Cheese platter by Boat on Lake Thun, Interlaken

Lake Thun turns a simple cheese tasting into a quiet hour on the water. You leave from Sigriswil, cruise toward Merligen, and stop at a pleasant spot for Swiss hard and soft cheeses while the lake and mountain views do the talking. I like the small-boat setting and the chance to hear about Lake Thun as you go. I also like that Captain Chris is named as the skipper, giving the outing a more personal feel than a standard sightseeing boat.

The main thing to check is the group size. The tour is promoted as capped at six people, but the detailed description says groups can range from 2 to 12. At $316.91 per person for about an hour, this makes the most sense for a private celebration or a group that values the boat setting more than a bargain snack.

Key points at a glance

• Lake Thun by small private boat: Cruise away from the usual bar scene and enjoy the lake at a slower pace.
• Departure from Sigriswil: The meeting point is Beir Säge, at 3658 Sigriswil, not central Interlaken.
• Two Swiss cheeses: The tasting includes one Swiss hard cheese and one Swiss soft cheese.
• Merligen stop: The boat heads toward Merligen before finding a suitable place to enjoy the food.
• Captain Chris at the helm: The named captain is praised for creating a pleasant, personal outing.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, but the standard booking is non-refundable.

Why a cheese platter works so well on Lake Thun

A cheese tasting can feel ordinary indoors. Put it on a boat, with the shoreline slipping by and no rush to order another drink, and the mood changes. This outing is built around that simple idea: a short cruise, a chosen food stop, and time to enjoy the setting.

You are not signing up for a full meal or a long lake voyage. The tour lasts about one hour, so think of it as an early-evening treat rather than a major half-day activity. That short length is useful if you have spent the day hiking, sightseeing, or riding mountain transport and want something restful before dinner.

I especially like the way the food is tied to place. The menu is small, with Swiss hard cheese and Swiss soft cheese, but that is enough for a focused tasting. You get a chance to notice the difference in texture and flavor instead of sorting through a large buffet.

The experience also offers a change from Interlaken’s busy evening routine. The highlights describe it as an alternative to the bars, and that is its clearest appeal. You can begin an evening with fresh air, open water, and a captain-led ride rather than loud music and crowded tables.

Leaving Beir Säge in Sigriswil

The meeting point is Beir Säge, 3658 Sigriswil. This detail matters. The title connects the activity with Interlaken, but the actual start is in Sigriswil, on the northern side of Lake Thun. You should plan your route to the meeting point carefully rather than assume you can walk over from central Interlaken.

The location is near public transportation, which helps, but the supplied details do not give a precise bus route or travel time. I would check your transport connection before booking, especially if you are fitting this around a hotel stay in Interlaken or Unterseen.

Once you arrive, the boat tour begins from the meeting point and returns there at the end. That makes the outing easier to manage than an open-ended cruise from one town to another. You are not left figuring out how to get back after the cheese stop.

The departure point also gives the outing a more local feel. Instead of joining a large public sightseeing vessel at a central pier, you meet the operator directly and board for a private activity. The tradeoff is that you have less flexibility if Sigriswil is inconvenient for your schedule.

Cruising toward Merligen

The planned route takes you along Lake Thun toward Merligen. The tour description does not promise a fixed sightseeing circuit, and that is intentional. The boat cruises until the captain finds a pleasant spot for the food rather than following a rigid sequence of landmarks.

That flexible route is a good fit for a small private boat. Captain Chris can focus on the conditions and the feel of the lake that day, while you settle into the ride. The cruise includes information about Lake Thun’s geography and history, so you are not simply sitting in silence with a plate of cheese.

Lake Thun is a glacial lake, and the waterway is the main attraction here. You can expect the scenery to do much of the work, with views across the lake and toward the surrounding Swiss mountains. The exact view will depend on the weather and where the boat stops, so it is better to book this for the calm setting than for one guaranteed photo angle.

Merligen is listed as the route’s stop. The boat heads in that direction, but the details do not promise a landing or a walking visit in town. Treat Merligen as part of the cruise route, not as a separate sightseeing stop with free time on shore.

The cheese tasting on board

The included platter has two listed starters: Swiss hard cheese and Swiss soft cheese. The menu is intentionally modest. This is a tasting served during a boat ride, not a multi-course dinner.

I see that as both a strength and a limitation. The small menu keeps the focus on the lake and avoids turning a one-hour outing into a formal meal. On the other hand, if you arrive hungry, you should plan to eat before or after the cruise. The information provided does not list bread, fruit, dessert, or a larger meal.

The tour also highlights local cheese and wine selected by the guides. Alcohol is not included, so do not assume your booking covers wine. The food is part of the price, while alcoholic drinks are separate.

For many people, the best use of the cheese platter will be as a light start to the evening. You can sample the two styles, ask about what you are eating, and enjoy the view without committing to a long restaurant dinner. If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied details do not list substitutions or special menus, so ask the operator before booking.

