It’s hard to go wrong with beaches in Penticton. Truly we are blessed with so many stunning beaches. They are clean, well-maintained and each and every one has beautiful views. There’s a beach for everyone! Don’t want any tan lines? We’ve got a beach for you! Here is a roundup of all the Penticton beaches so you can pick which one is best for your fun day in the sun.
First, an essential geography lesson. Penticton has two lakes. Yes, two lakes! And each lake has a selection of beaches to pick from. Skaha Lake is in the South side of town with access points from Penticton, Kaleden and Okanagan Falls. Lake Okanagan is in the North with access points from Penticton, Naramata, Summerland, Peachland, Kelowna and all the way up to Vernon. Because Lake Okanagan is so much bigger than Skaha Lake it tends to be a bit cooler and busier. But as you will discover, both lakes have so much to offer when it comes to a sandy, sunny beach day in Penticton.
Penticton beaches on Skaha Lake
Skaha Beach
Location: 360 Sudbury Ave, Penticton
Skaha Beach is one of my personal favourite Penticton beaches. The sand is so clean, the walkout to the water is long and shallow so you can ease in gently. There are slides in the water for kids and floating docks. The water is calm and warm – especially in the late summer! There are a few trees along the beach but not a ton so if shade is important definitely bring an umbrella or other shade tent.
Because Shaka Beach is in Skaha Lake Park there are also playgrounds, beach volleyball courts and tennis courts for those looking to play some sports.
Read my full review of Skaha Beach
Sudbury Beach
Location: 380 Sudbury Ave, Penticton – on Skaha Lake a bit west of Skaha Beach
Sudbury Beach is the other beach in Penticton on Skaha Lake. In fact it is right on the other side of Skaha Lake Park so it shares a lot of the same features. It has a huge beach with warm water and clean sand. It has its own concession stand as well as a place where you can rent paddle boards and kayaks. There is a floating dock to jump off and slides in the water for kids. When it is windy there are often kite surfers launching from here so also good for an interesting show.
Activities at Sudbury Beach
- Rent paddle boards and kayaks from Glow SUP Adventures
- Floating dock
- Slides in the water
- Kite surfing (No rentals – bring your own gear!)
Food and drinks at Sudbury Beach:
- Sudbury Beach Café in the concession stand
Penticton beaches on Lake Okanagan
Okanagan Beach
Location: Lake Okanagan – just drive to the very North end of town until you hit the lake!
Okanagan Beach is the quintessential beach in Penticton. It stretches nearly a kilometre from the iconic Penticton Peach all the way to the SS Sicamous along Lake Okanagan. There is a beautiful promenade along the entire beach for walking, biking, scootering, rollerblading or whatever your preferred mode of beach leisure transportation is. Okanagan Beach is also well-located because it is right next to downtown Penticton so it is close to plenty of activities. Lakeshore drive itself is also bustling with motels, restaurants and ice cream shops.
Read my full review of Okanagan Beach
Okanagan Lake Park Beach
Location: 86 Lakeshore Dr E, Penticton
Okanagan Lake Park Beach is another Penticton beach on Lake Okanagan. It is just down the road from the main Lake Okanagan Beach but it is much smaller and much less chaotic. There is a small sandy area for humans as well as a fenced off beach area just for dogs. There is also day moorage for boats here as well as a few restaurants nearby (The Barking Parrot and the Hooded Merganser, both located in Penticton Lakeside Resort).
If parasailing is what you are after then this is the beach for you. You can organize parasailing and rent a variety of other water sport accessories at Castaway Sports at Okanagan Lake Park Beach.
There is no free parking here (except on the street on Sundays).
Marina Way Beach
Location: 267 Marina Way, Penticton
Marina Way Beach is a small sandy beach on Lake Okanagan. It is right next to the Art Gallery as well as the Japanese Garden so it can be nice to combine with those activities. There are bathrooms available seasonally and boat rentals at the marina by Penticton Boat Club & Rentals. The only food on this beach is from the Prague Cafe, which is a fantastic spot in Penticton for coffee, fresh baked goods and sandwiches!
Read my full review of Marina Way Beach
Three Mile Beach: The Okanagan’s only nude beach!
Location: Three Mile Rd, Penticton
Three Mile Beach is for those who want a clothing optional experience in the sun. It is the only nude beach in the Okanagan and people definitely go there to let it all hang out. Three Mile Beach is a more secluded and quiet option amongst other Penticton beaches. It is located on Lake Okanagan and is about 10 minutes outside of town on the way out to Naramata. There isn’t a ton of parking and no food options in the area so plan accordingly.
Even though it is clothing optional it is kid-friendly. There is a floating dock to swim to and lots of shady spaces to set up along the beach.
Read my full review of Three mile Beach
Frequently asked questions
Can you drink alcohol on Penticton beaches?
You can drink alcohol on Penticton beaches in specific designated areas. These include: Okanagan beach (east of Power street), Sudbury Beach, Skaha Beach, Marina Way Beach and Okanagan Lake Park Beach.
Can you swim in the Okanagan?
Absolutely! Penticton is just one Okanagan city of many where you can swim in the beautiful lakes.
What are the two lakes in Penticton?
The two lakes in Penticton are Lake Okanagan and Skaha Lake. Lake Okanagan connects Penticton on the North end all the way up to Vernon. Skaha Lake connects Penticton on the South end all the way down to Okanagan Falls.
Can dogs go on on the beach in Penticton?
Dogs are only allowed on specific beaches in Penticton. Here is a list of the only dog-friendly beaches in Penticton:
- Okanagan Lake Park dog beach
- Three Mile Beach in the South Beach area (the area for boats but NOT the swimming area)
- Skaha Lake along Lakeside road (4851 Lakeside Road) – this isn’t really a human swimming area though!
Read my full post about dog-friendly beaches in Penticton
Best Penticton beaches for kids
- Skaha Beach (due to the soft sand, warm water temperatures, long shallow entrance to the lake, slides in the water and nearby playgrounds)
- Okanagan Beach (for the Wibit and slides into the water)
Best Penticton beaches for couples
- Three Mile Beach for an evening sunset and more secluded spots (or if you want to take advantage of the clothing optional experience!)
- Okanagan Beach for water sports and proximity to restaurants, breweries and downtown
