Stay Safe at the Beach
The beach is New Zealand's favourite playground, but it can also be a dangerous place. Learning about the risks and preparing yourself will mean you and your family can enjoy the sun, sea and sand and return home safely. We know preventative measures save lives.
Beach and Coastal Safety Messages
The real tragedy behind every fatal drowning is that most, if not all, were preventable. Understanding and following our beach and coastal safety messages saves lives. Get to know them, follow and share them with your family and friends. We want you home safe after a day at the beach!
BEACH SAFETY MESSAGESBeach Hazards
Rips, tides, certain waves and holes are some of the major hazards on New Zealand’s beaches. Do you know how to spot them and what to do to keep yourself safe at the beach?
BEACH HAZARDSBeach & Coastal Safety Report
Even though our volunteer surf lifeguards save thousands of lives and keep thousands safe on the beach each year, for an island nation, our fatal drowning statistics are appalling. Over the last 10 years, our fatal drowning rate has been 70% higher than Australia’s (per capita)! To find out more, you need to read our National Beach & Coastal Safety Report.
BEACH & COASTAL SAFETY REPORTEvent Safety
Need professional water safety for your event? Part of the Event Water Safety service we provide includes developing robust event safety plans with event organisers/race directors and ensuring the safety-plan is implemented at the event.
EVENT SAFETYSurf Education
As an island nation with terrible fatal drowning statistics, we need to empower and educate our children and young people on how to stay safe at the beach. Our Surf Education offering for schools is a great way to introduce them to the open water beach environment and build their confidence in the sea so they can safely enjoy New Zealand's favourite playground.
SURF EDUCATIONFind a lifeguarded beach
During the summer, surf lifeguards patrol 91 beaches across Aotearoa - from Ahipara in Northland to Oreti in Southland. Surf lifeguards will place the red and yellow flags in the safest place to swim at a beach and keep a watchful eye on you, your family, and your friends when you are swimming between the red and yellow flags.
We have partnered with Safeswim to provide you with up-to-date information this summer. Go to the Safeswim website and click on the red and yellow flag at a beach near you for lifeguard patrol times, beach hazards, safety warnings in place, weather conditions, tides, and in some locations, water quality information. Use Safeswim to help you choose which beach to swim at this summer. Don’t forget to check out the Beach and Coastal Safety Messages page on our website to keep you and your family safe.