Okanagan Lake at a glance
Peachland is on the west shore of Okanagan Lake, with Kelowna to the north and Penticton to the south. The town has a pebble swimming beach, a regional park beach and a public dock, so most visitors meet the lake on foot.
A day on the lake can mean swimming, paddling or renting a boat. If you want a boat, read the boat rental page first, because motorboat rules differ from those for kayaks and paddleboards.
Our pick: parasailing over the lake
A short way to see the shoreline from above if you would rather not rent a boat.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Okanagan Lake tours and boat trips
Boat trips, paddling and lake-view tours around Peachland and Kelowna, with live prices and availability.
How deep is Okanagan Lake?
The lake is about 135 km long and up to 232 m deep. Those are rounded figures, so depth varies from spot to spot.
The lake and the wine region are not the same thing. The valley and its wine region cover a larger area than the lake itself. See the Okanagan Valley page for the wider picture.
Swimming at Peachland
Check the signs each time.
Swim Bay
Pebble beach at Beach Avenue and 6th Street, with a marked swimming zone, toilets, docks and water play equipment. The 2026 lifeguard season ran 15 June to 28 August, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. A wildfire emergency can pause the service. Children under 12 need an adult, and children under 6 stay within arm's length. Boats, paddleboards, kayaks and inflatables stay out of the swimming zone, and glass, alcohol, smoking and open fires are not allowed. Groups of more than 20 need a rental permit during guarded hours.
Antlers Beach
A regional park at the mouth of the creek with parking and picnic areas, toilets and a marked swimming area. Check posted notices for the water and do not count on lifeguards.
How water quality works
Beach operators monitor the water during the swimming season, but a sample is not a live reading. A single sample of 235 E. coli per 100 ml or more can lead to follow-up steps. That is not the same as a swimming ban. Look for posted notices at the beach.
The beaches page compares the two beaches in more detail. Rattlesnake Island is a rocky, shallow landmark across from Peachland. Do not plan to land there or swim out to it.
Boating on Okanagan Lake
A motorboat operator needs proof of competence. For visitors that can be the Pleasure Craft Operator Card, a completed rental boat checklist for the length of the rental, or proof that meets the rules of your home country. A boat with no motor does not need it.
Wear a life jacket and check the weather and the required equipment before you leave. At the municipal day dock there is no overnight mooring. Go slowly near ramps, docks and swimming areas. Municipal boat ramps can close during a wildfire emergency, so check before you tow a boat.
The Syilx lake being and Ogopogo
Outsiders use the name Ogopogo. The Okanagan Nation Alliance describes n̓x̌aʔx̌ʔítkʷ as a sacred being in the water, the spirit of the lake, and spells it in other ways as well. For the Syilx it is a teaching, not a tourist monster. Treat the story as a legend and with respect. No tour or boat trip can promise a sighting.
For the people and their history on this shore, see the history of Peachland.
Okanagan Lake: frequently asked questions
Is Okanagan Lake safe to swim in?
Swim Bay and Antlers Beach have marked swimming areas in summer. Water quality changes, and lifeguards are seasonal. Follow posted notices and do not swim during a smoke or fire emergency.
How long is Okanagan Lake?
About 135 km, with a depth of up to about 232 m.
Do I need a licence to rent a boat?
For a motorboat, you need proof of competence. That can be a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, a completed rental checklist or proof from your home country that meets the rules. A boat without a motor does not need it.
Is the lake the same as the Okanagan Valley?
No. The lake lies in the valley, but the valley and its wine region cover a larger area.
Can I see Ogopogo?
Ogopogo is a legend, and the Syilx lake being is a sacred teaching. No sighting can be promised.