If you love being out on the water with minimal effort involved, there’s nothing more relaxing than floating down one of BC’s scenic lazy rivers. And one of the longest in the province is located just a day trip’s distance from Vancouver – the Penticton River Channel.

The manmade river channel stretches 7 kilometres and connects the beautiful Okanagan and Skaha Lakes, offering visitors a peaceful day on the water. From individual-sized inner tubes to party floats, there are a variety of tube rentals available via Coyote Cruises.

Recent Posts:
This island with clear waters has one of the prettiest towns in BC
10 beautiful lake towns to visit in BC this summer

The lazy river starts on Riverside Drive and slowly drifts from Okanagan Lake down to Skaha Lake, though tubers have the option of stopping mid-way at Green Mountain Road.

Visitors also have the option of bringing their own floaties – and “the bigger and more flamboyant the better,” according to Coyote Cruises.

Want to rally your friends and family together for a scenic float? They have giant floating ‘islands’ that can accommodate up to 12 people!

Note that there is shuttle access to bring floaters back to the starting point after they’ve finished their Penticton Channel float.

So grab your sunscreen and towels, and get ready to unwind on one of Canada’s laziest rivers – and maybe even make some new friends on your journey!

Penticton River Channel 

Where: Penticton, BC

Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

Read articles