Local marina launches tours

Kelowna visitors and residents can now embark on an Okanagan Lake voyage with the launch of Downtown Marina’s fully guided boat tours.

A boon to the Kelowna tourism industry, the two-hour cruise allows passengers to enjoy breathtaking views of the Okanagan shoreline and surrounding mountains all from the comfort of Downtown Marina’s 2018 12-passenger luxury pontoon boat.

Guests can expect to catch plenty of sun, learn the history and facts about the valley, see local wildlife and maybe even catch a glimpse of the legendary Ogopogo, according to Downtown Marina general manager Kyle Spence.

“Over the past five years, we have had many requests from our guests about guided boating tours,” Spence says. “Some people want to get out on the water and not have to be responsible for having to drive or to arrange vacation boat rentals.

“We are excited to be offering a tour that allows everyone to kick back and relax during an enjoyable day on the lake.”

Private tours can also be arranged for up to 12 people, Spence says.

All guests board the boat from Downtown Marina’s 350-foot long floating pier, located near the Kelowna Sails. From there, passengers cruise along the north shore past Knox Mountain Park then across the lake to West Kelowna and south under the William R. Bennett Bridge to Green Bay before heading back to shore downtown.

“All of our drivers are fully licensed, fun, friendly and lovers of the outdoors,” Spence says. “They are a part of our team because they recognize the importance of being personable, courteous, respectful and providing great service to our customers.”

Besides fully guided and narrated tours, Downtown Marina also offers temporary and seasonal moorage so that tourists and residents can access Kelowna and the lake by boat. The local boat marina also offers watercraft and accessory rentals, a retail store, as well as a fuelling and sani-station.

Tours can be booked by visiting the Downtown Marina website.