Nelson City Council

Black buoys keep swimmers safe at Tahunanui

The four black buoys at Tahunanui Beach are there to keep swimmers safe and denote the area exclusively for them.

Nelson City Council controls harbour safety and that includes ensuring all water users can safely carry out recreation activities.

Nelson Harbourmaster Dave Duncan says it is one of the ways Council manages the demand on its coastal waters for a range of competing uses and the controls are set out in the Navigation and Safety Bylaw.

 “Tahunanui Beach is the iconic summer location for Nelson and has an enviable reputation as a safe area to swim. The black buoys mark out an area where families and swimmers can freely enjoy the warm waters of Tasman Bay.

*image showing the four black buoy's location and access way.

“Within the area of the black buoys no motorised craft are allowed, and there is restricted access for non-motorised water craft.”

There is an access lane for any non-motorised craft such as windsurfers and kayaks, between the second black buoy closest to Rocks Road and the beach in front of the Abel Tasman statue. At the other end, after the fourth buoy is where other sports such as kite boarding can safely launch well away from swimmers.

If anyone wants to carry out activities on non-motorised craft within the designated swimming area, all they need to do is get a dispensation from the harbourmaster, says Dave.

“Such dispensations are readily given but they do enable the Harbourmaster to notify the public of these events and to ensure appropriate signs are in place when they are on.”

Go here for information on Bylaw 205 - navigation and safety.