A small boat and a personal captain

The most appealing part of this activity is its scale. It is described as a private tour, meaning only your group participates. The promotional highlights mention a maximum of six people, while the full description gives a range of two to twelve.

That difference is worth sorting out before you pay. Six people or fewer would create the intimate boat ride the tour seems designed to offer. A group of twelve would feel more social and less private, even if it remains separate from other bookings.

Captain Chris is identified as the captain, and the available feedback specifically praises him for making the outing a lovely way to end a busy day. That personal touch matters more on a one-hour tour than it might on a large public cruise. You are paying for the boat, the route, the food, and the captain’s attention in a compact package.

The activity is offered in English. The tour includes explanations about Lake Thun, its geography, and its history, so you should be able to follow the spoken part if English is comfortable for you.

Is $316.91 per person a fair price?

At $316.91 per person, this is an expensive one-hour activity. I would not call it a value choice if you are comparing it with a public lake cruise or a cheese plate at a restaurant.

The price becomes easier to understand if you are booking for a special occasion and want a private boat rather than a standard ticket. You are paying for a short charter-style outing, fuel, a captain, and food. Fuel costs are included, and the boat tour and cheese platter are included as well.

Still, the time is limited. At roughly one hour, you should decide if the boat setting is the main point. If your priority is tasting Swiss cheese, you can find less costly ways to do that. If your priority is a quiet private ride on Lake Thun with food served on board, the price may feel worthwhile for a birthday, anniversary, proposal-related celebration, or memorable final evening.

The group arrangement also affects value. A private group sharing the cost may find the experience more reasonable than one person paying the full per-person rate. Ask about the actual group limit and what wine arrangements are possible before confirming.

The best time to fit it into your day

The outing is designed to work as a relaxing start to an evening in Unterseen or Interlaken. Its short duration makes it easy to place after daytime sightseeing, though you need to allow time to reach Sigriswil and return there.

I would avoid stacking it tightly against another reservation. The boat needs good weather, and the route includes a flexible stop rather than a fixed indoor schedule. Give yourself room before dinner, especially since the meeting point is outside central Interlaken.

The one-hour length is also useful for people who do not want a long cruise. You get a taste of Lake Thun without giving up an entire afternoon. Families, couples, and small groups can enjoy the change of pace, though the price may be harder to justify for a casual family snack.

Weather, cancellation, and practical limits

Good weather is required. If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is reassuring for a boat outing, but the standard cancellation rule is strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons.

I would only book once your plans are firm and the forecast looks promising. A bad-weather refund is covered, but a change of mind, schedule conflict, or missed connection is not.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation. No specific mobility details are provided, so if you need help boarding the boat or have mobility concerns, contact Boat Tour Interlaken before booking.

Confirmation is sent at the time of booking. Keep the meeting address handy, since the correct start is Beir Säge in Sigriswil.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

I would recommend this for couples and small groups who care more about atmosphere than quantity. It suits someone looking for a calm alternative to nightlife, especially after a full day around Interlaken.

It is also a good match for people who enjoy local food in a simple setting. The cheese menu is not large, but the boat gives it a sense of occasion. Captain Chris’s personal approach adds to that appeal.

I would hesitate if you want a long sightseeing cruise, a full dinner, or a low-cost way to sample Swiss cheese. I would also pause if you are staying in central Interlaken and do not want to arrange transport to Sigriswil.

The group-size wording deserves attention. If the small-group limit is important to you, confirm whether your booking will have no more than six people. That single detail can change the feel of the outing.

Should you book Cheese Platter by Boat on Lake Thun?

Book it if you want a short, private-feeling boat ride with cheese, English commentary, and a peaceful start to the evening. The strongest reasons are the small-boat setting, the return to the same meeting point, and the personal service associated with Captain Chris.

Skip it if the $316.91 price feels high for one hour, if you want a substantial meal, or if reaching Sigriswil is inconvenient. Check the group size, alcohol arrangements, and weather before committing. For a special occasion, the boat itself is the point. For a simple snack, it is probably more than you need.

FAQ

How long does the boat and cheese experience last?

The activity lasts approximately one hour.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Beir Säge, 3658 Sigriswil, Switzerland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Sigriswil.

Does the boat go to Merligen?

Merligen is listed as the tour stop and part of the route along Lake Thun. The details do not specify a shore visit or walking time in Merligen.

What food is included?

The included cheese platter lists Swiss hard cheese and Swiss soft cheese.

Is wine included in the price?

No. Alcohol is not included. The tour information says local cheese and wine are selected by the guides, but alcoholic drinks are listed separately from the included items.

What does the price include?

The price includes the cheese platter, the boat tour, and fuel costs.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity is described as private for your group. Its highlights mention a cap of six people, while the detailed description says groups may range from 2 to 12. Confirm the applicable group size when booking.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. The normal booking is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed.