Kelowna Adventure Tours to Add to Your Bucket List
Kelowna has great wine and gorgeous lakes, but sometimes you want something a little more exciting, right? That’s where Kelowna’s adventure tours come in! You can rappel down waterfalls, soar over vineyards, or rocket high above Okanagan Lake on a flyboard.
I’m always down for an adventure and Kelowna has never let me down. The best part is that you don’t need to be a pro and most of these tours are perfect for beginners, so you can just show up and have a great time.
Grab your pen and add these adventure tours to your Kelowna travel to-do list!
Water Adventure Tours in Kelowna
If you’ve spent a summer in Kelowna, you know it gets hot. When the temps start soaring, the best way to cool off is to hit the water!
Okanagan Lake isn’t just for lazy beach days and paddleboarding (though I’m always down for those), it’s also a really great place for adventure! Here are some of my favourite ways to cool off while going for an adventure.
Okanagan Canyoning
If you’re up for a mix of rock climbing, hiking, and jumping and/or sliding into natural pools, this adventure is for you. It’s so cool we have this kind of tour right here in Kelowna!
I’ve done all three of their canyoning tours and they’re so much fun! Rappelling straight down a waterfall is terrifying and really fun! I (almost) get why people become adrenaline junkies.
It’s a full-body workout, you’ll get completely soaked, and you’ll probably scream at least once (I sure did). But if you’re looking for a Kelowna adventure tour that’s unlike anything else, this is it. You’ll love it!
Use ‘explorethemap10’ to save 10% on your tour!
Flyboarding in Kelowna
Every time I see someone flyboardig, I can’t stop watching because it looks like an absolute blast. You’re strapped to a water-powered jetpack and lift off the lake and hover in midair!
If you can swim and stand on your own two feet, you can flyboard! And if you’ve wakeboarded, snowboarded, or surfed before, you’ll probably be a natural. From what I’ve heard, most people get the hang of it within minutes.
This tour is high on my Okanagan bucket list! It looks so fun and the crew at Okanagan Flyboarding are known for being awesome, super patient, encouraging, and ready to make sure you have a great time. If you’re looking for something really different, this might just be your next favourite adventure!
Wakeboarding & Watersports
I tried wakeboarding for the first time this summer and let’s just say… I spent more time face-planting than actually riding. Even though I never really got the hang of it, I had a lot of fun!
Whether you’re a total beginner like me or already know what you’re doing, Kelowna has lots of awesome spots to get out on the water. The local guides and instructors make learning easy, even for first-timers. If wake sports aren’t your thing, tubing is also a great choice.
Between expert coaching and being the perfect way to cool off on a scorching summer day, a wakeboarding or wakesurfing adventure in Kelowna is one of the best ways to spend a day on Okanagan Lake. Even if you wipe out a million times, you’ll have a blast!
Parasailing on Okanagan Lake
I haven’t been parasailing in Kelowna yet, but it’s so high on my adventure list and it should be on yours, too! Floating high above Okanagan Lake with Kelowna stretched out below you is wild. And from what I’ve heard, it’s way smoother than you’d expect.
You can fly solo or team up with a friend or two for tandem or triple flights. You can also get dipped in the water and can decide how wet you want to get. Just a quick toe dip? A full-body splash? It’s up to you.
Everyone who’s gone parasailing in Kelowna goes on and on about the views, the friendly crew, and how easy it is to take off and land. It sounds like the perfect way to see Kelowna from a whole new perspective and I hope you get to try it!
Land Adventures in Kelowna
If you’ve spent any time in Kelowna, it’s pretty obvious why people love it for the outdoors. When you’re wanting a little adventure but don’t wanna get soaked, there are plenty of other ways to get your adrenaline fix on the solid ground.
Kelowna isn’t just about lake life, it’s also got a ton of exciting land-based adventures.
Okanagan Adventure Park’s Giant Canyon Swing
I haven’t tried the giant canyon swing at Okanagan Adventure Park yet, but I can’t wait. It reminds me of the canyon swing at the Golden Skybridge and if it’s anything like that, it’s an absolute rush.
Here’s how it works: You’re strapped into a harness, pulled back over the edge, and then, boom, you’re swinging over a huge canyon! One second, you’re questioning all your life choices and the next, you’re soaring through the air, heart racing, and grinning like a maniac. Sounds fun, right?
Beyond the canyon swing, Okanagan Adventure Park also has a ton of aerial adventures. They’ve got ziplines, treetop obstacle courses, and freefall jumps. But let’s be real, the canyon swing is the main event.
Oyama Zipline
Oyama Zipline is such a blast! They have nearly 2 kilometres of ziplines and you’ll fly through the trees at 60-70 km/h with awesome views Kalamalka Lake and Wood Lake.
Some of the ziplines are even tandem so you can race your friends! And if you’re feeling bold, you can try some tricks; hanging upside down is a lotta fun! They’ll even snap action shots as you zip by.
