Okanagan Lake

Okanagan Lake is a big hub for summertime outdoor recreation in Kelowna and the surrounding areas, and there are all sorts of ways to take part. You can reserve a pontoon or sailboat and have a captain and crew take you out on the lake for a private adventure. For something a bit more thrilling, consider booking a parasailing adventure instead.

• A sailing trip on Okanagan Lake is a popular choice for couples.

• Tours provide life jackets, and you should always wear yours, even if the water is calm.

• Most experiences on the lake are not wheelchair-friendly, but some lakeside parks in Kelowna are.

Okanagan Lake is huge, with lots of access points on both sides of the shore. Many of Kelowna's city buses stop nearby, including line 8, which stops near the Burne Avenue Beach Access point. The Queensway Exchange transit center is near the lake, too. If you want to visit parts of the lake that are away from town, your best bet is to rent a car or book private transportation.

Okanagan Lake is a summer destination, and the best time to go for water sports is in July and August, when temperatures are at their highest. June and September weather is also usually quite pleasant, but it can be a bit unpredictable at times.

For a different experience of nature in Kelowna, head to Kasugai Gardens, a compact Japanese garden in the city center. This seasonal garden—named for Kelowna’s sister city in Japan—is open from spring to fall, and its tranquil setting is enhanced by waterfall features, a koi pond, lanterns, and lots of beautiful ornamental shrubbery.