Water Sports
Start planning your Arrow Slocan adventure today! Access essential tips, and local insights to make your journey seamless, unforgettable, and perfectly aligned with your sense of adventure.
Paddle Board, Canoe, Kayak
Slocan Lake is home to the self propelled water enthusiasts. The lake is dotted with paddle boards, kayaks and canoes exploring the shores along Valhalla Provincial Park and beyond.
Although the lake is often calm and inviting, strong winds can quickly create dangerous waves, especially in the afternoon. Stay close to shore and keep a close eye on the weather.
Find a Guide, Rental, or Equipment
A number of operators can set you up with the equipment and advice you need to get on the water safely.
Water sports are a way of life
The Arrow Lakes and Slocan Valley offer a variety of water sports opportunities, from serene kayaking and canoeing on the pristine lakes and rivers to more exhilarating activities like paddleboarding and waterskiing. These waterways provide a beautiful backdrop for enjoying the outdoors and cooling off on a hot day. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful paddle or an adrenaline rush, the region’s lakes and rivers cater to a range of interests.
Slocan Lake is a haven for paddlers seeking tranquility and stunning scenery. Its calm waters are perfect for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding, allowing you to explore the shoreline at your own pace.
Popular Locations
- Slocan Beach: Slocan City, located at the south end of the lake, is a popular hub for launching kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. The calm waters near the town make it an ideal starting point for exploring the lake.
- Wragge Beach: A popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the tranquil beauty of the area. With its sandy shores and clear waters, it’s a great place to relax and cool off on a hot day. The surrounding scenery of the Selkirk Mountains adds to the peaceful atmosphere.
- Valhalla Park: This park encompasses a large portion of the western shoreline of Slocan Lake. While access points may be more limited, the park offers incredible opportunities for paddling and exploring secluded bays and beaches. Be sure to research access points and regulations before heading out.
- Rosebery Parklands: Located on Slocan Lake a few kilometres north of the Village of New Denver. This park is 2.8 hectares and is designated as a Waterfront Access regional park used for day-use beach recreation activities such as boating, swimming, beach combing and nature appreciation.
Arrow Lakes offer a range of water sports opportunities against a backdrop of dramatic mountain scenery. From leisurely kayaking and paddleboarding to the thrill of waterskiing and wakeboarding, there’s something for everyone.
Popular Locations
- Nakusp: A hub for water activities, Nakusp offers marinas, rentals, and access to both the upper and lower Arrow Lakes.
- Fauquier: Located on the shores of the lower Arrow Lake, Fauquier provides another excellent access point for boating, paddling, and swimming.
- Burton: Further north on the lower Arrow Lake, Burton offers a quieter setting for enjoying water sports and exploring the lake’s natural beauty.
- Shelter Bay: Near the northern end of the Arrow Lakes, Shelter Bay provides access to the vast stretches of the upper lake, perfect for boating and other water-based recreation.
The Slocan River, known for its gentle flow and stunning scenery, offers excellent opportunities for serene paddling. Kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding are popular, allowing visitors to explore the river’s tranquil beauty. Here are four popular access points:
- Slocan: Access near the town of Slocan provides opportunities to paddle downstream.
- Passmore: Several access points exist along the river near Passmore.
- Various pull-offs along Highway 6: Be sure to check for safe access and respect private property.
- Endless Adventure: Based in Crescent Valley, offers a variety of ways to experience the Slocan River. They provide guided rafting tours, from gentle floats perfect for families to more adventurous trips with exciting rapids. You can also rent kayaks, paddleboards, and other equipment to explore the river at your own pace.
Nakusp’s waterfront and marina serve as a vibrant hub for water activities on the Arrow Lakes. The marina provides moorage for boats of all sizes, making it a popular launch point for boating, waterskiing, and wakeboarding.
- The adjacent waterfront area offers easy access for kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming, with rentals often available.
- The scenic beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains creates a stunning backdrop for all water-based recreation.
- Popular spots for enjoying these activities include the waters directly off the Nakusp waterfront, the area around the Nakusp Hot Springs, and the quieter bays and inlets along the lake’s shoreline.
Water sports can be dangerous and require skills and knowledge to be safe. The Slocan and Arrow lakes are long narrow mountain lakes. When wind occurs, it is funnelled up and down the steep valleys. Due to the lakes’ length, significant waves can be created even without a storm.
- Safety is an important part of any water adventure. You are required by law to have a lifejacket or PFD (Personal Flotation Device) on board for each person on a watercraft – human-powered or motor.
- Learn how to mitigate the risks with AdventureSmart.
- Check weather and wind conditions.
- Read boater information and find services.
