Queenstown-Lakes district harbour master Marty Black said no infringement notices had been handed out by his team.
Unsettled weather had meant fewer people on the lakes, which had played a role, but it also seemed the water safety message was getting through to people, Mr Black said.
''There was a couple or three groups paddleboarding out on Lake Wanaka this morning, about 30 of them, and the whole lot had life jackets on.''
Until the end of January, 14 contractors with jet skis will be stationed at ramps around Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and Lake Wakatipu to monitor the behaviour of boat users, kayakers and other lake users.
The fine for not wearing a life jacket is $300, and there is a $500 penalty for dangerous navigation.
All persons aboard vessels less than 6m must wear a life jacket.
''We've been working hard for the past four or five years to get the life jacket message across, and it seems to be working, which is good.''
There had been a few incidents on Lake Wanaka, including the Ruby Island party, but generally the behaviour of people on the lake had been very good, he said.
Lakes Wakatipu and Hawea were also almost incident-
free.
''There's certainly a few people around, but for some reason, maybe it's the weather, we're not as busy as we usually are.''
While the busiest period for boating had ended, there would still be a significant number of boats and other smaller vessels on the lakes until the end of the month.
''What happens is in some areas, like Glendhu Bay, you get a second wave, which lasts until the end of the month, and we will still be out monitoring until then.''
Last week, emergency services, including the harbour master and Wanaka Coastguard, had to escort hundreds of intoxicated revellers on cheap plastic inflatables as they floated back to the shore from Ruby Island, after an unauthorised party on the small island.
No-one was issued with an infringement notice.
''At the time our priority was to make sure everyone made it to the shore safely, which everyone did, thankfully.''
A large number was already wearing life jackets.
''The problem wasn't they weren't wearing life jackets, it was that many were very intoxicated.''
