5 British Columbia Waterfront and Luxury Retreats from Island to City

Along the water’s edge on Salt Spring Island, this sunny, private 3-acre building lot offers 311 feet of low-bank oceanfront and dramatic views across Stuart Channel. A striking ocean-side field sets the scene, while the multi-level topography and existing driveway open up multiple potential build sites to suit your vision. The parcel is fee simple and non-strata, with favourable rural zoning that allows for a house, a cabin, and multiple accessory buildings such as a garage and studio. Practical groundwork is already in place, including a drilled well and an approved perc test for a future septic system, plus a BC Hydro right of way. Set within the Southern Gulf Islands, Salt Spring Island’s thriving community life—K–12 schools, a hospital, an indoor community pool, and shopping and entertainment—keeps everyday living connected yet unhurried.

Size: 3.00 acres

Along the water’s edge in downtown Kelowna, this One Water Street residence pairs glassy, light-filled interiors with panoramic lake views. Nine-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows set an airy tone throughout, while the gourmet kitchen anchors daily life with a waterfall island and professional-grade stainless steel appliances. The primary suite is bright and spacious, finished with a walk-in closet and a 4-piece ensuite. Two additional bedrooms connect via a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, offering a practical layout for family or guests. Two parking stalls and a storage locker add everyday ease. Beyond the front door, One Water Street’s amenities span a concierge, Pilates studio, gym, lap pool and swimming pool, hot tubs, steam room, business centre, guest suites, firepits with seating, a BBQ area, pickle ball, an off-leash dog area, and 24/7 security—creating a downtown rhythm that still feels like a retreat.

From its hillside setting above parkland and the sparkling waters of Okanagan Lake, this executive rancher-style townhome with a basement captures panoramic lake views in every direction. Located in the coveted Tuscan Terrace community in Summerland, the residence pairs an open, bright floor plan with oversized doors and windows that draw in natural light and keep the vista front and center. The layout includes three bedrooms plus a den, offering flexibility for work, guests, or a quiet retreat. Outdoors, a huge covered deck extends the living space, ideal for long, unhurried afternoons spent watching the lake. An attached garage and a private elevator add everyday ease, blending comfort and accessibility in a setting that feels distinctly Okanagan. Here, the view becomes part of the daily rhythm.

Along the water’s edge in the peaceful Woodland Shores community of Lake Cowichan, 7284 Lakefront Drive offers a turn-key 3 bed, 2 bath rancher designed for easy, year-round living. Just 8 years old, it sits on a sunny, fully fenced corner lot of nearly half an acre. The south-facing backyard feels like a private sanctuary, with professional landscaping, mature gardens, full irrigation, and a serene pond with a waterfall and river feature. A 400 sq ft screened cedar porch extends the living space outdoors, inviting long mornings and quiet evenings with lake and mountain views. Inside, wood flooring runs through an open-concept living and dining area anchored by a gas fireplace, while the kitchen pairs quartz counters, a large island, a gas stove, and a walk-in pantry for everyday ease.

Set on 23.8 acres along Thain Road in Cobble Hill, this rural offering pairs a remarkably private, park-like setting with practical groundwork already in place. Two drilled wells with good flow and hydro power to the lot support a range of possibilities, while some foundation work has been done to help move early plans forward. The land includes levelled and cleared areas intended for building, creating a sense of openness within a broader, natural backdrop. Zoned Rural Resource (RUR-1), it’s a property that reads as both quiet retreat and everyday-ready. When you want to dip back into town, amenities at Cobble Hill Plaza and Valley View Centre are close by, and nearby lakes and numerous trails make it easy to shape days around outdoor activity and fresh air.

Size: 23.8 acres