Located between two beautiful fresh-water lakes, Penticton has, for generations, been famous for its sunny beaches and sparkling water. On a hot summer’s day, families can beat the heat on Okanagan Lake at the north end of Penticton or dive into Skaha Lake at the south end of Penticton.
In Penticton, your only worry is deciding what to do next! Choose from any one of Penticton’s local beaches where family members of all ages have a multitude of activities to revel in.
Okanagan Lake Beaches in Penticton, BC
Home of the legendary lake monster, Ogopogo, Okanagan Lake is a place for families to spend endless hours of summer fun. Along the beachfront, slides, rafts, splash parks, concession stands, including the famous "Peach on the Beach", and marinas are all available for a memorable summer beach day in Penticton! More adventurous families can visit several beaches along Okanagan Lake to indulge in family water activities such as waterskiing, parasailing, paddle boating, jet skiing, canoeing and kayaking, windsurfing, kite surfing and much more.
Moored at the Okanagan Lake Marina, the Casabella Princess paddle wheeler provides stunning views and local folklore on its popular one-hour narrated cruise as well as special event packages that include dinner and entertainment. Sailing lessons, tours and charters originate here.
Okanagan Lake also has a beautiful "boardwalk" that stretches from the SS Sicamous to the Penticton Lakeside Resort called the Kiwanis Promenade. Penticton beaches are wonderful for basking in the sun, but walking along them can be a real pleasure as well.
Skaha Lake Beaches in Penticton, BC
Skaha Lake is the smaller of the two lakes but it’s big on fun. From boat rentals to playgrounds, this area of Penticton is a family favourite in the summer time. Spend the day sunbathing or strolling the promenade along Skaha Beach. At the east end of the beach you'll find the Skaha Solar Timepiece, technically called an analemmatic sundial. You need to use your entire body to tell the time... and it really works! The Skaha Marina has a boat launch area. For boat rentals, check out South Beach Rentals for a variety of recreational watercrafts.
Okanagan River Channel
For an afternoon of R&R, float your way down the Okanagan River Channel on an inner-tube. Drifting leisurely down the Okanagan River Channel is a popular local pastime and a great way to spend a relaxing afternoon. This man-made, seven kilometre long waterway was engineered in the 1950s to control flooding and flows south from Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake. Bring your own flotation device or rent one from Coyote Cruises in Riverside Park. A shuttle service from the mid-point or end of the channel is offered for carefree cruising.
The beach activities your family can enjoy in Penticton are infinite! The children’s water park and amusement centre offer many fun beach and family outdoor adventure activities where the kids can play hard, while you relax and enjoy your perfect summer family vacation. When the beaches of Penticton are only a short drive from anywhere in BC, Alberta and Washington State, why spend your summer family vacation anywhere else!