Kayaking, Boating on Okanagan Lake
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Can you hear it? The sound of water running off your paddle as you kayak along Okanagan Lake? It’s a sound I love dearly and I know there are many of you with me on that one. There’s something grounding and exhilarating about being out on the water.
Getting out on the water is one of the best ways to really get that “Kelowna experience”. Our city revolves around the lake – both physically (its lakefront location) and recreationally. Treating yourself or your guests to some water time is memorable and you don’t necessarily need your own gear to do it. Here are some ideas.
Rent a kayak (or two) – Many hotels have kayak rentals available including the Manteo Resort with the on-site Dockside Marine, the Hotel Eldorado, the Delta Grand Resort with the on-site Lakefront Sports Centre, or the Cove Lakeside Resort’s Okanagan Wakeboard School. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to rent a kayak, so head down to the water and get in a good paddle. Kayaks rent anywhere from $15 to $35 per hour (depending on single or double kayaks and location).
One tip: Don’t forget the sunscreen and a hat! The sun’s rays bounce off the water so make sure to cover up.
Rent a boat – You can also rent a motorized boat to explore the surroundings. All the rental outlets mentioned above have boat rentals as well. This will give you the chance to find some of those off-the-beaten-path beaches along the waters’ edge, or satisfy the voyeur in you when you get to see the “beach side” of some beautiful lakefront properties along Okanagan Lake. No matter what catches your eye, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon. Bring your bathing suit and make sure you dive off the boat for a good deep-water swim! Boats rent anywhere from $75 per hour to $190 per hour with a driver, depending on type of boat and location.
Get a guided sailboat tour – Here’s another fabulous way to get out on the water with a little extra adventure. Captain Al Cotton takes people out on his 26’ MacGregor Sailboat through his touring business, Go With The Wind Cruises. When Captain Al isn’t delighting his passengers to a lake cruise, he can often be found docked near the Sails downtown at the foot of Bernard Ave. Reservations are recommended. At $25/per hour/per person (minimum of 2 hours), this experience is one that will stick in your mind as a stand-out summer experience.
Take in a houseboat cruise – There are also houseboat cruises that leave regularly every day, with the houseboats docked near the sails. Some offer dinner/lunch cruises, and for a bigger group or family, this is a great option. Houseboats include the Executive Houseboat Charters, the Kelowna Princess II, and the Okanagan Princess. For more information on lake tours, one great resource is the Visitor Centre at (250) 861-1515. The Visitor Centre staff is very knowledgable about the various activities available, and can help you find the perfect one for you.
Bottom line: we don’t know how lucky we are to have this beautiful lake right here in our backyard. Think of all the different activities we enjoy in or on the lake: swimming, scuba diving, paddling, sailing, boating, jet-skiing, kite surfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, heck – even trail riding on horseback right into it! There are lots of ways to get out onto it, and the lake will reward you for it.
A rider swims with her horse in Okanagan Lake during a Lake Okanagan Resort Stables' trail ride.
