Man drowns 20m out from shore

A man has died in the Marlborough Sounds after he became tangled in kelp. File photo / NZ Herald

A Christchurch man drowned while snorkelling in the Marlborough Sounds on Christmas Day, police say.

The 53-year-old got into difficulty about 7pm when he got tangled in kelp about 20 metres from the shore in Te Awaiti Bay, near Tory Channel.

A family member went to help him, but was unable to save him, police said.

The man was holidaying with family in the area.

The area he was snorkelling in was a popular paua diving area, Go Dive Marlborough manager Brent McFadden told APNZ.

"For paua divers and those sort of people it's popular because there are quite a few paua down that area of Tory Channel.

"In the Marlborough Sounds, pretty much all your snorkelling and diving is close to the shore ... because pretty much all the kelp and all the reasons why you would be snorkelling or diving are close to the shore,'' he said.

It was not a popular family swimming spot, he said.

"In areas it can be dangerous, there are little bays in there which are calm and very protective and are as safe as diving in the local swimming pool, however there are areas ... that are quite dangerous.''

Police said the deceased's name would not be released until next of kin had been advised.

Last summer 10 New Zealanders drowned between 4pm Christmas Eve and 6am January 5.