Okanagan beaches were named the #2 "Best Beaches in Canada" in TripAdvisor's 2011 Readers Choice Awards.
The Okanagan Valley is the warmest and driest part of BC, with pockets of semi-arid desert as well as Canada's only true desert. It also contains an enormous number of lakes, most of which are warm and wonderful swimming destinations.
Beach and water sports of every description are played here and, with gorgeous lake, orchard and mountain views everywhere you look, picnicking is practically mandatory.
For family fun close to lots of conveniences and amenities, visit the city beaches in Kelowna, Penticton and Osoyoos. If you prefer to leave the city behind, opt for a provincial park such as Haynes Point or Shuswap Lake. The best time for sunning and swimming in this region is from June through September.
Kelowna Beaches
With 22 beachfront-access parks, Kelowna is a summer destination hotspot. Grassy picnic areas, playgrounds, washrooms and concession stands are within easy reach of most beaches. You can also rent power boats, Jet Skis®, windsurfers and even houseboats to step up the fun factor. City Park Beach, with its whimsical water park, playground, clean sand and grassy lawns, is a particularly popular beach with families.
Other activities that take place on or around the city's beaches are beach volleyball, skateboarding, field sports, tennis and paddle boating. City Park Beach is located in downtown Kelowna.
Penticton Beaches
The city of Penticton is located between two warm-water lakes on a 3.5-km/2-mi delta. These lakes, combined with a semi-arid desert climate, make it a popular vacation spot.
At the city's north end are the soft, pale-brown sands of Okanagan Beach, which is close to downtown and features a busy promenade and a giant peach-shaped concession stand. You can also rent bikes. The firmer red sands of Skaha Beach are at the city's south end. It features shade trees, a concession stand, boat and Jet Ski® rentals, a marina, an amusement centre, a children's water park as well as waterskiing and parasailing lessons. Head to Rotary Park for parasailing and waterskiing lessons in the north end.
Penticton is a 45-minute drive south from Kelowna via Highway 97.
Osoyoos Beaches
The lakes around Osoyoos are some of the warmest in Canada, which is an irresistible draw for thousands of vacationers every year. In the city there's Gyro Beach & Community Park, Kinsmen Beach and Lions Centennial Park. You can swim, parasail and picnic on these beaches without leaving urban conveniences too far behind.
Haynes Point Provincial Park, 2km/1.2mi south of Osoyoos, is a true desert; its sunny beaches are a big draw for swimmers, boaters and anglers. In town or out, the views are wonderful: fruit trees, woodlands and steep mountains.
Osoyoos is a 45-minute drive south from Penticton via Highway 97. Haynes Point Provincial Park is located just south of Osoyoos, off Highway 97.
The Shuswap Area
The Shuswap contains some 700km/435mi of shoreline, much of it sandy beach suitable for sunbathing and picnicking. The warm waters of Shuswap Lake are ideal for almost any kind of recreational water activity.
Popular swimming spots in the area include Gardom Lake Park, Sorrento Centre, Herald Provincial Park and Narrows Village Beach. Canoe Public Beach in Salmon Arm and Sicamous Sands Public Beach Park in Sicamous are terrific family beaches with many conveniences and amenities. The area is also an extremely popular houseboating destination.
Shuswap Lake Provincial Park has a 1km/0.6mi beach that offers a grassy play area, adventure playground, large boat launch and self-guided nature trail. Shuswap Lake Marine Provincial Park is comprised of 26 sites, all of which are popular for water sports. Most sites are water-access only.
The Shuswap area is a one-hour drive east from Kamloops via Highway 1.
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