Interlaken Cruises and Boat Tours
Interlaken cruises and boat tours are one of the best ways to experience Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland from the water. Set between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, Interlaken gives you turquoise alpine water, mountain reflections, lakeside villages, castle views, waterfalls, paddle steamers, jetboat rides, winter kayaking and some of the most scenic lake routes in Switzerland.
For most visitors, the main choice is simple: do you want a classic Lake Thun cruise, a Lake Brienz boat trip, a fast jetboat ride, a peaceful winter kayak tour, a summer swim-and-view route, a paddle steamer experience, a family-friendly sightseeing boat, or a wider Switzerland itinerary with Lucerne, Geneva and Lake Como-style alpine lake routes nearby?
This EuroAquaTours guide helps you compare the best Interlaken water experiences, including Lake Brienz jetboats, winter kayaking, Lake Thun cruises, Brienz village, Iseltwald, Spiez, Giessbach Falls, Ringgenberg Castle, alpine scenery, mountain reflections, family-friendly boats, romantic lake views, eco-style paddling and wider Switzerland cruise planning.
EuroAquaTours promise: use this page to move from “which Interlaken boat tour should I book?” to one clear Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, jetboat, kayak, winter, family-friendly, romantic, eco-style or Switzerland lake route that fits your trip.
Quick Verdict: Are Interlaken Cruises and Boat Tours Worth It?
Yes – Interlaken cruises and boat tours are worth it if you want Swiss alpine lake scenery, Lake Brienz turquoise water, Lake Thun village views, mountain reflections, winter kayaking, jetboat thrills, paddle steamer routes, family-friendly sightseeing and a relaxed break from mountain excursions. Interlaken is especially strong because it sits between two beautiful lakes with very different moods.
Best overall adventure choice: the Interlaken Jetboat Ride on Lake Brienz if you want speed, 360° spins, mountain views, turquoise water and a high-energy Swiss lake experience.
Best peaceful winter choice: the Interlaken Winter Kayak Tour on Lake Brienz if you want calm water, drysuit-supported paddling, small groups, Ringgenberg Castle views and a quieter winter alternative to ski slopes.
Best classic lake choice: a Lake Thun or Lake Brienz sightseeing cruise if you want seated alpine scenery, villages, castles, mountain views and a more relaxed format than kayaking or jetboating.
Best Lake Brienz choice: choose Lake Brienz if you want turquoise water, dramatic mountain scenery, Iseltwald, Brienz, Giessbach Falls context and a more intense alpine-lake color.
Best Lake Thun choice: choose Lake Thun if you want Spiez, castles, vineyards, larger lake views, paddle steamer atmosphere and a classic Swiss lake cruise feel.
Best family choice: a shorter daytime lake cruise, jetboat ride with age and height rules checked, or calm sightseeing route with toilets, indoor seating where available and simple transport connections.
Best romantic choice: a late-afternoon lake cruise, scenic Lake Thun route, quiet Lake Brienz boat trip or private-style alpine water experience with mountain views.
Best wider Switzerland choice: compare Interlaken with Lucerne and Geneva if you are choosing one main Swiss lake cruise destination.
Skip when: you want a city river cruise, dinner cruise, sea views, island hopping, nightlife boats or guaranteed warm-water swimming. Interlaken is strongest for lakes, mountains, calm sightseeing, adventure rides, kayaking, winter scenery and Swiss alpine views.
Booking tip: decide first whether you want relaxing scenery, speed, kayaking, winter atmosphere, Lake Brienz color, Lake Thun villages, family comfort or wider Switzerland planning. These create very different Interlaken water experiences.
Check current Interlaken cruise options
Note: Interlaken-area boat routes can depend on lake schedules, season, weather, wind, mountain visibility, water conditions, transport connections and operator rules. Always check the exact pier, meeting point, duration, included gear, age or height rules, indoor seating, return transport and cancellation terms before booking.
