Quick Summary
For a short paddle trip from Kelowna, try Wood Lake, Kalamalka Lake at Kaloya or Kekuli Bay, Bear Creek, Bertram Creek or Peachland. Each offers a different shoreline to explore. Choose for the conditions and your ability, then check access before leaving.
- Wood Lake, Pelmewash Parkway: several public hand-launch locations.
- Kaloya Regional Park: a southern Kalamalka Lake outing near Oyama.
- Kekuli Bay: another Kalamalka Lake option, farther north.
- Bear Creek: Okanagan Lake beach time on the west side.
- Bertram Creek: a lakeside park in south Kelowna.
- Peachland: combine a paddle with a waterfront visit.
These are our picks for paddle boarding within roughly one hour's drive of central Kelowna in normal traffic. This is a driving-time guide, not a one-hour paddle route. Travel times below are approximate planning estimates, not live route calculations. Check your route on the day, especially when crossing the bridge or travelling Highway 97.
1. Wood Lake Along Pelmewash Parkway
Approximate drive: 25 to 40 minutes.
Wood Lake gives you a change of scenery without a long day trip. Pelmewash Parkway follows its western shore, and the District of Lake Country lists multiple hand-launch locations for non-motorized watercraft.
- Best for: choosing a short shoreline paddle from a public access point.
- Access: use a designated hand-launch location and legal parking.
- Watch for: wind, boat wakes and limited parking at some access points.
Use the District's launch directory to plan your starting point. A smaller lake is not automatically calm.
2. Kalamalka Lake at Kaloya Regional Park
Approximate drive: 35 to 45 minutes.
Kaloya is a scenic option at the southern end of Kalamalka Lake near Oyama. It suits a lake-and-park outing when you'd rather explore beyond Kelowna's usual beaches. Keep your paddle near a suitable return point rather than planning an ambitious crossing.
- Best for: a short outing on southern Kalamalka Lake.
- Access: confirm permitted launch access and follow posted signs.
- Watch for: marked swimming areas, changing wind and other lake users.
Check RDCO's Kaloya park information before visiting. Keep watercraft out of restricted swimming areas.
3. Kalamalka Lake at Kekuli Bay
Approximate drive: 45 to 60 minutes.
Kekuli Bay sits on Kalamalka Lake's western shore, south of Vernon. It's a useful alternative to Oyama if you want a different starting point. BC Parks permits canoeing and kayaking on the lake and identifies a boat launch at the park.
- Best for: a longer drive with time to enjoy the lakeshore.
- Access: use permitted access without blocking the working boat ramp.
- Watch for: rocky shore, motorboat traffic and busy summer parking.
Review BC Parks' Kekuli Bay information for current access and advisories. Allow extra time on summer weekends.
4. Bear Creek Provincial Park
Approximate drive: 15 to 30 minutes.
Across the bridge and along Westside Road, Bear Creek offers a sandy Okanagan Lake shoreline. It's a good pick when you want a paddle with beach time afterwards, rather than a full day spent driving.
- Best for: a west-side lake outing with a beach break.
- Access: follow park directions and use permitted beach access.
- Watch for: marked swimming areas, summer crowds and changing lake conditions.
Check Bear Creek's park page before travelling. The lake can become rough even when the beach looks inviting.
5. Bertram Creek Regional Park
Approximate drive: 20 to 35 minutes.
Bertram Creek is a south Kelowna option for combining nearshore paddling with time in a lakeside park. Choose a manageable route and keep access clear for other visitors.
- Best for: staying close to Kelowna while enjoying a different shoreline.
- Access: check the park's current access arrangements before unloading.
- Watch for: local closures, swimmers and wind exposure.
October 2026 access note: RDCO announced bridge replacement beginning October 5, with localized closures and completion expected by mid-October. The rest of the park is expected to remain open. Depending on when you read this, the work may be finished. Check the official construction notice and current signs.
6. Peachland's Okanagan Lake Waterfront
Approximate drive: 25 to 40 minutes.
Peachland works well when you want a paddle followed by a waterfront walk or lunch. The District lists a public launch at Beach Avenue and 8th Street in Strachan Bay.
- Best for: combining a paddle with a small-town waterfront visit.
- Access: confirm suitable hand-launch arrangements at the public launch.
- Watch for: launch traffic, exposed water and local parking restrictions.
See the official Beach Avenue launch details. Keep clear of boats using the ramp and don't treat marked swim areas as launch lanes.
Before You Go
- Check the forecast, current access and conditions at the shoreline.
- Wear a properly fitted PFD and carry the required safety equipment.
- Choose a route within your ability, paddle with company and tell someone your return plan.
- Dress for the water temperature, bring water and keep paddling alcohol-free.
- Clean, drain and dry your board and equipment between lakes.
Our paddle boarding checklist helps with packing. For more options close to town, read our Kelowna and West Kelowna paddling guide.
Need a Board or Some Instruction?
Book a Kelowna paddle board rental for an independent outing, or compare West Kelowna rentals if you're staying across the lake. Standard rentals involve transporting and setting up the equipment yourself.
New to SUP? Start with a beginner lesson before planning an independent lake trip. Prefer someone else to choose the route? Our guided SUP tour offers a separate Kelowna outing, rather than a tour of every location in this guide.
