Last updated October 2026
Morrisons Beach (LAWA spells it Morrison’s Beach) is a small beach on the Bluff Harbour foreshore in Bluff, about 30 km south of Invercargill.
LAWA lists swimming, walking, fishing and dog walking here, and Environment Southland tests the water every week over summer as one of the region’s recreational swimming spots. It holds a Good long-term grade on LAWA. The beach is right beside the main road with parking on the street front, and seals often come ashore.
Swimming Facts
Environment Southland tests Morrisons Beach weekly from December to March. Check the latest result before you swim, and stay out of the water for 48 hours after heavy rain.
Today’s result on LAWAToday at Morrisons Beach
Sunday 18 OctoberWater quality track record
What the grades mean
Excellent and Good: rarely unsafe for swimming. Fair: usually fine, but avoid swimming after rain. Poor: often unsuitable, especially after rain, so check the latest result first.
Grades use LAWA’s method: the 95th percentile of routine enterococci results over the five summers from 2020/21 to 2024/25, with at least 50 tests (70 per 100 mL from 87 tests).
Practical Information
- Location
- Bluff Harbour foreshore, Bluff (Invercargill City)
- Getting there
- Bluff is about 30 km south of Invercargill (Invercargill City Council); the beach is accessed directly from the main road
- Water
- Harbour beach, tidal (nearest tide station: Bluff)
- Water quality
- Good (LAWA long-term grade)
- Testing
- Weekly from December to March by Environment Southland
- Parking
- On the street front beside the beach
- Lifeguards
- None listed
- Cost
- Free
About Morrisons Beach
Morrisons Beach faces into Bluff Harbour rather than the open sea, on the harbour side of Bluff. LAWA describes it as accessed directly from the main road, with parking along the street front, and notes that the beach is often visited by seals coming ashore.
Locals have plans for it. The Bluff Community Board’s community action plan lists sand dune restoration at Argyle and Morrisons Beach, plantings and information points from the rowing club to Morrisons Beach, and a boardwalk from Morrisons Beach to Stirling Point. These are community aspirations rather than finished projects.
Swimming and Water Quality at Morrisons Beach
Environment Southland tests the water at Morrisons Beach every week from December to March, as part of its monitoring of popular recreational spots that Southlanders helped identify, and shares the results on LAWA.
The beach has a Good LAWA long-term grade: 97% of 207 tests between 2019 and 2025 were suitable for swimming. A Good grade means the water is rarely unsuitable for swimming, but it is a long-term record, not a promise for any particular day.
Check the latest result on LAWA before you swim, and stay out of the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain. LAWA suggests waiting two to three days after heavy or prolonged rain. The tests cover bacteria only, so take note of any other signs or warnings.
This is a working harbour. Invercargill City Council says there is no swimming within 50 m of the Bluff boat ramp, and boats must keep to 5 knots within 200 m of the shore.
Stay well clear of the ramp, wharves and moored boats, and watch for boat traffic. No lifeguard service is listed, so swim with others and keep children close.
Seals and Wildlife
Seals often haul out on the beach. The Department of Conservation asks people to stay at least 20 m away where they can, never get between a seal and the sea, keep dogs on a leash and well away, and never touch or feed them. Seals and sea lions are protected under the Marine Mammals Protection Act.
Where to Learn More
LAWA and Environment Southland: the latest “Can I Swim Here?” result and the long-term water quality grade for Bluff Harbour at Morrison’s Beach.
Environment Southland: Summer swimming: how the council tests popular swimming spots each summer, with a link to its live results map.
Invercargill City Council: Bluff boat ramp: harbour safety rules, including the no-swimming zone around the ramp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Morrisons Beach?
Yes. LAWA lists swimming here and Environment Southland tests the water weekly over summer. Check the latest result on LAWA before you swim, and stay out for at least 48 hours after heavy rain.
What is the water quality like?
Morrisons Beach has a Good LAWA long-term grade. Of 207 tests between 2019 and 2025, 97% were suitable for swimming.
When is the water tested?
Environment Southland samples the beach every week from December to March, and the results go onto LAWA.
Where is Morrisons Beach?
On the Bluff Harbour foreshore in Bluff, beside the main road. Bluff is about 30 km south of Invercargill.
Is there parking?
Yes. LAWA says there is parking on the street front beside the beach.
Are there seals at the beach?
Often. Stay at least 20 m away where you can, never get between a seal and the sea, and keep dogs on a leash.
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