Are Auckland beaches safe to swim at?

As we head into summer, Kiwis everywhere will be pulling out their swimwear and scouting for the perfect beach to soak up the sun and splash in the water.

It’s just as crucial to know where not to take a dip. As beautiful as they look, Aotearoa’s beaches, lakes and creeks can contain wastewater. This isn’t because swimmers can’t be bothered using the toilet but because sewage can overflow from manholes, pump stations or gully traps due to floods, landslides or pipe damage.

For a summer of poo-free swims, we are sharing spots to avoid in Auckland and Northland and advice for regions countrywide.

Mechanics Bay has been assigned a black flag due to wastewater overflow. Photo / Safeswim

Do not swim - black flag

Last summer, we reported eight spots Safeswim listed as unsafe to swim. Fortunately, there is just one location swimmers should avoid at the time of writing: Judges Bay in Parnell.

During the 2023 floods, a wastewater pipe below the bay burst. A bypass system is currently in place but until a permanent solution is completed (in mid-July 2025), the central city swim spot has a precautionary black flag.

Swimming not advised - long-term alert

These spots have a “long-term alert”, which means water quality has been “consistently poor” and swimming is not advised.

Coxs Bay, Herne Bay

Meola Creek, Point Chevalier

Oakley Creek, Mount Albert

Lynfield Cove, Lynfield

Green Bay, Greenbay

Wood Bay, Titirangi

Fosters Bay, Huia

Piha North Lagoon, Piha

What places are safe to swim at?

Essentially, everywhere else has been marked with “good water quality” at the time of writing.

That means you can enjoy the best swim spots in Auckland, such as Mathesons Bay near Leigh or Tāwharanui. Closer to the city, there’s also the North Shore gem of Kendall Bay or Karaka Bay Beach.

How do I know if a place is safe to swim?

There are several ways you can check if a place is safe to swim in.

• See up-to-date information on water quality on websites such as LAWA, Safeswim (Auckland, Northland), Greater Wellington or other council websites
• Check for signs or notices posted near swimming spots
• Assess the risk yourself: if a creek, estuary or other spot looks or smells unusual, steer clear
• Avoid swimming near possible contaminants such as water outlets, livestock or bird nesting sites
• Avoid swimming for two to three days after heavy or extended periods of rain, even if the water looks clear.