Wānaka Transfer Station is closed this afternoon due to a power outage and is expected to remain closed for the remainder of the day. The facility will reopen tomorrow as per normal (8.00am – 5.00pm). Apologies for the inconvenience!

Summer 101 - Water Safety

Get informed on how to stay safe when out on the water this summer.

Quick links

Top tips

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Life jackets

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River mouths

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Ski lane safety

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Where to swim

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Heading out on the water? Check out our top tips

Boating, floating, swimming or skiing, if you’re heading out onto our lakes and waterways over the holiday season there are some simple precautions we can all take to keep ourselves and others safe.  Remember:  

  • Conditions change quickly – always check the weather forecast before heading out and tell someone where you’re going.  

  • Carry two forms of waterproof communication (the Marinemate app has plenty of helpful suggestions). 

  • In an emergency call 111 and ask for Police; or if you have a VHF radio, call Channel 5 (Wakatipu) 66 (Wanaka) 4 (Hawea) & 16. These channels are monitored by commercial operators during their operating hours only.

    • Channel 16 may be heard by boat users who are within range and line of sigh of the calling vessel, but calls will rarely be picked up by land-based VHF receivers.

    • Roys Peak Radio Users provides VHF radio services on Channel 66 (Wānaka) and Channel 4 (Hāwea). This is a member funded and
      owned radio service. For inquiries regarding membership and the use of Channel 66/4, visit: royspeakradiousers.co.nz

    • For non-emergency boat-to-boat chit chat, use channel 6 or 8 (simplex – line of sight).
    • Note: Cell and VHF Radio coverage can be limited in our mountainous environment, for remote locations it is also recommended that you also carry a waterproof PLB and/or emergency flares.

  • Report poor behaviour on the water to the harbourmasater – call 03 441 0499.

Check out more boat safety tips on our Lakes and Boating webpage.

Life jackets

Life jackets are the real captains of cool! 

So remember, as a skipper, you must carry a correctly sized lifejacket for each person on board. This is a legal requirement that applies to all boats, including tenders and larger craft.    

Life jackets MUST BE WORN on recreational vessels, six metres and under (including kayaks) while underway.

River mouths

Please take extra precautions when swimming or fishing at river mouths around the district this summer.  The best way to stay safe is:  

  • Take extreme caution and assess the presence of any strong undertows, unstable footing, and steep drop offs in our lakes. 

  • Take extra precaution with the presence of soft sand and gravel around river deltas. 

  • Anglers and swimmers should use extreme care in river deltas, and avoid these high-risk areas if possible. 

Have fun in the sun and enjoy our district’s amazing rivers and lakes and look after one another. 

Ski lane safety

Make waves, not worries on our ski lanes this summer!

If you’re water-skiing in our district while the weather’s warm and the water’s welcoming, remember to travel in an anti-clockwise direction within any ski lane, and keep right when entering and exiting the area.

You must have an observer (over 10 years old) to report any mishap to the driver. No swimming is allowed in ski lanes, nor is beaching a vessel within one.

And finally, you must not exceed 5 knots unless you’re towing a skier.

Where to swim

Fancy a dip to cool off?    

Over summer Otago Regional Council <tag> carries out recreational water quality monitoring at Lake Hayes, Lake Hāwea, Frankton Beach, Queenstown Bay and Lake Wānaka   

Check out Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA)'s handy 'Can I Swim Here?' Map for the latest water quality information to help you decide when and where to swim 

Related Content

Lakes & Boating

There are three main lakes in our district – Lake Whakatipu, Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea. These are all popular spots for boating, swimming and other water sports.