Open water swim events and adventure holidays in New Zealand

I couldn’t find a one-stop list of New Zealand’s many open water swim events and adventure holidays, so have compiled this one. It’s by no means comprehensive (and these are not paid or affiliate links), but it’s hopefully a useful source of information. It’s mainly for recreational open water swimmers – there are other places to find competitions/marathon swims. It’s also quite Wellington-centric because that’s where I am. Let me know if I’ve missed any!

I’ve also included a list of swim holiday companies and marine conservation organisations to follow and support – see below.

Open water swim events

NZ Ocean Swim Series (November – March)
The locations change a bit each year but generally include Paihia/Russell, Auckland, Mt Maunganui, Taupō, Nelson, and Rotorua (the Blue Lake is one of my favourite swims).

The Ruby Swim (January)
An annual swim event in Lake Wanaka. Distances vary and entries open September(ish) each year.

Scorching Bay and Oriental Bay Challenge (late February)
Swimming Wellington usually offers a couple of open water events, with the exact dates and locations dependant on the weather.

Eastbourne Wharf 2 Wharf (late February)
This Wellington community event has run for more than 75 years and is an accessible 1.2km distance.

Lake Taupō Rotary Across the Lake Swim (late February)
Distances range from 1–4.2km in this “fun and friendly” annual event organised by Lake Taupō Rotary which has been running for more than 60 years.

5 Bridges River Swim (early March)
This freshwater swim event in Hamilton, Waikato has been running for almost 90 years. It’s a 7.1km swim but with the river’s assistance it feels more like 3km, according to the website.

Matiu / Somes Island Challenge (early March)
Another Swimming Wellington-run event, 3.2km from the island across the harbour to Petone Beach.

RealNZ Whakatipu Legend (early March)
Distances vary in this South Island swim event (Queenstown). The 4km swimmers can jump off a steamboat (1.5m or 3.5m options) to commence their swim.

Huka River Swim (early March)
This 3.3km swim takes you down the mighty Waikato River and books out fast every year.

Cathedral Cove Swim (March)
A semi-annual swim event in the Coromandel, run by swimmer and coach Brent Foster.

ANZAC Day swim (April 25)
This is an annual event run by Tri Wellington to commemorate the heroic WWI swim by Sir Bernard Freyberg (listen to the Swim Chats episode about his fascinating life), the namesake of Freyberg Pool, Beach, Carpark and Street!

The Big Swim (June, nationwide)
Not an event as such but a fundraiser for Coastguard NZ. Set your swim distance for the month, join a team, or support someone else’s swim! (Listen to the Swim Chats interview with James Groombridge from Coastguard NZ.

RealNZ Whakatipu Legend Winter Swim (July)
A bracing winter swim event in water that’s 8-10°C.

IISA NZ Ice Swimming Pool and Open Water Championships (July)
One for the hardiest swimmers! Alternates yearly between St Bathan’s Lake and Alexandra Pool, Central Otago. The water is below 5°C.

Swim holidays in NZ and abroad

Marine conservation in NZ

People are doing some great mahi in the moana and wai around Aotearoa! Here are some very important organisations to follow and support: