Waimārama Beach Fishing: Surfcasting near Bare Island

Last updated October 2026

Waimārama Beach is a long surf beach with a rocky point, about 30 km south-east of Hastings and 20 minutes from Havelock North, with Motu-o-Kura (Bare Island) about 2 km offshore. Locals fish off the beach, and the island is a popular boat fishing and diving spot.

Big snapper usually reach Hawke’s Bay beaches from October, and there are toilets and a surf club at the Waimārama Domain. A temporary blackfoot pāua closure covers this coast, and the rules for driving on the beach are being reviewed.

At a Glance

Location

Waimārama Domain, Moori Road, about 30 km south-east of Hastings

Water

Open sea, south of Cape Kidnappers

Main species

Snapper and kahawai; kingfish at times in spring

Best time

October to March for snapper

Facilities

Toilets, barbecues and playground near the surf club; general store in the village

Lifeguards

Weekends and public holidays, November to March, 10am to 5pm

Boat launching

Two ramps at Paparewa Reserve

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

What You'll Find Here

Waimārama is a small seaside village on an open beach break over sand, with a rocky point and Motu-o-Kura offshore. From above, the beach is wide and flat with a stream crossing the sand and dunes behind. The dunes are protected under a heritage reservation and are wāhi tapu, so stay on the marked accesses.

Motu-o-Kura (Bare Island) lies about 2 km out. Its seaward side is a resting place for little blue penguins and sooty shearwaters, and it is a popular fishing and diving spot, reached by boat.

Waimārama Marae and the Taupunga meeting house serve Ngāti Kahungunu hapū including Ngāti Hikatoa, Ngāti Kurukuru, Ngāti Urakiterangi and Ngāti Whakaiti. Ngāi Hapū o Waimārama asked for the current pāua closure so blackfoot pāua can recover.

How to Fish Waimārama Beach

Where and when

Walk the beach at low tide to find the holes and channels, then fish them as the tide comes in. Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes better than slack water. In the patrol season, fish well away from the flagged swimming area by the surf club. Ask at a Hastings tackle shop what has been caught recently.

What to catch and what to use

• Snapper: big snapper usually arrive on Hawke’s Bay beaches in October, with the main runs typically around December. Fish fresh bait on a long surf rod.
• Kahawai: often feeding in the surf; lures or cut bait.
• Kingfish: sometimes taken from Hawke’s Bay beaches from October to December, best on live bait.
• Boat fishing: Motu-o-Kura is a popular fishing and diving spot. Launch at the Paparewa Reserve ramps and check the sea forecast first.

What to bring

A surf rod, sinkers heavy enough to hold in the surf, and bait bought in Hastings or Havelock North: the nearest tackle shops are about 30 km away.

Getting There and Facilities

• Directions: in the village, turn left onto Airini Road and continue past the store, turn right onto Moori Road, then right into the Waimārama Domain for parking and beach access.
• Facilities: public toilets, barbecues and a playground near the surf club. The general store sells takeaways, and there is a campground nearby.
• Surf club: Waimārama Surf Life Saving Club, 9 Moori Road. Volunteers patrol on weekends and public holidays from November to March, 10am to 5pm, with paid guards on weekdays over the Christmas peak.
• Vehicles: a summer vehicle ban has applied near the township from Labour Weekend to 30 April, and Hastings District Council consulted on new permit rules in September and October 2026. Check the council’s Waimārama beach page and the signs before driving on the sand.
• More: for swimming and surfing, see our Waimārama Beach 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. 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.
• The beach has strong rip currents. Fish from the edge rather than wading out, and get swell and wind forecasts from MetService.
• Vehicles on the sand are a known risk here, especially to children. Watch for traffic on the beach and keep off the dunes.

Tackle and Bait Nearby

• Crafty’s Rods & Guns, 108 Maraekakaho Road, Hastings: sea tackle, kontiki and longline gear, sinkers and bait.
• Rivers to Ranges, 106 Nelson Street South, Hastings: rods, reels and terminal tackle.

Find Out More

Waimārama Beach: Common Questions

Where is Waimārama Beach?
About 30 km south-east of Hastings, 20 minutes from Havelock North. Park at the Waimārama Domain off Moori Road.

What can you catch at Waimārama?
Snapper and kahawai off the beach, with kingfish at times in spring. Bare Island offshore is a popular boat fishing spot.

Can I take pāua at Waimārama?
Not blackfoot pāua. The closure runs from Whakapau Point to Huarau until the close of 22 December 2026.

Can I drive on Waimārama Beach?
Rules are changing. A summer ban near the township has applied from Labour Weekend to 30 April, and the council is reviewing permits. Check the council page and signs first.

Is the beach patrolled?
Yes, on weekends and public holidays from November to March, 10am to 5pm, with paid guards on weekdays over the Christmas peak.

Where can I launch a boat?
At the two ramps at Paparewa Reserve.

Do I need a fishing licence?
No. You do not need a licence for sea fishing, but MPI’s Central area limits apply.

Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.

Sources and data notes 1

• Tides today: Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ), adjusted from Napier using LINZ secondary port offsets.