A stubborn pattern of drownings is continuing at Auckland's black-spot beaches

The region's had 18 water deaths this year - seven at black-spot locations.

Water Safety NZ chief executive Glen Scanlon says the unpredictable conditions at Piha, Te Henga, Muriwai and Karioitahi on the West Coast are particularly dangerous.

He says this summer, we're already tracking ahead of last year in national fatalities.

Scanlon says the worry is it could worsen if people don't look after themselves, as we enter the busiest part of the year.