Twenty of British Columbia's finest resorts — right on the water
From the sun-drenched shores of Okanagan Lake to remote wilderness lodges accessible only by floatplane, British Columbia offers some of the most spectacular waterfront resort experiences in the world. Whether you're after a wine-country spa retreat, a family beach holiday, or an off-grid adventure in the Great Bear Rainforest, these 20 resorts put you right where you want to be — on the water.
Perched right on the shores of Okanagan Lake, Manteo Resort is Kelowna's premier waterfront destination. Guests enjoy spacious villa-style suites, a private beach, outdoor pool, and a full-service marina. The resort's Waterfront Restaurant serves locally inspired cuisine with sweeping lake views — perfect for a sunset dinner after a day on the water.
A Kelowna landmark since 1926, Eldorado Resort blends heritage charm with modern luxury directly on Okanagan Lake. The boutique hotel features beautifully appointed rooms, a private marina, and the acclaimed Eldorado Restaurant. Its intimate scale and storied history make it a favourite for romantic getaways and special occasions in wine country.
Perched high above Okanagan Lake with panoramic views stretching for kilometres, Sparkling Hill Resort is one of Canada's most celebrated wellness destinations. The stunning glass-and-crystal architecture houses North America's largest KurSpa, with 40,000 sq ft of European-inspired treatments, thermal pools, and saunas. Every room faces the lake — the views are simply breathtaking.
Nestled in the rolling hills above Okanagan Lake, Predator Ridge is a world-class golf and lifestyle resort offering villa accommodations, two championship golf courses, and a full-service spa. The resort's elevated setting delivers sweeping views of the lake and surrounding vineyards, while the village centre provides dining, fitness facilities, and year-round programming.
Sitting directly on the shores of Okanagan Lake in the heart of Penticton, this full-service resort is the ideal base for exploring wine country. Guests enjoy a private beach, outdoor pool, and the Hooded Merganser Restaurant overlooking the water. With Okanagan Lake on one side and Skaha Lake just minutes away, you're perfectly positioned between two of BC's finest swimming lakes.
On the warm shores of Osoyoos Lake — Canada's warmest freshwater lake — Watermark Beach Resort delivers a Mediterranean-style escape in BC's desert south. Spacious suites and villas open onto a private sandy beach, outdoor pools, and a rooftop patio with vineyard views. The resort sits in the heart of BC's wine country, steps from award-winning wineries.
Set on the tranquil shores of Shuswap Lake, this resort community offers a peaceful lakefront retreat away from the crowds. Guests enjoy direct lake access, a private dock, and the unhurried pace that makes the Shuswap one of BC's most beloved summer destinations. Houseboating, fishing, and paddling are all right at your doorstep.
Owned and operated by the Little Shuswap Lake Indian Band, Quaaout Lodge & Spa offers a deeply authentic Indigenous cultural experience on the shores of Little Shuswap Lake. Guests can participate in traditional storytelling, drumming, and cultural tours, while enjoying the full-service spa, lakeside restaurant, and comfortable lodge rooms with stunning water views.
A boutique lakefront hotel right on the sandy shores of Harrison Lake, Harrison Beach Hotel offers a stylish and intimate alternative to the larger resorts in the village. Modern rooms with lake-view balconies, a rooftop patio, and easy access to the famous hot springs make this a standout choice for couples and weekend travellers from the Lower Mainland.
The grande dame of Harrison Hot Springs, this historic resort has welcomed guests since 1926. Set on the shores of Harrison Lake with the Cascade Mountains as a backdrop, the resort features natural hot spring pools, a full-service spa, multiple restaurants, and beautifully landscaped grounds. It's a classic BC resort experience that never goes out of style.
Nestled on the shores of Kootenay Lake in the heart of Nelson — BC's most charming heritage city — the Prestige Lakeside Resort offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and urban culture. Guests enjoy lakefront rooms, an indoor pool, and easy walking access to Nelson's celebrated arts scene, restaurants, and boutique shops along Baker Street.
One of BC's most unique hot springs experiences, Ainsworth features a natural horseshoe-shaped cave pool carved into the cliffs above Kootenay Lake. The resort sits directly on the lake with stunning mountain views in every direction. Soak in the mineral-rich waters, explore the cave tunnels, and cool off in the cold plunge pool — a truly one-of-a-kind BC experience.
Overlooking Lake Windermere in the stunning Columbia Valley, Copper Point Resort offers condo-style suites, a championship golf course, and a full-service spa surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. The resort's elevated position delivers sweeping views of the lake and the Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges, making it one of the most scenically spectacular resorts in BC.
Gateway to Kootenay National Park, Radium Hot Springs Resort combines the healing power of natural hot springs with the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. The resort offers comfortable lodge rooms, a golf course, and easy access to the famous Radium Hot Springs pools. With Columbia Lake nearby and the Rockies all around, this is a true four-season mountain destination.
Tucked into the forest above the village of Nakusp on Upper Arrow Lake, these natural hot springs offer a wonderfully rustic retreat in the heart of the Kootenays. Two outdoor pools fed by natural mineral springs sit amid towering cedars, with comfortable cabins and camping available on site. Nakusp itself is a charming lakeside village with a warm, welcoming community.
Fronting the wild surf of Cox Bay on the Pacific Rim, Long Beach Lodge Resort is Tofino's most celebrated oceanfront property. The Great Room — with its floor-to-ceiling windows and roaring fireplace — frames one of the most dramatic ocean views in Canada. Cozy lodge rooms and private cottages nestle into the rainforest, while world-class surfing is steps from your door.
A beloved Tofino institution, Pacific Sands Beach Resort sits directly on Cox Bay with a mix of beachfront suites, villas, and cabins spread across a forested oceanfront property. The resort has a wonderfully laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere — perfect for storm watching in winter and surfing in summer. Bonfire pits on the beach make for unforgettable evenings.
Accessible only by floatplane, Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort is one of the most exclusive and remote luxury lodges in the world. Nestled in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest on BC's central coast, the resort offers heli-adventures, bear watching, kayaking, and world-class fishing — all from a stunning waterfront setting surrounded by ancient rainforest and glacier-fed waterfalls.
A legendary eco-luxury retreat in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Clayoquot Sound, this tented camp resort is accessible only by boat or floatplane. Lavishly appointed safari-style tents sit on a remote river estuary surrounded by old-growth rainforest. Guests enjoy guided wilderness adventures, gourmet meals, and a profound sense of connection with one of the world's last great temperate rainforests.
Towering above the Columbia River valley near Golden, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is one of Canada's premier four-season mountain destinations. The resort village offers slope-side lodging, fine dining at the Eagle's Eye Restaurant (Canada's highest restaurant), and access to legendary powder skiing in winter and mountain biking and hiking in summer — all with the Rockies and Purcells as your backdrop.
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