On the eastern shore of southern Okanagan Lake,[1] the locality is by road about 15 kilometres (9 mi) north of Penticton.

People from across the Okanagan would arrive by boat for concerts, plays, operas, regattas- and as Robinson and his wife were spiritualists-seances.

[4] In 1914, Naramata received a new link with the rest of Canada when the Kettle Valley Railway was completed on the hillside above the village.

Today, remnants of the KVR make for great exploration, such as the train tunnels, rock ovens, and the railway right-of-way which clings to the hillside high above the lake, and is now part of the Trans-Canada Trail.

The agricultural sector once mostly consisting of orchards is rapidly being supplanted by vineyards and wineries that are collectively referred to as the "Naramata Bench".

Tourism is served by motels, beach side resorts and a variety of bed and breakfast operations that cater to summertime visitors.

Since the 1960s and continuing to this day it has been a rite of passage for countless French-Canadian students to make their way across the country and pick fruit for a summer.