Today's Best Fishing & Tide Times for
Whakatane, New Zealand ðŸ‡³ðŸ‡¿

Solunar
Tides
Weather
7-Day
Spots

How to use the Kiwi fishing calendar

Planning your next fishing trip in Whakatane, New Zealand ? Today is a average day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular bite times and moon phases, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, nearby tide timetable, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...

  • Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise bite times and moon phases and the best moon phases.
  • Use the Tide Clock section to sync bite times with high and low tide timetable.
  • Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
  • Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.

Whakatane, on the eastern Bay of Plenty coast, is a top New Zealand fishing destination offering productive inshore, estuary and offshore grounds. From snapper and kingfish to tuna and trout, Whakatane’s mix of reefs, channels and river mouths provides year‑round angling opportunity for boat, shore and estuary anglers. read more...

Some of the best fishing spots near Whakatane include: Ohope Beach, Whakatane Harbour, Whakatane River, Ohiwa Harbour, Kohi Point, Moutohora Island, Rurima Islands, Thornton Beach, Rangitaiki River, Otarawairere Bay, etc. see full list

Tide Station:

Sun and Moon Times

The sun will be at it's highest point at . Today we have 9:40 hours of daylight. For shallow water fishing the twilight periods are often the most productive fishing times, especially on days when a major or minor time will coincide with twilight. In low light conditions predators have better cover for their ambush and often hunt in shallow water.
  • Nautical Twilight begins:
    Sunrise:
  • Sunset:
    Nautical Twilight ends:
  • Moonrise:
  • Moonset:
  • Moon over:
  • Moon under:
  • Visibility:
    73%
  • Waning Gibbous - 73% illuminated Waning Gibbous
Next New Moon in ~9 days on 15th June
  • Distance to earth:
    394,822 km
    Proximity:
    25.5 %
We can compare the current moon distance to it's minimum and maximum distance from earth and express that as proximity. A high proximity means the moon is closer to earth. At 50% it would be at it's mean distance. A high proximity causes big tides, currents and has a direct effect on increased bite times. A proximity greater than 90% indicates a super moon.
Moon Phases for Whakatane
Full Moon
Sun, 31 May
New Moon
Mon, 15 Jun
Full Moon
Tue, 30 Jun

Solunar Bite Times

Settings
Display Settings:
  • average Day
12 1 2 3 4 5 AM 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
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Best fishing times:
  • major Time:
    03:15 am - 05:15 am
  • minor Time:
    10:29 am - 12:29 pm
  • major Time:
    03:47 pm - 05:47 pm
  • minor Time:
    09:06 pm - 11:06 pm
All times are displayed in the Pacific/Auckland timezone and are automatically adjusted to daylight savings. The current timezone offset is +12 hours. Green and yellow areas indicate the best fishing times (major and minor). Blue areas indicate high and low tides. The center shows the current moon phase which is a Waning Gibbous at 73% lumination. According to the Solunar Theory, today is a average day for fishing, but you need to cross check this with the current weather forecast for a final decision. Today some bite times coincide with sunrise or sunset. Those will be particularly good times for fishing and are indicated by sun icons. The next best fishing time ( ) starts in -2 hour and -50 minute. The gray time indicator displays the current local time.
Pacific/Auckland • Sat, 6 Jun 13:56 • -37.959, 176.985

Tides Times for Fishing: Sat, 6 Jun

The Tideclock displays the tide status and the hours until the next tide. Currently the tide is falling and the next low tide is in 3 hours and 12 minutes.
Tide Graph
05:04 am 11:28 am 05:08 pm AM PM 5.58 ft 1.28 ft height hour: 12 2 4 6 8 10 12 2 4 6 8 10 12
Times
Tide Time Height
low 05:04 am 1.54 ft
high 11:28 am 5.58 ft
low 05:08 pm 1.28 ft
Tide Coefficient at 11:28 am is 75
For fishing, stronger tides are often favourable as they cause stronger currents and more motion on the sea bed. The above tidal coefficients give us an indication of how strong the tides are compared to their average. A value over 90 indicates very strong tides, known as spring tides. A low value indicates weak tides, known as neap tides. The tidal coefficient can range from 20 to 120 with a mean value of 70. A higher number usually indicates better fishing.
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Current Fishing Weather

Updating Weather Infos...

7 Day Fishing Weather

The weather plays an important role in fishing. Wind strenght and direction often determine where you can fish and where fish might be holding. Although high pressure is usually good for fishing, steep pressure changes often trigger feeding frenzies and are great times for fishing. Of course temperature has also a strong effect on fishing and comfort on the water. So make sure to cross check the weather forecast with the solunar fishing times to determine the best times to go fishing. The graph below shows you the 3 hourly weather progression over the next 7 days. Scroll the graph left or right to see more.
Selected Weather Station: Whakatane, NZ
Temperature
Wave Height
Swell Height
Wind
Pressure
Humidity
Cloudcover
Rain Precipitation
UV Index
Retrieving Weather...

