Best Family Friendly Kelowna Beaches

Okanagan Vacation Fun In The Sun

Kelowna beaches are great. No doubt they are beautiful, well kept and a great place to spend a relaxing summer day. But unlike some other Okanagan beaches they are a little less convenient... like, parking can be a real challenge!  On the flip side, there's plenty of amenities nearby most of the beaches in Kelowna so you can also stroll around and enjoy what's in the area. Here's what you need to know about the best family friendly beaches including Hot Sands, Gyro Park, Rotary Beach and the smaller quiet Kinsmen Beach, and spending a day at one in this city. Plus we made you this little map so you can see where these beaches are...

Gyro Park Beach, Hot Sands Beach in Kelowna City Park, and Rotary Beach are all great places for families, with lots of grass areas, shade, picnic areas, concession stands, tennis and volleyball, as well as playgrounds and washrooms are either along or within an easy distance from most of the beaches. Kinsmen Park Beach is also a small quiet beach with tennis courts. Kelowna beaches are not manned by lifeguards and dogs are not permitted on city beaches either. 

Hot Sands Beach Kelowna City Park

Hot Sands Beach is right downtown Kelowna. It's the beach you see as you drive into the city over the Kelowna bridge.  There's always lots of events and activities going on downtown and in City Park. So if you get tired of sitting on the beach or playing in the water you can always go for a walk and explore the downtown shops, grab some lunch or stroll along the waterfront walk.

Hot Sands City Park has volleyball on the beach, washrooms and also a children's playground. There's also a skateboard park and basketball court which are closer to the bridge end of the park.

There's a decent size parking lot just off of Abbott Street, right by the bridge.  But, you'll want to get there early as it fills up fast especially in the summer. And, of course, you'll have to pay for parking. 

City Park is a designated dog park, but dogs are not allowed on the beach. There's also a children's water park which makes it one of the more popular Kelowna beaches for families. If you plan to be around near the end of July this park will be closed off for the Center of Gravity sports and music festival.  Go here for more photos and info on Hot Sands Beach.

Boyce Gyro Park Beach

You'll know you're at Gyro Beach when you see the big apple under the shady trees.  ;-) It has all the requirements for families with kids... a playground area, washroom facilities, shady trees, picnic tables, plenty of grass and water sport rentals.  

Gyro Park Beach is in the Mission area of the city. Parking is very limited around here. So, be prepared to walk.  The beach itself is about a block and a half from the Mission Plaza and grocery store on Lakeshore Road. So, that's a plus.

What we like best about Gyro Beach is the shade.  Go here to see more photos of Gyro Park Beach.

Rotary Park Beach

Rotary Beach is in the Mission area of the city of Kelowna.  It sits on Lakeshore Road near Manteo Resort and Hiawatha Campground.  There's plenty of shade and picnic tables and a play area for kids.

This is a popular spot for kite surfers. On a windy day you'll see quite a few out on the water. And you can rent water sport equipment here as well. Go here for more photos and information about Rotary Beach Park in Kelowna.

Other Kelowna Beaches

While we think these are the best beaches in the city, there are other beaches that you may find you like including Kinsmen Park, Strathcona Beach, and Tugboat Beach (downtown). And they each have their own special appeal.