers welcome, the buoyancy aid does its job and the guide stays close - Anyone who wants Lake Brienz without the crowds: cliffs, castle views and beaches you can't walk to - From 12 years old; under 18 needs a parent's or guardian's consent - Relaxed pace with plenty of breaks; if you get tired, tell your guide and slow down *Not suitable for: - Children under 12 - Over 120 kg (265 lbs), the kayaks have their limits - Anyone under the influence of alcohol; tell us about medical conditions when you book

- Season: May to October (in winter, see our Winter Kayak tour) - Morning: 9:15 / 9:20 - Afternoon: 13:15 / 13:20 - Evening: 17:15, the calmest water and the best light - Duration: about 3 hours, around 2 of them on the water - Arrive 5 minutes early; start times are timed with the bus from Interlaken Ost

- Take bus 103 from Interlaken Ost towards Iseltwald, 9 minutes to Bönigen See. Not the EXP103 express, it skips the stop - The evening tour gets the calmest lake and the sun setting behind Interlaken - Ask for a single kayak: lighter to paddle, easier to turn, your own rhythm - Bring a strap for your sunglasses. The lake collects them otherwise - The free lockers fit backpacks and shoes, so travel light and paddle lighter

Hightide Kayak School sits in Bönigen, right where the village meets Lake Brienz, and their philosophy fits on a sticker: inspire people to live differently. They run their base the way they run their tours, unhurried and personal, with certified guides who also coach sea kayaking on oceans and rivers across Europe. They're also one of the few outfits anywhere doing accessible paddlesport, with adaptive equipment and years of experience in wheelchair sport. It says a lot about how they treat every guest. We partnered with them because they treat Lake Brienz the way we treat our farms and vineyards: as a place they live on, not a backdrop they sell. Your guide photographs your whole tour and sends it over for free, which tells you where their attention is while you paddle.

*I've never kayaked. Can I join? Yes. The tour is built for beginners: stable sea kayaks, clear instructions before and on the water, and a guide with you the whole time. *I can't swim. Is that a problem? No. Non-swimmers are welcome; you wear a buoyancy aid and the guide stays close. *How hard is it? Gentle. You paddle at the group's pace with plenty of breaks. If you get tired, say so and everyone slows down. *How do I get to the start? Bus 103 from Interlaken Ost towards Iseltwald, 9 minutes to Bönigen See; the base is opposite the stop. Avoid the EXP103 express. You can also walk the lakeside path from Interlaken Ost. *Where do I leave my things? Free lockers at the base, big enough for backpacks and shoes. Larger luggage can be stored too. *Should I take my phone on the water? No. The lake is up to 260 metres deep and doesn't give things back. Your guide takes photos and videos and sends them for free. *What if the weather is bad? The tour runs in rain, and the lake is often at its most dramatic then. Thunderstorms or strong wind mean rescheduling or a full refund. *Single or double kayak? Singles for most people: lighter, nimbler, your own rhythm. A few doubles exist; the guide decides what's safest on the day. *What about medical conditions? Tell us when you book and we'll check with the team that the tour fits.

- Our tours can be affected by weather conditions, however it is difficult to predict exactly how a trip will be impacted until the day of the activity - Please make sure we have good contact information for you so we can reach out if your trip is changed or cancelled due to poor conditions - If you have not heard from us, it means we are still planning to run your trip as scheduled, or we have not yet made a final decision based on the forecast - If we are not able to run your trip, we will try to accommodate you on another date, another activity, or we will issue you a full refund

- Free cancellation up to 96 hours (4 days) before the tour - Between 96 and 24 hours before the start: 50% of the tour price - Less than 24 hours before, or no-show: 100% - If the tour is cancelled for weather, safety or minimum numbers: full refund or a new date, your choice - Groups of 10 or more have their own scale, ask us when booking - Cancellation insurance is recommended at the time of booking