Lake Brienz Scenic Jet-Boat Ride, Interlaken

Lake Brienz, the turquoise lake of the Bernese Oberland

Lake Brienz stretches about 14 kilometres east of Interlaken, between steep wooded mountainsides, and reaches a depth of around 260 metres. Its famous turquoise colour comes from fine glacial rock flour carried in by mountain rivers, which reflects the light and gives the water a milky green-blue shine, strongest on sunny summer days.

The lake is cooler and quieter than its neighbour, Lake Thun, with few roads along the south shore and cliffs dropping straight into deep water. A jet boat on Lake Brienz lets you cover a long stretch of this shoreline in under an hour, something a regular boat cannot do. Is Lake Brienz worth visiting? Even on a short stay in Interlaken, its colour alone makes it a highlight.

Bönigen, the starting harbour

Bönigen is a small lakeside village at the western tip of Lake Brienz, where the Lütschine river flows into the lake. Its old wooden chalets, some with carved and painted facades, line a peaceful promenade, and the quay is the base for the jet boats.

How to get to Bönigen from Interlaken is easy: a local bus from Interlaken Ost takes about 10 minutes, or you can walk along the river path in about 30 minutes. Arrive a little early to collect your splash gear, leave large bags behind and enjoy the view across the lake to the mountains before you set off. Parking near the quay is limited, so public transport is the simplest choice in summer.

Giessbach Falls

Halfway along the south shore, the Giessbach stream drops about 500 metres through a series of cascades into Lake Brienz, framed by forest. In the 19th century the falls became one of the first great tourist sights of the region, and a historic funicular, one of the oldest in Europe, still climbs from the lake shore to a viewing terrace.

On the jet-boat ride you see the falls from the water, the angle few visitors get. Spring and early summer, when snowmelt is at its peak, are the best time to see Giessbach Falls at full power; by late autumn the flow is gentler but the autumn colours make up for it.

The south shore and Iseltwald

Between Bönigen and Giessbach the boat follows a wild stretch of the south shore, passing the village of Iseltwald, which sits on a small peninsula with a little island and a tiny castle just offshore. Its wooden jetty and calm bay have become one of the most photographed spots on Lake Brienz.

Here the captain usually slows down to tell you about the fishermen's villages and the mountains above, before opening the throttle again on the open water. Watch for the high peaks behind Interlaken and the Brienzer Rothorn range rising on the north shore. On clear days the snowfields of the Jungfrau region glow above the water, and the contrast between the green cliffs and the turquoise lake makes this the most photogenic part of the ride.

Interlaken between two lakes

Interlaken takes its name from its position between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, linked by the River Aare. The town is the gateway to the Jungfrau region, with views of the snowy Jungfrau summit from the central meadow, and it is the adventure capital of Switzerland. Paragliders drift over the town most days, and trains, buses and lake boats connect it with every corner of the region.

A jet-boat ride is one of the easiest Interlaken activities to fit into a busy day, lasting under an hour and leaving at regular times from midday into the afternoon. Interlaken also has a number of halal-friendly restaurants in the town centre, making it easy to plan lunch or dinner around your ride.