Difficulty: EASY

Rating: 4/5

Duration: 1-2hr / 7km kayak

Kayaking

smiley face

Description:

Smiley Face and its caves are a super popular boating location in the Okanagan. While today the fabled yellow smiley face may not always be present as the local graffiti artists regularly paint the area, the name still sticks.

The entire outer wall as well as most of the inner cave itself is covered with plenty if drawings and different kinds of writing. Smiley Face is located about a kilometre North of Gears Bay. The cave sits on the side of a 30ft tall cliff face. The area is perfect for learning how to cliff jump with the amazing underwater clearance and different elevations to jump from. It is a truly special place in the summer months.

Directions:

This destination is located in Oyama approximately 35 minutes drive from downtown Kelowna, or 20 minutes from Vernon

  1. Coming from Kelowna, drive North along Highway 97 towards Vernon.
  2. Once you're driving through Lake Country, take the Exit onto Pelmewash Pkwy.
  3. Drive for 6.0km then turn right onto Oyama rd.
  4. Park on your left near the General Store, and launch your kayak from the beach across the street.
  5. Smiley face is located HERE, approximately 3.5km away.

Click to view this route on GoogleMaps!

GPS Coordinates:

  • Oyama Station Beach: 50.110435, -119.385944
  • Smiley Face: 50.137998, -119.361044

Features:

  • Kayaking area
  • Cliff Jumping
  • Lake