Where To Go Fishing in Whangarei

Whangārei is surrounded by some of Northland’s best fishing waters. From the sheltered harbour to sweeping surf beaches and offshore grounds, there’s something for everyone with a rod. Whether you’re a beginner dropping a line off the wharf, a keen surfcaster chasing snapper in the shallows, or an angler looking for big game out wide, the area has no shortage of options. The variety of species, easy access, and year-round opportunities make Whangārei a top destination for fishing.

Fishing in Whangārei Harbour

The harbour is one of the easiest places to fish in Whangārei, with plenty of spots that don’t require a boat. Jetties, wharves, and sheltered bays make it accessible for families and casual anglers as well as those chasing bigger fish.

Popular spots include:

• Onerahi Jetty – great for kids and beginners, with sprats, kahawai, and trevally often caught on sabiki rigs.
• Parua Bay Wharf – a well-known local fishing spot where you’ll find trevally, kahawai, and the occasional kingfish cruising past.
• Tamaterau and Reotahi – good shore-based options for snapper, gurnard, and kahawai.

What you’ll catch: snapper, kahawai, trevally, gurnard, and sometimes kingfish.

Best times to fish: around the change of light at dawn or dusk, especially on an incoming tide when fish move closer inshore to feed.

Tips:

• Soft baits and pilchards work well for snapper.
• Sabiki rigs are ideal for catching baitfish or keeping kids entertained.
• Kayak fishing is popular in the harbour, allowing you to get to channels and deeper holes where larger fish gather.

Surfcasting at Ocean Beach and Whangārei Heads

For anglers who enjoy surfcasting, Ocean Beach and the rocky points around Whangārei Heads offer some of the best opportunities in the region. The long stretch of sand at Ocean Beach is easy to access from the carpark, while the points near Bream Head give more experienced fishers the chance to cast into deeper water.

Target species: snapper, kahawai, and kingfish are the main catches. During the cooler months, snapper often come close to shore, while summer can bring schools of kahawai chasing baitfish in the surf. Kingfish occasionally patrol the rocky points and can be tempted with a live bait or stick bait.

Best conditions: surfcasting here is most productive in the evenings, particularly on a rising tide. A light swell helps stir up food and bring fish closer in, but heavy seas can make fishing difficult and unsafe.

Tips:

• Fresh bait such as pipis, pilchards, or squid tends to get the best results.
• Long-casting rigs help reach deeper gutters where fish hold.
• If targeting kingfish, try a live kahawai under a balloon rig near the rocks.

Bream Bay: Ruakākā & Uretiti Beaches

Just south of Whangārei, Bream Bay offers kilometres of sandy shoreline perfect for surfcasting. Both Ruakākā and Uretiti are easy to access, making them popular with locals and holidaymakers looking for a relaxed day of fishing.

Target species: snapper are the main draw, especially in spring and early summer when they move closer to shore to feed and spawn. Kahawai are also common, often schooling up and working baitfish along the surf line. Trevally and gurnard turn up from time to time as well.

Best times: early morning and late afternoon are reliable, particularly around a change of tide. Spring and early summer are the peak times for snapper, while kahawai can be caught year-round.

Tips:

• Watch for bird activity offshore, which often signals schools of kahawai pushing bait in close.
• Use long-casting rigs to reach deeper water beyond the breakers.
• Fresh baits like mullet, pilchards, and squid generally out-fish frozen options.

Tutukaka Coast & Offshore Fishing

• e tide times before launching, as some ramps are easier to use on a higher tide.

The Tutukaka Coast is famous for its fishing, offering both excellent land-based spots and access to some of New Zealand’s best offshore grounds. Sheltered bays like Matapōuri, Sandy Bay, and Whale Bay are good for snapper and trevally, while rocky headlands provide opportunities for kahawai and kingfish.

Rock and beach fishing: These coastal bays are productive year-round, with trevally often caught on light tackle and snapper feeding closer in during the cooler months. Kingfish patrol the rocky points, making them a prime target for live baits or stick baits.

Offshore fishing: Tutukaka Marina is the hub for deep-sea charters, which head out to the Poor Knights Islands and beyond. These trips offer the chance to target larger species, including kingfish, hapuku, bluenose, and in summer, game fish like marlin, tuna, and mahi mahi.

Best seasons:

• Snapper & trevally: year-round, with bigger fish closer in during winter and spring.
• Kingfish: best in summer and autumn.
• Game fish (marlin, tuna, mahi mahi): peak season is December to April.

Tips:

• From shore, soft plast
• ics and fresh baits work well in the bays.
• For kingfish, live baits such as kahawai or jack mackerel under a balloon are highly effective.
• Booking a charter in summer gives you the best chance at landing a game fish.

Freshwater Fishing Options Around Whangārei

While Whangārei is best known for its saltwater fishing, there are a few freshwater spots worth visiting if you’d like a change of pace. These locations are ideal for families, beginners, or anyone wanting a relaxed day out with simple gear.

Wairua River & Hikurangi Swamp: These waters are home to eels and perch. They’re not trophy fisheries, but they provide plenty of fun, especially for kids. A simple handline or light rod with worms or corn can be enough to get bites.

Lake Waro, Hikurangi: This scenic lake is popular for picnics and family outings, with easy access for shore fishing. Perch are the most common catch, with the odd eel. It’s a safe, beginner-friendly option.

