Last updated October 2026
Ocean Beach, also known as Waipuka, is a long, largely undeveloped white-sand beach at the end of Ocean Beach Road, south-east of Hastings, between Whakapau Bluff and Waimārama. In summer it is shared by surfers, swimmers, divers and longliners, and it is a classic open Hawke’s Bay surf beach for casting a bait from the sand.
Big snapper usually reach Hawke’s Bay beaches from October, with the best runs around December. There are toilets but no shops, and a temporary blackfoot pāua closure covers this coast (see Rules and Safety).
Ocean Beach at a Glance
- Location
- End of Ocean Beach Road, Hastings District, between Whakapau Bluff and Waimārama
- Water
- Hawke Bay coast, open sea
- Main species
- Snapper and gurnard; kahawai; kingfish at times in spring
- Best time
- October to March for snapper, with big runs usually around December
- Suits
- Surfcasting and kontiki or longline fishing
- Facilities
- Public toilets; no shops
- Lifeguards
- Surf lifesavers over the summer holidays
- Tide port
- Napier, with Te Motu-o-Kura (Bare Island) offsets
- Rules
- MPI Central; blackfoot pāua closed to 22 Dec 2026
- Licence
- None needed for sea fishing
- High about 4:17 am
- Low about 10:28 am
- High about 4:41 pm
- Low about 10:57 pm
Best times today: around 4:17 am, 10:28 am, 4:41 pm and 10:57 pm (2 hours either side of each tide change), and around 11:03 am and 11:26 pm (moon overhead and underfoot).
Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes best.
Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ), adjusted from Napier using LINZ secondary port offsets. Predictions only; actual tides vary with weather.
The Background
Ocean Beach runs for kilometres between Whakapau Bluff in the north and Waimārama in the south. The road in is mostly one car wide with passing bays, so drive slowly.
From above, the access path leaves the car park at the end of the road and drops onto a wide beach just north of where the Waipuka Stream crosses the sand, with surf breaking along its whole length.
Local people know the area as Waipuka, and the coast is the rohe of Ngāi Hapū o Waimārama. It is a popular summer spot for diving for kaimoana, and the hapū asked for the current pāua closure to let blackfoot pāua recover.
The beach is also popular for walking. Waimārama is 7.5 km south and Whakapau Bluff 8 km north, each about 4.5 hours return, and both walks need a tide check.
How to Fish Ocean Beach
Where and when
Walk the beach at low tide first and note the gutters, holes and sandbars, then come back and fish the deeper water as the tide rises.
Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes better than slack water, and dawn and dusk are good times on any surf beach. In summer, fish away from the swimmers and surfers near the access path.
What to catch and what to use
- Snapper: the big ones usually arrive on Hawke’s Bay beaches in October, with the main runs typically around December and sometimes into February or March. Fish fresh bait on a long surf rod.
- Gurnard: a common target on Hawke’s Bay sand, though numbers on the beaches vary a lot from year to year.
- Kahawai: often feeding just behind the surf; a lure or small bait will pick them up.
- Kingfish: sometimes caught from Hawke’s Bay beaches from October to December, best on live bait.
What to bring
A long surf rod, sinkers heavy enough to hold in the swell, fresh bait, and water and food: there are no shops at the beach. Kontiki and longline gear is sold at tackle shops in Hastings. Ask there what has been caught recently.
Getting There and Facilities
- Road: follow Ocean Beach Road to the end. It is narrow and mostly single-lane with passing spots.
- Toilets: public toilets near the beach. There are no shops, so bring what you need.
- Lifeguards: surf lifesavers are on duty over the summer holidays.
- Walks: south to Waimārama (7.5 km one way) or north to Whakapau Bluff (8 km). The bluff blocks the way further north; check the tides before you go.
- More: for swimming, surfing and the walks, see our Ocean Beach (Waipuka) guide.
Rules and Safety
- Sea fishing here follows MPI’s Central area rules. No licence is needed.
- The Waimārama temporary closure runs from Whakapau Point south to Huarau, out 2 nautical miles, and covers Ocean Beach. No blackfoot pāua may be taken until the close of 22 December 2026. Finfish fishing is not affected.
- Check MPI’s shellfish biotoxin alerts before gathering any shellfish.
- This is an exposed open-coast beach. Watch the surf, and get swell and wind forecasts from MetService before you go.
- The walks at both ends are tide-limited, and the route round Whakapau Bluff needs low tide. Do not get caught on a rising tide.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Crafty’s Rods & Guns, 108 Maraekakaho Road, Hastings: rods, reels, lures, kontiki and longline gear, sinkers and bait.
- Rivers to Ranges, 106 Nelson Street South, Hastings: rods, reels, rigs and terminal tackle.
Official Sources
MPI Central fishing rules: size limits, daily limits and closures for the area.
MPI: Waimārama blackfoot pāua closure: the boundary and dates of the closure.
Hawke’s Bay Tourism: Ocean Beach: access, facilities and the coastal walks.
Common Questions
Where is Ocean Beach?
At the end of Ocean Beach Road, south-east of Hastings, between Whakapau Bluff and Waimārama.
What can you catch at Ocean Beach?
Snapper and gurnard are the usual surfcasting targets, along with kahawai, and kingfish turn up at times in spring.
When is the best time for snapper?
Big snapper usually reach Hawke’s Bay beaches in October, and the main runs are typically around December.
Do I need a fishing licence?
No. You do not need a licence for sea fishing, but MPI’s Central area limits apply.
Can I take pāua at Ocean Beach?
Not blackfoot pāua. The Waimārama closure covers the beach until the close of 22 December 2026.
Are there facilities at the beach?
There are public toilets but no shops, and surf lifesavers are on duty over the summer holidays.
Which tide port should I use?
Napier, with the Te Motu-o-Kura (Bare Island) offsets. The tide box on this page shows them.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.