Start Here: Find & Book Your Interlaken Boat Tour Experience
Use the options below to compare live availability, current prices, Interlaken boat tours, Lake Brienz jetboats, winter kayaking, Lake Thun cruises, alpine lake routes, family-friendly departures, romantic lake views, eco-style paddling, private options and cancellation rules.
For most travelers, start with Lake Brienz if you want turquoise water and mountain drama, choose Lake Thun if you want classic Swiss lake villages, choose the jetboat if you want speed, and choose winter kayaking if you want a quiet cold-season experience.
Not Sure Which Interlaken Boat Tour to Book?
If this is your first Interlaken water experience, choose based on your energy level. Choose the Lake Brienz jetboat for adventure, the winter kayak tour for a quiet guided experience, Lake Thun for a classic scenic cruise and Lake Brienz sightseeing for turquoise alpine water and dramatic mountain views.
Choose Lake Thun if you want villages, castles and paddle steamer atmosphere. Choose Lake Brienz if you want brighter water, mountain reflections and a more dramatic lake setting. Choose kayaking if you want a closer water-level view. Choose Lucerne or Geneva if you are comparing more Swiss lake cruise bases.
Simple decision rule: choose jetboat for thrills, winter kayak for peace, Lake Brienz for color, Lake Thun for classic cruising, Lucerne for iconic Swiss lake scenery and Geneva for city-lake views with wine or snack-style cruise options.
EuroAquaTours Interlaken Cruise Finder
Use this quick finder before you book. Interlaken boat tours can be relaxing, scenic, fast, active, winter-focused, family-friendly, romantic, eco-style or part of a wider Switzerland and alpine lake itinerary.
First Time in Interlaken?
Choose a Lake Brienz or Lake Thun sightseeing route if you want classic alpine water views without needing to paddle or handle a high-speed ride.
Want Adventure?
Choose the Lake Brienz jetboat if you want speed, 360° turns, water spray, mountain views and one of Interlaken’s most exciting water experiences.
Want a Quiet Winter Route?
Choose the winter kayak tour if you want calm water, drysuit-supported paddling, small groups, safety guidance and snowy mountain views from Lake Brienz.
Want the Classic Swiss Lake Feel?
Choose Lake Thun if you want villages, castles, vineyards, paddle steamer atmosphere, Spiez views and a more traditional lake-cruise route.
Want Turquoise Water?
Choose Lake Brienz if you want bright blue-green water, steep mountains, Iseltwald, Brienz, Giessbach Falls context and dramatic photos.
Comparing Swiss Lakes?
Use the Switzerland hub to compare Interlaken with Lucerne, Geneva and other Swiss or nearby alpine lake experiences.
Best Interlaken Cruises and Boat Tours to Consider
The best Interlaken water experience depends on whether you want Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, jetboat speed, winter kayaking, calm sightseeing, mountain views, paddle steamer charm, family comfort or wider Switzerland cruise planning.
Best Adventure Choice: Interlaken Jetboat Ride on Lake Brienz
Choose this route if you want the most exciting Interlaken water experience, with speed, 360° turns, turquoise Lake Brienz views, mountain scenery, spray, safety gear and a short high-energy format.
Best for: adventure travelers, families with older children, groups, first-time Interlaken visitors, photographers and anyone who wants more action than a classic lake cruise.
Best Winter Choice: Winter Kayak Tour on Lake Brienz
Choose this route if you want a peaceful cold-season experience with calm water, drysuits, guide support, small groups, mountain reflections, Ringgenberg Castle views and a quiet alternative to ski-slope crowds.
Best for: winter travelers, couples, photographers, calm-adventure seekers, eco-minded visitors and anyone who wants a rare Swiss winter lake experience.
Best Classic Cruise Choice: Lake Thun Scenic Cruise
Choose Lake Thun if you want a classic Swiss lake cruise with larger-water views, Spiez, castles, vineyards, mountain panoramas and possible paddle steamer atmosphere.
Best for: families, couples, older travelers, slow travelers, village lovers and visitors who want a calm seated sightseeing route.
