Summer water quality monitoring
12/02/2025 10:53am
Nelson City Council is committed to ensuring the safety and enjoyment of our beautiful bathing sites. Here’s the latest water quality update for our popular spots
We are monitoring sites twice weekly until the end of February.
After hearing that a person appears to have experienced an allergic response after swimming in the Maitai, we increased monitoring efforts across three additional bathing sites in the Maitai River: Black Hole, Dennis Hole, and Sunday Hole.
The results of this extra monitoring came back and confirm that cyanobacteria levels at all monitored sites are considered low at 3% (low range 0 – 20%) or below:
Maitai at Maitai Camp: 2.5%
Maitai at Dennis Hole: 0.25%
Maitai at Avon Terrace: 3%
Maitai at Black Hole downstream of swimming hole: 3%
Maitai at Black Hole upstream of swimming hole: 0% At the moment, caution is advised at Cable Bay Beach and The Glen, however all other swimming sites including: the Maitai Campground, Sunday Hole, Girlies Hole, Tāhunanui Beach, Monaco Pier, Atawhai – Nelson Haven and Wakapuaka – Paremata Flats are suitable for swimming.
Before you (or your dog) dive in, check the current water quality status on our website: nelson.govt.nz/environment/water-3/recreational-bathingwater-quality/can-i-swim-here/
Stay informed and swim safe