St. Peter's Island

Island Idyllic lake island with medieval monastery ruins

St. Peter’s Island in Lake Biel offers walking trails, shoreline access and monastery ruins; visitors arrive by boat for short hikes and lake views.

Main image

St. Peter’s Island is a small island in Lake Biel (Bielersee) in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. It is known locally as St. Petersinsel / Île Saint-Pierre and is a recreational and natural area on the lake.

On the island visitors find walking paths, shoreline suitable for swimming in summer, and open landscapes used for picnics and birdwatching. The terrain is compact enough to explore on foot within a few hours and offers panoramic views across Lake Biel to the surrounding hills.

The island has a long history of human use including religious and rural activities; historic buildings and archaeological remains are present on the site. Over time it has shifted from agricultural and monastic use to protected recreational and nature-conservation functions.

Geographically the island lies in the western basin of Lake Biel, off the lake shore near the town of Erlach/Biel in the Bernese Seeland region. Boat services and lakeside access points from nearby towns provide the usual routes onto the island.

St. Peter's Island
47.0719, 7.1430

How to Get to St. Peter's Island #

Regular commuter and tourist boats on Lake Thun stop at the island during summer months; embarkation points include nearby lakeside towns-consult the regional boat operator timetable for seasonal runs.

Tips for Visiting St. Peter's Island #

  • Take a boat from nearby portals on Lake Thun-check schedules for summer services that stop at the island.
  • Explore the ruins and lakeside paths; the island's slopes are gentle but can be slippery after rain.
  • Combine the visit with a paddle or boat trip on the lake to enjoy views of the Bernese Alps.

Best Time to Visit St. Peter's Island #

Visit in summer for easiest access via lake boats; shoulder seasons offer quieter visits but shorter service timetables.

Summer
June-September · 15-25°C
Best time for boat access and strolling the island paths in pleasant weather.
Late spring / Early autumn
May, September-October · 10-18°C
Fewer visitors and good light for photography of the island and lake.

Weather & Climate near St. Peter's Island #

Climate

St. Peter's Island's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (921 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

56 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

96 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.9h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 97 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.7h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

88 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.3h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 19°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
14°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.3h daylight

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