Tahunanui Beach Recreation Areas

Black buoys keep swimmers safe at Tahunanui

The three 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."

“The area of the black buoys marks the area reserved for swimmers and body boarders where no motorised craft are allowed.”

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

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