WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT

GENEVABOATS – boat rentals on Geneva Lake

by Chené Koscielny

In summer, the best place to be, in Geneva, is either in or on the lake, on a boat, with the breeze caressing your hair, and the water lapping the sides of the boat, while you embrace the stunning view. Bliss.

We talk to Balthazar, of Genevaboats, well-known boating company, about the coolest boating trends on the lake, and what your options are if you don’t own a boat.

For more ideas about what to do this summer – read our SUMMER GUIDE TO GENEVA.

THE LATEST CRAZE: WAKE-SURFING

Wake-surfing – is the latest big thing on the water during Summer 2019, according to Balthazar. Hybrid between surfing and wake-boarding, you literally surf the waves behind the boat – without being towed by a rope. It looks pretty cool! Genevaboats offers a wakesurf cruise, with all the necessary equipment included, and an experienced skipper – and you can even combine your boat trip with a lunch stop at a lakeside restaurant.

COSTS: Starts from CHF 390.- per hour, price for the boat, all included, with tax, skipper and fuel, for 7 passengers.

TUBING, WATER-SKIING AND SWIMMING

Besides that, always popular is water-skiing and tubing – being pulled around the lake on an large inflated buoy behind the boat. But if you prefer to chill, you can enjoy sunbathing and dipping into the lake for a swim every now and then to cool off. Bring along a group of friends, combine this with a lakeside lunch, or get Genevaboats to provide you with a few picnic baskets and drinks.

The company can provide wetsuits and equipment, included in the boat price.

COSTS: Starts from CHF390/per hour for 7 passengers.

SAILING EXPERIENCE

If you can’t sail, but want to have a taste of it – you can enjoy a sailing experience on one of the Genevaboats sailing boats with an experienced skipper.

COSTS: Starts from CHF 180.- per hour all included.

PRIVATE CRUISE WITH FRIENDS

If you’re not that adventurous, and just want to enjoy the stunning panoramas, and maybe watch the sun slide into the lake at sunset, opt for a cruise with friends on any boat or yacht of your choice at any speed!

Enjoy lunch on board, or stop at one of the popular lakeside lunch spots along the lake, on Swiss or French lakesides, anywhere between Geneva, Montreux or Lausanne. With Genevaboats you get an experienced pilot/skipper, who speaks English at the helm, and if you want, picnic baskets and even magicians or musicians for parties! This could also be a great option for a corporate function or honeymoon cruise.

COSTS: Starts from CHF 450 per hour for the boat with pilot, all included

FISHING – CATCH YOUR LUNCH

How about catching your own lunch? The lake is abundant with perches, white fish, and pike, and Genevaboats will take you out for a fishing experience, taking you to the best spots, equipment included.

Cabin fishing boat: up to 7 passengers, equipped with GPS, fish-finder, downriggers, trolling rods, planner boards, nets, lures, bathing ladder. Minimum rental 2 hours.

Boarding between Geneva and Nyon, right or left lakesides, at the place of your choice.

COSTS: CHF 250 per hour with pilot / guide, all included, fishing rods and equipment provided.

CHARTER YOUR OWN BOAT

You already have a boat license (Swiss, French, Italian or German) but no boat? No problem. Charter your own boat for half a day, or a day, and bring it back with a full tank when you’ve had your stake of lake pleasures.

COSTS: Starts from CHF700 per day.

Although some of these options may appear out of reach for the average budget, you can combine a group of friends or family and club in together for a brilliant day out.

OUR VERDICT

I’ve been out on the Azimut Atlantis 55 (17 meters, largest fast motorboat for rent on Lake Geneva) for a spin across the lake, before stopping at Les Voiles for an al fresco lunch, and I have to say it was one of my most memorable experiences on Lake Geneva. The boat is equipped with a big open living room, toilets and shower room, large kitchen, and has huge spaces for sunbathing on the back or the front of the boat. We were 12 persons, and we enjoyed champagne and snacks on board. It never felt crowded, and has been a truly luxury experience. Balthazar, the owner of the company, who runs the business, was our skipper, and he couldn’t have been friendlier and helpful. I had a whale of a time.