As temperatures rise across the Bay of Plenty, many locals will be looking for the perfect place to cool off – but not all swimming spots are safe.

Tauranga temperatures are expected to hit 30C on Saturday and Sunday.

It is among several areas forecast to hit 30C, with Hastings in Hawke’s Bay set to reach 37C on Sunday.

Rotorua is expecting a high of 27C today and 28C tomorrow.

Land Air Water Aotearoa has highlighted some of the safest spots to take a dip as well as the locations to avoid based on regular summer water-quality testing.

Among the suitable swimming spots is Tilby Point Reserve in Matua, along the southern edge of Tauranga Harbour.

Further inland, the Wairoa River below McLaren Falls was last sampled on January 7 and is also considered suitable for swimming.

Wairoa River below McLaren Falls is considered suitable for swimming, following sampling of the water quality on January 7. Photo / George Novak

Swimmers are urged to take care at this spot due to rapidly rising water levels when the upstream hydroelectric dam releases water.

Rotorua swimmers can enjoy the Hamurana Stream, which was also last tested on January 7.

Waitui Reserve at Te Puna in Tauranga Harbour remains suitable for swimming, with its most recent sample taken in late December.

However, not all well-known swimming holes are safe at present, with several locations under health warnings.

A Bay of Plenty Regional Council spokesperson said that from November 2025 to May 2026, the council was monitoring more than 90 popular swimming sites across the region.

“We test for human health risks, primarily by measuring E. coli levels and monitoring cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) at 12 sites around the Rotorua Lakes.”

These results are uploaded to Land Air Water Aotearoa and shared with the Bay of Plenty and Lakes Public Health Service to determine whether to issue a health warning.

According to Land Air Water Aotearoa, Kaiate Stream at Kaiate Falls has a permanent health warning in place due to regularly high bacteria levels.

Authorities advise against swimming or any recreational water contact.

Kaiate Stream at Kaiate Falls has a permanent health warning in place due to regularly high bacteria levels. Photo / George Novak

The Ōhau Channel at Mourea between Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti – a spot frequented by kayakers, swimmers and anglers – is under a health warning from Toi Te Ora Public Health.

This is due to the elevated cyanobacteria/blue-green algae levels.

“Don’t swim or take part in an activity that may result in accidental consumption or exposure to water affected by algal bloom,” a regional council spokesperson said.

Along with Kaiate Falls, permanent health warnings are in place at Utuhina Stream at Lake Rd, Ngongotahā Stream at the Railway Bridge, Uretara Stream at Henry Rd Ford and Kopurererua Stream at McCord Ave.

Swimmers are also urged to take caution at the Kaituna River and Pahoia Domain in Tauranga Harbour.

Water quality statuses are available on the Land Air Water Aotearoa website.

Land Air Water Aotearoa‘s suitable swimming spots:

• Hamurana Stream
• Kaituna, Te Matai
• Lake Ōkāreka, Steep St Reserve
• Lake Rotoehu, Ōtautū Bay
• Lake Rotoiti
• Lake Rotomā, Whangaroa
• Lake Tarawera
• Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)
• Maketū Beach
• Mount Maunganui Main Beach
• Ōhope Beach
• Pāpāmoa Beach
• Pilot Bay
• Pukehina Beach
• Ōmokoroa Beach
• Tilby Point Reserve, Matua
• Waihī Beach
• Waitui Reserve, Te Puna
• Waimapu Estuary, Tauranga Harbour
• Wairoa River, below McLaren Falls
• Waitetī Stream

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.

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