Salmon Arm
Location: A city on Shuswap Lake where the Salmon River empties into Salmon Arm Bay, at the junction of Highway 1 and Highway 97B. It is in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD).
Character: It's the largest urban centre in the CSRD and the main regional service and trade centre for the Shuswap. The 2021 Census counted 19,432 residents.
Services and schools: The City lists municipal water and sewer, public transit, health care services, five elementary schools, a middle school, a senior secondary school and an Okanagan College campus.
Recreation: The SASCU Recreation Centre (pool and gym), the Shaw Centre (two ice rinks), parks, golf courses and lake access.
Read my full Salmon Arm guide · Search the map for Salmon Arm listings
Blind Bay
Location: On the south shore of Shuswap Lake, in the South Shuswap. Blind Bay is in CSRD Electoral Area G.
Character: It's an unincorporated lakeside community east of Sorrento, just off the Trans-Canada Highway.
Services and schools: Blind Bay shares Sorrento-Blind Bay Park and nearby South Shuswap schools with Sorrento (see below).
Recreation: Shuswap Lake, plus Sorrento-Blind Bay Park. The CSRD lists a skating rink, tennis and pickleball courts, ball diamonds, a dog park, a water spray park and a playground there.
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Sorrento
Location: On the south shore of Shuswap Lake, on the Trans-Canada Highway. Sorrento is in CSRD Electoral Area G.
Character: It's an unincorporated South Shuswap community that sits right on Highway 1. It's home to the Sorrento Centre, a retreat and conference centre on the lakeshore.
Services and schools: Sorrento Elementary (K–5, School District No. 83).
Recreation: Shuswap Lake and Sorrento-Blind Bay Park.
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Sicamous
Location: A district municipality beside the Trans-Canada Highway at the Highway 97A junction, where Mara Lake meets Shuswap Lake through a short channel.
Character: It's trademarked as the "Houseboat Capital of Canada." The 2021 Census counted 2,613 residents, and the District says the population triples in summer.
Services and schools: Parkview Elementary (K–6) and Eagle River Secondary (7–12). There's also the Sicamous & District Recreation Centre, which has an ice arena and a fitness centre.
Recreation: Boating on two lakes, two golf courses, trails, and snowmobiling on Queest and Owlhead mountains.
Read my full Sicamous guide · Search the map for Sicamous listings
Eagle Bay
Location: On Shuswap Lake in the South Shuswap. Eagle Bay is in CSRD Electoral Area C.
Character: It's an unincorporated lakeshore community. The CSRD notes that Area C is known for lake-based tourism and has many seasonal residences.
Services: Eagle Bay is rural. Most day-to-day services are in nearby communities, so check what's close to a specific property.
Recreation: Boating, fishing, swimming and trails. The CSRD lists these for Area C.
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Tappen / Sunnybrae
Location: Along the Trans-Canada Highway west of Salmon Arm. Tappen and Sunnybrae are in CSRD Electoral Area C.
Character: These are unincorporated rural communities. The CSRD notes that Area C has "rich farmland (both specialty hobby and traditional farms)."
Services and schools: Carlin Elementary Middle School (K–8, School District No. 83) is in Tappen.
Recreation: Shuswap Tourism points to the Margaret Falls hike in Herald Provincial Park, as well as Sunnybrae Vineyards and Winery.
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Enderby
Location: A city in the Regional District of North Okanagan, between Armstrong and Grindrod, on the Shuswap River.
Character: It's a small city whose downtown sits near the Shuswap River. The 2021 Census counted 3,028 residents.
Services and schools: M.V. Beattie Elementary (K–6) and A.L. Fortune Secondary (7–12), both in School District No. 83. Enderby also has a visitor centre on Railway Street.
Recreation: Riverside RV Park and Campground on the Shuswap River. The City also helps fund the summer Shuswap River Ambassadors program for river safety.
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Need help comparing?
Every property is different, so it's important to confirm services such as water, sewer and schools for any specific address. I'm happy to help you compare communities and homes. Call or text me, Gene Wolverton, REALTOR® with Canada Flex Realty Group Ltd., at (250) 517-8875, or request a free home evaluation if you're thinking of selling.
