Okanagan Boat Rentals: A 3-Day Long Weekend Itinerary
By the Kelowna Downtown Marina Team | August 2026
By eight on Saturday morning, the marina is already buzzing. People carry coolers down the dock, a dog is ready in its life vest, and a kid is asking if they can drive this time. This is the start of an awesome long weekend: three days with an Okanagan boat rental, one boat, one dock at 210 Bernard Ave, and three unique routes. Here's a detailed plan for your long weekend boat rental in Kelowna.
How a Multi-Day Boat Rental Works in Kelowna
You'll have the same boat for three mornings in a row, and the rules are a bit different from an hourly rental:
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The same boat is yours for all three days, chosen from the wakesurf, bowrider, or Waverunner fleet depending on your crew.
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It leaves the dock with a full tank each morning. You settle the fuel used when it goes back.
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Multi-day bookings come with unlimited drivers, so nobody's stuck behind the wheel the whole weekend.
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No boater's license required. Staff run through the controls and safety features before your first launch.
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The boat comes back to 210 Bernard Ave each evening, unless you're staying somewhere on the water with your own dock, in which case it can moor there overnight instead.
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Cancellations need 48 hours' notice, so lock in your three days early (especially once the forecast starts looking good).
The two questions we hear most about a multi-day rental: how far three days can take you (further than you'd think), and whether the boat has to come back every single night. The answer to both shapes how the three days below are built.
View our Interactive Map of Okanagan Lake to help you orient yourself for the long weekend.
Day 1: Ease in with the Quick North Loop
Get yourself acquainted with what Kelowna boating is all about. Head north from the marina, and Paul's Tomb shows up first, about 4 km out and a 7-minute ride, a small bay locals use for cliff jumping and a quick swim. Push on to Bear Creek Provincial Park, 7 km and 12 minutes from the dock, where the open water in front of the day-use area is where most of the wakeboarding and waterskiing happens on this stretch (it fills up fast on a sunny weekend, so watch for other boats). Swing back south along the shore to Raymer Bay Beach, another 4 km, for a picnic lunch (locals call it a "boat-nic," and no, we didn't make that up) while the boat idles just offshore.
Each of these three stops is less than 12 minutes from 210 Bernard Ave. Even if you start later in the day, you'll have time to get used to the boat and still return to the dock before dinner.
Read more about the Northern Boat Route.
Day 2: The Full Southern Run, Eldorado to Rattlesnake Island
This is a long day, so leave by mid-morning. Head south past City Park and under the William R. Bennett Bridge, then dock at the Eldorado Resort for lunch on the lakeside patio (call ahead if you want a table, and top up fuel while you're there if you need it). From the Eldorado, cross the lake toward West Kelowna, past vineyard rows and the string of lakefront homes that make this stretch the most photographed part of the route.
Next, stop at the Peachland Day Wharf, a public dock in the center of town that's first-come, first-served. There's no way to reserve a spot ahead of time, so it's a bit of a gamble (if it's full when you pull in, just keep going, there's plenty of day left). Walk into town for lunch or coffee if you didn't eat at Eldorado. Across the water is Rattlesnake Island, known for the Ogopogo legend and the remains of an old mountaintop amusement park. Float by, then follow the quieter east shore back to Kelowna as the evening light turns golden.
Read more about the Southern Boat Route.
Day 3: Wine on the Water, Then One Last Walk Downtown
Sleep in... day three is the slow half, and you've earned it. Cross west again, this time to Frind Estate Winery in West Kelowna, one of the only wineries on Okanagan Lake with a dock you can pull right up to (call ahead for permission, it's not first-come-first-served like Peachland). Spend an hour or two on the beach with a glass of wine before heading back across. No itinerary to chase, no next stop to time out... just the beach, the boat, and whatever's left in the bottle.
On the way in, tie up at the downtown day-use dock, feed the meter, and walk Bernard Ave one more time for dinner before the boat goes back for good.
Read more about How to Do Okanagan Lake and Wine Country in One Day.
Three Days at a Glance
What to Pack for Three Days on the Water
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Sunscreen and a hat. Reapply more than you think you need to.
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A dry bag for phones, wallets, and anything else that can't get wet.
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Cash or a card for dock stops at Eldorado, Peachland, and Frind Estate.
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A change of clothes for each dinner stop, so you're not walking into a restaurant soaked.
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Water and snacks, even with lunch stops planned. The lake makes everyone hungrier than expected.
Frequently Asked Questions About Multi-Day Okanagan Boat Rentals
Do I have to bring the boat back to the marina every night? Yes, so budget a few minutes each evening to bring it back and top up the tank. The one exception: if you're staying somewhere with its own dock, the boat can just stay moored there overnight instead, no back-and-forth required.
How long can I rent a boat for on Okanagan Lake? Up to 8 days through the website. Want longer than that? Call the marina directly, and our staff will sort it out.
Can more than one person drive the boat during a multi-day rental? Yes! Multi-day bookings include unlimited drivers (unlike hourly rentals, where only the named renter can operate the boat), so everyone in the crew gets a turn.
Do I need a boating license to rent a boat in Kelowna? Nope, no license required. Downtown Marina grants a temporary boater's license and a full orientation before you leave the dock.
Book Your Long Weekend
Three days, one boat, and you'll see most of Okanagan Lake without repeating any stops. Check the latest multi-day rates and availability, or read the full boating FAQ before booking.
Downtown Marina Kelowna has rented boats, jet skis, and moorage from 210 Bernard Ave since 2013, backed by a 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award. Book your multi-day rental at kelownadowntownmarina.com.