Penticton’s Skaha Beach offers a beautiful red sand beach in a park setting located in the south end of the city. Wade or swim in the warm shallow waters of Skaha Lake and hike through the 21 acres (8.5 hectares) of Skaha Lake Park. The beach does not have lifeguards, but the swimming area is well defined with buoys and signs.
Tucked into the edge of the city, Skaha Beach is smaller than some others in the area, but it’s also less hectic than those found nearer the city center. Watch for wedding groups that use the park’s Rotary Centennial Pavilion as a popular place to capture the day on camera. If you want something else to do, visit wineries and their picturesque vineyards located farther along the road that runs beside Skaha Lake to Okanagan Falls.
If you didn’t bring your watch to the beach, tell time using a very interesting sundial located on the sand. The Skaha Solar Timepiece was built in 1984. Read the time by standing in a precise location with your shadow indicating the hour.
Move away from the beach to the children’s splash park and playground. Choose from a number of ball games such as beach volleyball, hockey ball, basketball and tennis on well-maintained courts and even a softball field. Cycle, jog or walk on paved pathways that run along the shoreline of Lake Skaha.
In August, the beach is transformed into a sculpture showcase when artists use sand to create incredible pieces. Other events, such as popular Dragon Boat races, also happen during the summer. Walk here or drive and use available free parking, have a barbecue at one of the fire pits, savor a tasty meal under the trees at a picnic table and enjoy Skaha Beach until the sun goes down. The park and beach are open year-round.