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Where are your favourite Marlborough swimming spots and have your childhood favourites changed? Sheltered and calm Whites Bay is one of Marlborough’s most popular summer destinations, for swimmers and holidaymakers. It has been rated ‘‘very low risk’’, meaning there is a less than 1 per cent chance of illness. Whites Bay is Marlborough’s only patrolled beach. The council has rated the water quality ‘‘very good’’.

Picton Foreshore

The foreshore is a very popular place throughout the summer period for locals and travellers on the Cook Strait ferries. The Picton Maritime Festival and other events result in large numbers of visitors to the small beach. The foreshore has been judged ‘‘moderate risk’’ for swimmers, with a likelihood of between 5 and 10 per cent risk of illness. The council has rated it ‘‘fair’’.

Wairau River, at SH6

For the more adventurous swimmer: the river bed and banks are dominated by gravel, but sandy areas can be found where the river is deeper and slower flowing. It has been rated ‘‘low risk’’ by LAWA, and ‘‘fair’’ by the council.

Pelorus River at Totara Flat

The Pelorus River at Totara Flat has a deep swimming hole with slow-moving water and a grassy picnic area surrounded by bush. There is a ‘‘moderate risk’’ of illness from swimming there, but it has been rated acceptable for summer, and has been given a ‘‘good’’ rating by the council.

Momorangi Bay, Marlborough Sounds

The Momorangi Bay DOC campground is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the region. It has been rated ‘‘high risk’’ by LAWA, but their latest data shows it is acceptable to swim there. However, according to the council rating of ‘‘poor’’ swimming here should be avoided however by the very young, the elderly and those whose immune systems are compromised.

Craiglochart, on the Waihopai River

The Waihopai River passes through Craiglochart at a site about 30 minutes’ drive southwest of Blenheim. There are a gravel and stone beach areas and a swimming hole at the site. It has been rated ‘‘moderate risk’’ but it is safe to swim there. According to the council swimming should be avoided by the very young, the elderly and those whose immune systems are compromised.

Moetapu Bay, Marlborough Sounds

The sampling site is located at the Double Bay Reserve, a small camping area at the eastern side of the bay. LAWA and the council do not enough data to generate a risk grade – but the bay was sampled this month, and came away with a safety rating of ‘‘acceptable’’.

Opawa River, at Elizabeth St Footbridge, Blenheim

Popular with young people jumping off the bridge or swimming in the river. This site is tree-lined, and is set in the middle of a residential area. The water is deep and slow-moving. The site’s overall recreation risk is ‘‘moderate’’. The council has rated it ‘‘fair’’.

Waikawa Bay, Picton

A reserve and playground adjacent to the sheltered waters of Waikawa Bay beach make it a great place for families to spend a sunny summer afternoon. The bay is a safe swimming spot for all ages. It has been judged ‘‘low risk’’ with between 1 and 5 per cent risk of illness. It has been rated ‘‘good’’ by the council.

Governors Bay, Marlborough Sounds

Governors Bay is a small secluded bay in the Grove Arm of Queen Charlotte Sound. The sandy beach, with a DOC Scenic Reserve as a backdrop, is a popular swimming spot. With little or no wave action and current the bay is very safe. It has been judged ‘‘low risk’’ and an acceptable place to swim. It has been rated ‘‘good’’ by the council.

Pelorus River at Pelorus Bridge

A camping ground and a cafe´ with shop are located nearby. It has been rated ‘‘good’’ by council, and ‘‘low risk’’ by LAWA.

Robin Hood Bay, between Rarangi and Port Underwood

Robin Hood Bay, a short drive from Whites Bay, is a large open bay with designated areas for campervans and tents.It has been rated ‘‘very low risk’’ by LAWA. The council has rated the eastern part of the bay ‘‘very good’’ and the western part ‘‘good’’.

Wairau River at Ferry Bridge, Spring Creek

LAWA has rated this site a ‘‘moderate risk’’ to swimmers. It has been rated ‘‘ fair’’ by the council’’.