What to expect: Northland isn’t known for trout fishing like Rotorua or Taupō, but perch and eels provide good sport. These freshwater spots are more about casual fun and teaching kids than chasing big catches.

Tips:

• Use worms, corn, or small soft baits for perch.
• Eels will take just about any bait, especially meat scraps or fish pieces.
• Light tackle makes the experience more enjoyable.

Where to Launch Your Boat in Whangārei

For those with a boat, Whangārei offers several good launch points that give access to both harbour and offshore fishing grounds.

Onerahi Boat Ramp: One of the busiest ramps in the harbour, giving quick access to the main channel and out towards Whangārei Heads. From here you can fish the harbour, head to Ocean Beach, or make your way further offshore.

Parua Bay Ramp: A sheltered option that’s great for smaller boats. It provides easy access to the eastern side of the harbour and is a good starting point if you’re targeting snapper or trevally around the reefs and channels. There is a public boat ramp here and also a “member only” boat ramp with secure parking.

Marsden Cove Marina: A modern, well-equipped launch point with facilities for larger boats. From here you can head straight into Bream Bay or make the run north towards the Tutukaka Coast. This is also where many offshore charters depart.

Tutukaka Marina: The main departure point for big game fishing trips. It’s ideal for heading out to the Poor Knights Islands or further offshore to chase marlin, tuna, or hapuku. The marina also has good facilities for fuelling, supplies, and post-trip cleaning.

Tips:

• Marsden Cove and Tutukaka are best suited for larger boats and offshore trips.
• Onerahi and Parua Bay are convenient for smaller vessels fishing inside or just outside the harbour.

Fishing Charters in Whangarei

If you don’t own a boat or want the expertise of a local skipper, fishing charters are a great way to experience Whangārei’s offshore fishing. Most charters depart from Tutukaka Marina or Marsden Cove, giving direct access to prime grounds in Bream Bay, the Hen and Chickens, the Poor Knights Islands, and beyond.

What you can catch on a charter:

• Snapper & trevally – targeted on inshore reefs and sandy bottoms.
• Kingfish – often caught live-baiting around reefs, pins, and headlands.
• Deepwater species – hapuku and bluenose for those heading further offshore.
• Game fish – marlin, tuna, and mahi mahi during summer.

Charter options:

• Half-day trips – usually focus on snapper, trevally, and kahawai inshore.
• Full-day trips – target a wider range of species and often include kingfish and deep water fishing.
• Game fishing charters – run in summer, specialising in marlin and tuna.

Tips:

• Summer (Dec–Apr) is the best time for game fish.
• Book in advance, especially during holidays, as spots fill quickly.
• Bring your own food and water, but most charters supply tackle and bait.

Best Baits & Techniques for Whangārei

Different spots around Whangārei call for different approaches, but a few tried-and-true methods will give you the best chance of success.

Snapper

• Baits: pilchards, squid, mullet, or fresh shellfish like pipis.
• Techniques: strayline rigs work well in the harbour and off the beaches; soft baits are effective when drifting in a boat or casting from shore.

Kahawai

• Baits: small pilchards, bonito strips, or live sprats.
• Lures: silver spoons, hex wobblers, and soft plastics fished at speed.
• Techniques: cast into schools chasing baitfish, often spotted by birds working the surface.

Kingfish

• Baits: live kahawai or jack mackerel are the most effective.
• Lures: stick baits and poppers work well around rocky points.
• Techniques: balloon rigs off rocks or boats; jigging is also popular around offshore reefs.

Trevally

• Baits: shellfish, small pieces of pilchard, or prawns.
• Techniques: use small hooks and light line, as trevally can be wary. They are strong fighters for their size and a rewarding catch.

General tips:

• Fresh bait nearly always outperforms frozen.
• Match your tackle to the species – light gear makes trevally fun, but you’ll need heavier setups for kingfish.
• Change of light (dawn and dusk) is often the most productive time across all locations.

Fishing Rules & Safety

Before heading out, it’s important to know the local regulations and stay safe while fishing around Whangārei.

Fishing regulations:

• Size and bag limits: The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sets daily limits for common species like snapper, kahawai, and kingfish. These can change, so always check the current rules before you head out.
• Closed areas: Some shellfish beds and marine reserves are no-take zones. The Poor Knights Islands, for example, are a fully protected marine reserve where no fishing is allowed.
• Responsible fishing: Take only what you need and release undersized fish carefully to ensure healthy stocks for the future.

Safety tips:

• Rock fishing: Always check the swell and tide forecast before heading onto exposed ledges. Wear a lifejacket if fishing from hazardous spots.
• Boating: Carry lifejackets, check your fuel, and let someone know where you’re going. Conditions can change quickly.
• Sun and hydration: Northland summers are hot – bring sun protection and plenty of water.
• Rubbish: Take all your waste with you, including old lines and bait packaging, to keep fishing areas clean.

From the sheltered waters of Whangārei Harbour to the open beaches of Bream Bay and the offshore grounds off Tutukaka, the region offers something for every type of angler. Whether you’re after a relaxed day with the kids, chasing snapper off the sand, or looking to hook a game fish out wide, Whangārei has the spots and the species to keep you coming back. Pack your gear, check the tides, and head out – your next great catch could be waiting just around the corner.