Best Turquoise Lake Choice: Lake Brienz Scenic Boat Trip
Choose Lake Brienz if you want intense turquoise water, steep mountain scenery, Iseltwald, Brienz, Giessbach Falls context and a more dramatic alpine-lake setting.
Best for: photographers, couples, first-time visitors, nature lovers, social media photos and travelers who care most about lake color and mountain reflections.
Best Waterfall Choice: Lake Brienz and Giessbach Falls Route
Choose a Lake Brienz route with Giessbach Falls context if you want a scenic boat-and-waterfall pairing, especially in warmer months when hiking and lake travel combine well.
Best for: hikers, photographers, families, nature-focused travelers and visitors who want more than only sitting on the boat.
Best Family Choice: Short Daytime Lake Cruise
Choose a shorter Lake Thun or Lake Brienz sightseeing route if you want calm water, simple timing, indoor seating where available, toilets where available and easy transport planning.
Best for: families, children, grandparents, mixed-age groups, non-adventure travelers and visitors with limited time.
Best Eco-Style Choice: Guided Kayaking on Lake Brienz
Choose kayaking if you want a low-impact, guide-supported water-level experience with more silence, smaller groups and a closer connection to the lake than a larger boat.
Best for: eco-minded travelers, couples, photographers, confident beginners and visitors who want quiet scenery rather than speed.
Best Switzerland Comparison: Interlaken vs Lucerne and Geneva
Choose Interlaken for alpine adventure and two-lake scenery, Lucerne for classic Swiss lake views and mountain backdrops, and Geneva for city-lake cruising with Lake Geneva views.
Best for: Switzerland itinerary planning, families, couples, photographers and travelers choosing one main Swiss lake cruise base.
Choose Your Interlaken Boat Tour Style
Interlaken cruises and water tours are easiest to choose when you decide whether your priority is Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, speed, winter kayaking, family comfort, romance, eco-style paddling, alpine villages or wider Swiss lake planning.
Choose Jetboat If…
You want speed, spins, spray, excitement and mountain views in a short, high-energy Lake Brienz experience.
Choose Winter Kayak If…
You want a quiet guided route with drysuits, calm water, small groups and snowy mountain reflections.
Choose Lake Brienz If…
You want turquoise water, steep alpine scenery, Iseltwald, Brienz and Giessbach Falls context.
Choose Lake Thun If…
You want a classic Swiss lake cruise with castles, villages, Spiez, wider lake views and paddle steamer atmosphere.
Choose Short Cruise If…
You want a relaxing lake experience that fits between Jungfrau region excursions, hiking, train travel and town time.
Choose Family Cruise If…
You want calm water, stable seating, clear schedules, toilets where available and easy transport from Interlaken.
Choose Romantic Route If…
You want late-day mountain light, lake reflections and a quieter scenic experience with less physical effort.
Choose Lucerne or Geneva If…
You are comparing Switzerland more broadly and prefer a bigger classic lake cruise base or a city-lake experience.
