As the weather heats up, Hunter beaches have been given a glowing report card for their water quality.
The 17 beaches monitored in the Hunter fell in the top two categories, with most securing a Very Good grading except for Swansea Heads Little Beach, according to the state government's water quality report.
A Very Good rating meant "excellent" water quality and locations that were suitable for swimming almost all the time.
Little Beach was ranked as Good due to safe swimming conditions during dry weather but elevated pollution levels during heavy rainfall.
Enterococci levels, which were bacteria present in faeces, increased slightly at the Lake Macquarie spot with increasing rain, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit.
Contamination from faecal matter can cause health issues such as gastroenteritis and eye, ear, skin and upper respiratory tract infections.
The report cautioned that even for highly-ranked beaches, swimmers should still avoid the water for one day after heavy rain or signs of stormwater pollution such as discoloured water or floating debris.
Compiled by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the 2023-24 report was based on water quality data collected over the last two to four years.
Beaches in Port Stephens, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle were included in the reports, with rankings consistent with last year.
While the majority (67 per cent) of Sydney beaches were highly-rated, popular spots including Bronte, Coogee, Shelly Beach and Boat Harbour received a Poor rating.
This means that the city-based beaches were susceptible to faecal pollution, particularly during wet weather and sometimes during clear conditions.
President of Merewether Surfboard Club Cal Horton said he usually found local beaches to have great water quality.
"For such a regional hub, and the amount of population we have in the area, I think it's hats off to us," he said.
"We keep them clean, we keep them pristine, and we keep people wanting to come here because of our beaches."
Mr Horton said that while the Newcastle to Merewether coastal stretch was "amazing", the water was even clearer further south towards Redhead and Belmont.
"Most of the time it is clear, it doesn't smell, you don't have any film on you when you get out of the water."
Newcastle Herald Beachwatch writer Dave Anderson, who has lived in the area his whole life, says the water quality has improved.
"A lot of people who go out surfing, you don't hear them getting infections if they have lacerations or cuts or anything like that, and I think fishing in general is quite healthy as well," Mr Anderson said.
He said that generally the water quality was really good, but could dip during big storms.
His top swimming picks included Nobbys, Cowrie Hole, Newcastle Beach, South Bar Beach and Merewether, as well as Boxy Beach and Zenith Beach in Port Stephens, where the water was "crystal clear".
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the results reinforced the excellent beaches in Newcastle.
"We have excellent water quality, and swimmers can check the Beachwatch forecasts before swimming to make sure they swim safely this summer," he said.
Daily Beachwatch pollution forecasts across the state can be found at beachwatch.nsw.gov.au.
