Pedal Boats in Yvonand: a family outing on Lake Neuchâtel

By the big beach of Yvonand

Yvonand is lucky to have one of the finest sandy beaches on Lake Neuchâtel. By the water, you can rent a pedalo within minutes and glide gently away from the shore, facing the Alps and the Jura. It's one of the simplest and most joyful summer outings to enjoy as a family: nothing to bring, just the urge to pedal together, enjoy the water and, on some models, slide into the lake down a little chute.

What your children will discover

As soon as they put their feet on the pedals, the children take charge: they steer, speed up, aim for a buoy in the distance and watch the sailing boats go by. On some pedalos, a little chute lets you slide straight into the water (depending on the operator and the weather), to the children's great delight. It's a gentle, sensory activity that builds coordination and quickly gives a sense of pride: "I'm the one driving."

What you do there and the atmosphere on site

The mood is that of the beaches of Lake Neuchâtel on fine days: relaxed, family-friendly, feet in the sand. You pick up your pedalo by the water, put on the life jackets (provided), and set off at your own pace for half an hour or an hour. You stop to watch the waterbirds, swim from the pedalo or down the chute, then head back to relax on the sandy beach.

Before you go

• Recommended age: for everyone, from the youngest with an accompanying adult; life jackets provided.
• Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour is usually enough with young children.
• Booking and prices: rates to be confirmed on the watersports bases' official websites; for a family, you generally turn up on site in the warm season.
• Stroller access: the area around the beach is accessible; boarding from the water's edge (sand).
• Transport: Yvonand station, then a few minutes' walk to the port and the beach.
• What to bring: sunscreen, a cap, water, and a change of clothes (you often end up in the water).
• Best season: from spring (mostly weekends) to autumn, in fine weather.

Parents' tips

• Aim for late afternoon: the light on the lake is beautiful and the heat eases.
• Put the life jackets on at boarding and set a simple rule ("we stay near the shore").
• Ask for a pedalo with a chute if your children want to swim from the boat.
• Check hours and prices on the official websites before you come, and have cash or a card ready.
• If you enjoyed it, keep the fun going another day with another fine ride on the water.

Useful information

• Address: Port d'Yvonand and Camping VD8, 1462 Yvonand.
• Operators: Base Nautique Les Vikings (Port d'Yvonand) and La Base – Surf Center VD8 (Camping VD8).
• Official website: lesvikings.ch and labase-vd8surfcenter.ch (up-to-date hours and prices).
• Opening hours: seasonal; to be confirmed on the official websites before you go.
• Access: Yvonand station then a few minutes' walk; parking near the beach.

Why we recommend it

Because it's the quintessential summer outing on Lake Neuchâtel: zero organisation, a modest budget, and the immediate pleasure of being on the water as a family, on one of the finest sandy beaches in the region. The pedalo wins everyone over — the little ones love to "drive" and slide down the chute, the grown-ups unwind — and it pairs perfectly with a swim or a sandcastle.

In a nutshell

A pedalo ride on Lake Neuchâtel in Yvonand, sometimes with a chute: the simplest and most refreshing summer outing for families, with your feet in the sand.