But that’s not all! Oyama Zipline also has a massive aerial adventure park that’s got swinging ropes, high-up obstacles, and even more ziplines. The challenges get harder as you go, leading up to the grand finale which is a 46-foot FreeFall QuickJump that’ll really test your nerves!
Guided Bike Tours through Kelowna
Kelowna has some incredible bike trails and Myra Canyon is one of my favourites and the most scenic. It’s a great ride with historic trestle bridges, tunnels, and sweeping canyon views. Whether you’re into history, scenery, or just a good adventure, this trail is a must.
But Myra Canyon is just the start! There are tons of guided bike tours to choose from, whether you want a full-day ride to Penticton, an bike tour with wine tastings or a yoga class, or even a bee-themed ride with honey and mead samples. Some tours include pick-up and drop-off, so all you have to do is hop on and enjoy.
If you’re looking for a fun and active way to explore Kelowna, a guided bike tour is a great choice. Fresh air, incredible views, and someone else handling the logistics all sounds like a win to me!
ATVing with Full Cycle Adventure
If you’re looking for an off-road adventure, ATVing through Kelowna’s backcountry is a must and you can do it year-round!
Full Cycle Adventure takes you deep into the Okanagan backcounry where you’ll explore rugged trails, climb steep hills, and cruise past lakes and streams in a Polaris that’s built for adventure. Some tours even stop at Chute Lake Lodge for a bite!
Whether it’s the summer or winter, this is an awesome adventure you can do any time of year. Next time you’re in the mood to kick up some dust, you know exactly where to go!
Smile Cycle, a Brewery Tour on Wheels
Smile Cycle is an absolute blast! It’s a massive, pedal-powered group bike that takes you on a brewery-hopping tour through downtown Kelowna. You and your crew hop on, start pedaling, and cruise from one local brewery to the next!
It’s basically a pub crawl, but on a bike, and the whole experience feels like one big rolling party. It might seem easy at first, but once you realize how much effort it takes to keep that giant bike moving, you’ll be extra grateful for the drink breaks!
Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want a fun and unique way to explore Kelowna’s craft beer scene, Smile Cycle is an awesome tour. Just be ready to pedal because your next cold one depends on it!
Air Adventures in Kelowna
Kelowna has some pretty epic views, but wanna know the best way to see them? From way up in the sky!
If you want to ditch the trails and try something really new, these aerial tours will have you soaring over vineyards, lakes, and mountains! It’s such a fantastic way to experience the Okanagan.
Helicopter Wine Tour
I haven’t done a helicopter wine tour, but wow, does it ever sound fancy. Drinking wine is great, but drinking wine after flying over the Okanagan in a helicopter? That’s so cool!
This tour combines aerial views and world-class wineries into an unforgettable experience. You lift off in a helicopter, soar over vineyards, lakes, and mountains, then touch down at some of the Okanagan’s top wineries for tastings. You can even have a private mountaintop picnic, because why not go full VIP?
From what I’ve heard, you’re treated like a celebrity with private tastings, behind-the-scenes experiences, and a grand entrance straight from the sky. If there’s a more stylish way to explore Kelowna’s wine scene, I haven’t heard of it. One day, I’m making this happen!
Float Plane Tour
Not into helicopters? No problem, how about a floatplane instead? Airhart Aviation has a bunch of different scenic flights over the Okanagan and since I’ve actually done this tour, I can confidently tell you that it’s amazing!
There’s something so cool about lifting off from the water and soaring over our lakes and mountains. The pilots are awesome; they’re super knowledgeable, great storytellers, and pros at spotting hidden gems you’d never notice from the ground.
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind way to see Kelowna, this is it. Whether it’s a birthday surprise, a bucket-list flight, or just an excuse to do something epic, I can pretty much guarantee it’ll be a ride you’ll never forget!
Skydiving in Vernon
Just outside Kelowna in Vernon, Okanagan Skydive gives you the chance to launch yourself from 10,000 feet in the air with nothing but a parachute and an adrenaline rush to bring you back down!
The team at Okanagan Skydive are great at helping first-timers feel safe and ready to take the leap. If you’re looking for a bucket-list adventure, this is it! And yes, they’ll even film the whole thing so you can relive every second, whether you nailed it like a pro or screamed the whole way down.
Ready for Your Next Kelowna Adventure?
Kelowna isn’t just about wineries and lazy lake days. If you’re looking to kick things up a notch, you’re in the right place. Want to jump out of a plane? Fly over vineyards? Rappel down waterfalls? You can do all that and more here in Kelowna.
Whether you’re swinging over a canyon, zipping through the trees, or blasting across the lake on a flyboard, Kelowna’s got a ton of fun adventure tours.
I’ve tried a few of these myself and they’ve all been experiences you’ll be talking about for years. Pick one, try them all, and get ready for a wild ride! You’re going to have so much fun!
