Coastguard Wanaka Lakes

31/03/2026

📣Mariners please be aware of vessel restrictions in Roy’s Bay from Wanaka beachfront to Eely point

🗓️⏰Friday April 3rd @3:45-5:15pm (Good Friday)

See image for safe passage to marina and further details!

Notice forwarded as per Queenstown Lake District Council.

Reserved Area: Warbirds Over Wānaka Lake Display 2026

📍 Location: Roys Bay, Wānaka
📅 Friday 3 April 2026 (Good Friday), 3.45-5.15pm

A temporary reserved area will be in place to support the Warbirds Over Wanaka Lake Display 2026, including amphibious aircraft operations.

The reserved area applies to both private and commercial vessels. No unauthorised vessels are permitted to enter the area pictured below during this time. All vessels viewing from the water must remain clear of the area, minimise wake, and follow all instructions from officials and the waterways team.

Thank you for your assistance in helping ensure the event runs safely for everyone.

20/03/2026

Event notice 🗓️ This SUNDAY, March 22 2026

⚠️Reserved Area and Speed Uplift: Matukituki River and Lake Wanaka
⏰22 March, 9.30am-3.00pm (Matukituki River) and 9.00-10.00am (Lake Wanaka)
📍Location(s): From the shore of Glendhu Bay Rotary Park boat ramp to Roys Peninsula, (including a speed uplift from the shore-line around Roys Peninsula to the 200m mark from shore), continuing to the mouth of the Matukituki River and extending approximately 27km upstream of the Matukituki River.

Notice as per Queenstown Lakes District Council.

Reserved Area and Speed Uplift: Matukituki River and Lake Wānaka

📅 22 March, 9.30am-3.00pm (Matukituki River) and 9.00-10.00am (Lake Wānaka)

📍 Location(s): From the shore of Glendhu Bay Rotary Park boat ramp (-44.670810, 169.010900) to Roys Peninsula, (including a speed uplift from the shore-line around Roys Peninsula to the 200m mark from shore), continuing to the mouth of the Matukituki River and extending approximately 27km upstream of the Matukituki River (-44.485095, 168.824617).

11/03/2026

Our wonderful volunteers lent assistance to a vessel with engine issues, towing the vessel home. Not a bad day to leave the office and lend a helping hand to fellow boaties.

27/01/2026

A stunning day here in Wānaka and a good opportunity to spruce up the CRV ☀️

27/01/2026

Thanks for keeping us connected!

The repeater! Been a few lake rescues this season thanks to this!

19/01/2026

18/01/2026

A busy weekend with calls for assistance from the Wanaka Lakes volunteers.
Friday saw a PWC (jetski) floating a little lower in the water than it should.
Saturday, we also came to the assistance of a jetboat that had also unfortunately found itself with a little too much water on board.
Lastly, late on a beautiful Sunday evening, we assisted with an engine that wouldn't start.

All happily assisted to safety!

31/12/2025

A slightly different task for the crew tonight. The fireworks barge towed into position, and we provided the vessel from which the fireworks crew started the show.

Happy new year from the team at Coastguard Wanaka. Stay safe on the water.

31/12/2025

Thanks to our volunteers, sponsors and supporters. As we close out 2025 with reflection on all we achieved, we look forward to 2026 and being there for our lake users. Be safe on the water these holidays and always. All the best from us.

29/12/2025

30/10/2025

We are grateful for our role in the community and most importantly to our Volunteers who make situations like run extremely efficient. It is because of the effort of our team, in each response and training, that we were able to group and be on scene in 26 minutes.

Just before 6pm last night, Coastguard Wanaka Lakes were alerted by Police to a vessel taking on water between Bull Island and Mt Burke Station on Lake Wānaka. The 3m tinny had three people on board who were all wearing lifejackets.

Three Coastguard volunteers aboard Waiariki Rescue responded swiftly to the scene, where a commercial vessel was already assisting the trio in bailing out water. The group had been in the lake but managed to climb back into the tinny before help arrived.

Volunteers brought them aboard, dried them off, and provided warm clothing. With lake temperatures hovering around 8-9°C, they were very cold and were taken back to the marina, where Ambulance staff took over their care.

With summer approaching, this incident is a timely reminder of the risks on our stunning alpine lakes. Cold water, unpredictable weather, and strong winds can turn a day out into a dangerous situation. We’re grateful for the fast response from Coastguard volunteers both on the water and on shore, Police, and Ambulance, which ensured a safe outcome for all involved.

29/10/2025

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