This summer, whether you're out on the sea in a boat, enjoying the refreshing waters of Otago’s stunning lakes and rivers, taking friends or family for a swim at your favourite spot, or walking the dog near a local waterway — make the most of it and have fun.
But remember, safety comes first. Activities on or near water have their safety risks, so we've put together some essential safety tips and things to avoid to help you have a safe and memorable summer.
Boating, kayaking, paddleboarding can be a thrilling and relaxing way to connect with nature over summer, but safety should always be a top priority.
Whether you're an experienced boatie or just getting started, it’s important to familiarise yourself with local boating regulations and safety precautions before setting out.
In addition to properly maintaining your boat, make sure to check your safety equipment and be aware of other water users. Areas change, so stay up to date with the current knowledge, and be an even better boatie by upskilling before crossing the bar.
By following these safety guidelines below, you can ensure a fun and safe adventure on the water this summer.
- Always wear your life jacket
- Take two waterproof ways to call for help
- Check the marine weather forecast
- Avoid alcohol
- Be a responsible skipper
We have a great series of safer boating videos on our YouTube channel with advice ranging from how to use a killcord to ways to stay in contact while out on the water.
Swimming this summer?
Before you make splash, check the weekly water quality results at Otago’s most popular swimming spots by visiting LAWA at:
Water quality and conditions can change quickly, so to help keep you, your family, and your pets well this summer, follow the swim smart checklist:
- Avoid swimming for 48 hours after heavy rain as run-off can be washed into waterways.
- Follow any warning signs and check the LAWA website
- Check the water is clean and clear
- Stay away from any pipes, culverts, and flocks of birds
- Check for hazards
- Know how to spot toxic algae in rivers or lakes so you can avoid it
Known also as cyanobacteria, toxic algae are naturally occurring, often blooming in warm, summertime conditions in lakes and rivers.
Toxic algae can be harmful to humans, and is especially dangerous to animals, such as dogs.
Please take care if walking your dog near any waterways. Keep them away from anything that resembles toxic algae.
Don’t go swimming in areas with toxic algae present.
Check for toxic algae warnings, learn how to spot toxic algae, and find out which swimming spots are known hotspots.
Invasive freshwater pests, such as lagarosiphon and didymo, could squeeze the life out of our precious rivers and lakes, and can be spread by a single drop of water or plant fragment.
Check, Clean, Dry
If you’re moving your gear between waterways, you must always clean all gear that has come into contact with water – use the ‘Check, Clean, Dry’ method below to help stop freshwater pests spreading.
Check
Remove any algae or plant matter from your gear and leave it at the site (the river or lake bank) or put it in the rubbish. Don’t wash plant material down any drain.
Clean
There’s more than one option for cleaning your gear – choose the best one for your situation and your gear.
Dry
Ensure your gear is completely dry to touch, inside and out, then leave it to dry for at least another 48 hours before you use it (didymo can survive for months on moist gear).
Recreational water use
Whether you're paddling, powering, or anything in between, safety is paramount. Check out our advice on recreational boating basics to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Can I swim here?
LAWA monitors the water quality for around 850 beach, river and lake sites throughout Aotearoa New Zealand over summer. View latest results on the LAWA website here.
Check, Clean, Dry
CHECK your gear and remove pests. CLEAN your gear thoroughly. DRY it for 48 hours before moving to another waterway!
Recreational water quality
Water quality in Otago is generally very good, and there are many great places to swim. To keep people safe, ORC monitors popular swim spots each summer to check that the water is suitable for swimming and recreation.
Protect our Paradise
Do you know what’s lurking beneath your boat? The ORC Biosecurity team works hard to stop harmful pests from spreading in Otago’s coastline and helps people learn how to keep these pests out.
Toxic algae warnings
Naturally occurring algae can be toxic and harmful to human and animal health. Learn more about toxic algae and see a list of sighted and confirmed areas with toxic algae in Otago.
