Do not swim: Popular Auckland beach off limits after wastewater floods bay

Author: Kelsie Wilkie,
Publish Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2025, 12:24pm

Multiple locations across Auckland – including a popular eastern bays beach – have been flagged as unsafe to swim at due to faecal contamination.

Water-quality website Safeswim has red-flagged 15 swimming spots, meaning swimming is not advised. These beaches include Green Bay, Bethells Lagoon and Coxs Bay.

While most beaches across the city remain safe for swimmers, two spots have been black-flagged – meaning swimmers should not to swim there at all – those being St Heliers and Judges Bay.

Safeswim said work was under way to fix issues at St Heliers and Judges Bay; however, it is not clear how long the areas will remain off limits for swimmers.

Investigations were still under way to find out the source of wastewater pollution going into the stream around Dingle Rd that flows to the beach at St Heliers.

St Heliers has been black-flagged, warning people not to swim there at all. Photo / Chris Tarpey

“Overflows are more common in wet weather, but they can happen in dry weather if pipes are blocked or damaged,” Safeswim’s website states.

Safeswim water-quality models predict that levels of faecal bacteria breach national guidelines for swimming.

It advises people against swimming in contaminated water.

The warning comes as temperatures are tipped to rise in the coming days.

MetService predicts a few showers and developing northwesterlies this afternoon across Auckland.

The wind is expected to stick around until Wednesday afternoon before clearing by Christmas Day, when the mercury is expected to reach a comfortable 24C.

Friday is expected to be mainly fine, with chances of showers and a high of 25C.

Where to avoid: