Speed limits near swimmers, by state

October 1, 2026

Every summer someone asks on the forums what the speed limit is near swimmers, and gets five different answers. They're probably all right for somewhere. Each state and New Zealand sets its own numbers. Here they are side by side. Signposted local limits always override them.

New South Wales: it's about distance

NSW doesn't set a speed near swimmers. It sets a distance.

60 m from people in the water, the edge of marked swimming areas and surf zones, and dive flags or floats. Divers can be up to 100 m from their float, so take care within 200 m of any dive activity.
At 6 knots or more, keep 30 m from other vessels (including moored and anchored boats), jetties, bridges and the shore.
Personal watercraft can't ride irregularly (circling, weaving, wave-jumping) within 200 m of shore in designated areas or near houses.

Queensland: 6 knots within 30 m

These apply across Queensland whether or not there's a sign:

6 knots within 30 m of people in the water, boats that are anchored, moored or aground, and jetties, wharves, pontoons and boat ramps.
6 knots in all canals, boat harbours and marinas, unless signs say otherwise.
Jet skis: 6 knots within 60 m of people in the water, moored boats, ramps and jetties, the shore and the edge of a bathing reserve.

Victoria: 5 knots, and the 200 m beach zone

5 knots within 50 m of a person (such as a swimmer) or another vessel.
5 knots within 100 m of a boat or buoy flying a diver-below flag.
On coastal and enclosed waters, 5 knots within 200 m of the water's edge, except in a marked access lane. That 200 m rule is what keeps Port Phillip beaches calm in summer.
On inland waters, 5 knots within 50 m of the shore and structures.

Western Australia: 8 knots within 50 m

8 knots within 50 m of a person in the water, and of jetties, wharves and riverbanks.
8 knots in water shallower than 3 m, within 15 m of another vessel underway, through bridge arches and in mooring areas, unless a sign says otherwise.

New Zealand: the 5-knot rule

Maritime Rule 91.6 applies nationwide:

5 knots within 50 m of another vessel, a raft or a person in the water.
5 knots within 200 m of the shore or any structure.
5 knots within 200 m of a boat or raft flying a dive flag (Flag A).
5 knots if anyone is sitting on the bow or hanging over the side.

Regional councils can add their own zones and access lanes.

Wash: the part with no number

Speed limits are the easy part. Wash is where most complaints and damage come from. A big boat at 6 knots can throw a bigger wake than a runabout on the plane. A few habits:

Come off the plane well before the zone. Settling off the plane often throws a bigger wake than running at speed.
Look behind you. If your wake is breaking on the beach, rocking moored boats or swamping paddlers, you're going too fast for where you are.
Give paddlers, swimmers and dinghies a wide berth, even outside the distances above.

Why it matters in January

It's the busiest month on the water, with the most swimmers and the most new skippers on borrowed boats. A swimmer's head is a small, dark shape in glare and chop. The distances above are minimums. On a holiday beach, give people more room.

Sources

nsw.gov.au — NSW 60 m from people in the water, swim zones and dive flags; 30 m from vessels, structures and shore at 6 knots or more
msq.qld.gov.au — QLD statewide 6 knots within 30 m of people in the water, anchored or moored boats, jetties and ramps; PWC 6 knots within 60 m, including the shore
msq.qld.gov.au — QLD 6 knots in canals, boat harbours and marinas; 40-knot smooth-water default
safetransport.vic.gov.au — VIC 5 knots within 50 m of a person or vessel; 100 m of a diver-below flag; 200 m of the water's edge on coastal and enclosed waters, except access lanes
transport.wa.gov.au — WA 8 knots within 50 m of a person in the water, jetties and riverbanks, in under 3 m of water, within 15 m of a vessel underway, in mooring areas
maritimenz.govt.nz — NZ rule 91.6: 5 knots within 50 m of any vessel, raft or person in the water; 200 m of the shore or any structure; 200 m of a dive flag; no riding on the bow above 5 knots