Interlaken Cruises and Boat Tours Compared
| Tour Type | Best For | Typical Feel | What to Check | Good Match When… | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interlaken Jetboat Ride on Lake Brienz | Adventure, speed, Lake Brienz, mountain views, families with older children | Fast, exciting, scenic | Age or height rules, safety gear, season, weather policy, departure point and photo options | You want the most exciting Interlaken water experience | Read the guide |
| Interlaken Winter Kayak Tour on Lake Brienz | Winter scenery, quiet water, small groups, drysuits, Ringgenberg Castle, calm adventure | Peaceful, guided, winter-focused | Included gear, age rules, thermal clothing, guide ratio, duration and weather policy | You want a unique winter lake experience | Read the guide |
| Lake Brienz scenic boat trip | Turquoise water, Iseltwald, Brienz, Giessbach Falls, mountain reflections | Scenic, dramatic, photo-friendly | Pier location, timetable, route, waterfall connection, seating and transport from Interlaken | You care most about turquoise alpine scenery | Compare Lake Brienz options |
| Lake Thun scenic cruise | Spiez, castles, villages, vineyards, paddle steamer atmosphere, classic lake views | Relaxed, traditional, scenic | Pier, timetable, stop options, boat type, return plan and rail/bus connections | You want a classic Swiss lake cruise | Compare Lake Thun options |
| Lake Brienz and Giessbach Falls route | Waterfall scenery, hiking, photos, lake-and-land pairing | Nature-focused, scenic, active | Boat stop, walking time, waterfall access, return timetable and weather conditions | You want lake views plus a natural highlight | Compare waterfall routes |
| Romantic Interlaken lake cruise | Couples, photos, late-day light, mountain reflections, calm scenery | Soft, scenic, relaxed | Departure time, light conditions, seating, route and return transport | You want a couple-friendly Swiss lake route | Explore romantic cruises |
| Family-friendly Interlaken lake cruise | Children, older travelers, calm water, simple timing, scenic views | Easy, practical, comfortable | Duration, toilets, indoor seating, stroller rules, exact pier and transport connections | You want low-stress alpine scenery | Find family-friendly cruises |
| Wider Switzerland cruise planning | Interlaken, Lucerne, Geneva, Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne | Strategic, itinerary-focused, regional | Base city, lake type, season, mountain visibility, route length and transport | You are choosing one main Swiss lake cruise base | Explore Switzerland cruises |
EuroAquaTours tip: for one exciting Interlaken experience, choose the Lake Brienz jetboat. For one peaceful winter experience, choose the Lake Brienz winter kayak tour. For a classic relaxing lake day, compare Lake Thun and Lake Brienz sightseeing routes.
Featured Interlaken, Switzerland and Alpine Lake Cruise Guides
These selected EuroAquaTours guides help you compare Interlaken’s strongest water experiences with Switzerland, Lucerne, Geneva, Lake Como, Milan and related lake cruise categories.
Interlaken: Jetboat Ride on Lake Brienz
The main adventure guide for Lake Brienz speed, 360° spins, alpine views, turquoise water, safety gear and high-energy Interlaken scenery.
Interlaken: Winter Kayak Tour on Lake Brienz
A peaceful winter guide for drysuit-supported kayaking, small groups, Ringgenberg Castle, snowy mountain reflections and quiet Lake Brienz paddling.
Switzerland Cruises and Boat Tours
Use the Switzerland hub to compare Interlaken with Lucerne, Geneva and other Swiss lake cruise options.
Lucerne Cruises and Boat Tours
Helpful if you are comparing Interlaken’s Lake Brienz and Lake Thun routes with Lake Lucerne catamarans, mountain views and classic Swiss lake scenery.
Lucerne: Round-Trip Catamaran Cruise on Lake Lucerne
A useful Switzerland comparison if you want a calm catamaran route instead of Interlaken’s jetboat or kayak experiences.
Geneva Cruises and Boat Tours
Useful if you are comparing Interlaken’s alpine adventure lakes with Geneva’s city-lake routes, Lake Geneva views and food-friendly cruises.
Geneva: Lake Cruise with Snacks and Wine
A strong Swiss city-lake comparison if you want a more relaxed food-and-wine route instead of Interlaken’s active Lake Brienz options.
Lake Como Cruises and Boat Tours
Helpful if you are comparing Swiss alpine lake scenery with nearby northern Italy lake routes around Como, Bellagio and mountain-backed villages.
From Milan: Como, Lugano and Bellagio Exclusive Boat Cruise
A useful alpine lake comparison if Lugano, Bellagio and Lake Como are also part of your Switzerland or northern Italy itinerary.
More Interlaken, Switzerland and Alpine Lake Boat Guides
Browse more EuroAquaTours articles related to Interlaken cruises, Lake Brienz, Lake Thun, winter kayaking, jetboat rides, alpine lake cruises, Swiss mountain scenery, Lucerne, Geneva, Lake Como, Lugano, romantic lake cruises, winter cruises, eco-style water experiences and Switzerland boat tour planning.