7 Day Fishing Forecast Calendar
Date Major Bite Times Minor Bite Times Sun Moon Moonphase Tide Times
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Gibbous moon phase
Waning Gibbous
low: , 1.51 ft
high: , 5.64 ft , Coeff: 76
low: , 1.28 ft
high: , 5.91 ft , Coeff: 84
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Gibbous moon phase
Waning Gibbous
low: , 1.54 ft
high: , 5.58 ft , Coeff: 75
low: , 1.28 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
high: , 5.87 ft , Coeff: 83
low: , 1.54 ft
high: , 5.51 ft , Coeff: 73
low: , 1.31 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
high: , 5.87 ft , Coeff: 83
low: , 1.48 ft
high: , 5.45 ft , Coeff: 71
low: , 1.41 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
high: , 5.91 ft , Coeff: 84
low: , 1.41 ft
high: , 5.45 ft , Coeff: 71
low: , 1.57 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
high: , 5.97 ft , Coeff: 85
low: , 1.28 ft
high: , 5.54 ft , Coeff: 74
low: , 1.71 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
high: , 6.04 ft , Coeff: 87
low: , 1.21 ft
high: , 5.74 ft , Coeff: 79
low: , 1.74 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
high: , 6.1 ft , Coeff: 89
low: , 1.18 ft
high: , 6 ft , Coeff: 86
low: , 1.67 ft
*bold times indicate best fishing times around sunrise or sunset

Fishing Overview Whakatane

Seasonal patterns: Whakatane fishing follows clear seasonal rhythms. Summer (December–February) brings warm water pelagics — tuna, marlin and big kahawai — and prolific surface activity; inshore snapper and kingfish move onto shallow reefs and channels. Spring is a transitional feeding time with snapper becoming more active around reef edges and estuary mouths; it’s also when trout fishing can heat up in the rivers. Autumn holds steady for bottom species like tarakihi, gurnard and john dory as fish build condition, and winter often produces cleaner water for targeting deep snapper, hapuku and flounder from anchored boats or shore gutters.

Habitat types: The Whakatane coastline includes mixed reef, sand flats, river mouths and deeper offshore grounds. Nearshore reef systems and reef gutters around Whakatane Island and out to the inner Bay of Plenty are prime snapper and john dory habitat. Estuaries, river mouths and sandflats favour mullet, flounder, small kahawai and surfcasting targets, while rocky points and headlands hold kahawai and trevally. Offshore, contour breaks, pinnacles and gutters out to the continental shelf produce kingfish, tuna and marlin. Rivers and tributaries behind Whakatane support brown and rainbow trout, especially in cooler months or early morning low light.

Common techniques: For inshore snapper and tarakihi, slow drift or anchor with pilchards, squid strips or soft plastics on a snapper rig works well; use a light leader and weight to feel structure. Jigging (metals and soft vibes) is effective over reefs for kingfish, trevally and hapuku — fast lifts for kingfish and slower, bottom-bouncing retrieves for hapuku. Livebaits (yellowtail or kahawai) fished on float rigs or slow-trolled behind the boat attract kingfish and pelagics. For pelagic tuna and marlin, trolled lures, skirts and livebait spreads behind planers are the go-to methods in summer. Surfcasters and estuary anglers find success on sandflats and at river mouths with whole pilchard, beach worms or cutbait for gurnard, kahawai and flounder. Freshwater anglers use light to medium rods with nymphs, wet flies or small streamers on local rivers and backwaters for trout.

Tactical tips:

  • Fish tide changes near river mouths and headlands — moving water concentrates bait and predators.
  • On mixed reef, mark structure and fish adjacent sand gutters where snapper stack up.
  • Vary jig speed: quick aggressive retrieves for kingfish, subtle lifts for hapuku and deep snapper.
  • Use fresh, oily baits for bottom species; keep baits firm on the hook so they stay in place on the drift.
  • In summer, watch birds and surface busts for tuna and marlin — set up a trolling spread quickly.
  • For estuary trout, fish low-light periods and focus on deeper runs and undercut banks.

Whakatane offers a diverse range of angling opportunities — match your tactic to the habitat and season, keep gear versatile, and focus on reading tides, structure and bait schools to consistently put fish in the boat or on the bank.

The Best Fishing Spots around Whakatane

Ohope Beach

A long, user-friendly surf beach just over the hill from Whakatane, Ohope Beach is a go-to for surfcasting and soft-baiting with consistent action for kahawai, snapper, and summer kingfish along the gutters; dawn and dusk through late spring to autumn are prime, with calmer winter days still producing trevally and gurnard; easy access and multiple entry points make it a reliable alternative to Whakatane Harbour on rough bar days.

Whakatane Harbour

Sheltered inside the river mouth, Whakatane Harbour offers convenient launching and shore access for year-round fishing; expect prolific kahawai runs on the tide, plus trevally and pannies of snapper in warmer months, while boats working current lines pick up kingfish and gurnard; it’s a hub for heading offshore to Moutohora Island when conditions allow.

Whakatane River

From the lower estuary to the town reaches, the Whakatane River produces kahawai on incoming tides, with summer trevally and occasional snapper closer to the mouth; upriver holds seasonal trout opportunities in cooler months, and light spin or fly tactics around structure and seams are effective; it’s a versatile option when surf or offshore conditions are marginal at Ohope Beach or Whakatane Harbour.

Ohiwa Harbour

A scenic tidal harbour east of Whakatane, Ohiwa Harbour fishes well on the channels and flats for snapper and trevally in the warmer months, with prolific kahawai around the entrances and current edges; small boats and kayaks drift soft-baits along banks, while shore anglers work the drop-offs at low-light; it’s a calmer alternative to the open coast near Ohope Beach.

Kohi Point

The rocky headland between Whakatane and Ohope, Kohi Point is a classic land-based ledge for kingfish (summer livebaits and stickbaits), snapper in the wash at dawn/dusk, and roaming kahawai; fish the deeper edges and kelpy pockets, and use berley when swell allows; it’s a productive alternative to the sand at Ohope Beach and the current lines of Whakatane Harbour.

Moutohora Island

Also known as Whale Island, this offshore reef system is a flagship Whakatane boat-fishing destination with summer kingfish, snapper, and trevally around the pins and edges, plus tarakihi on the deeper contours; slow jigs, livebaits, and soft-baits are all effective, and it’s a logical step-up from inshore sessions at Whakatane Harbour or Ohope Beach when the weather plays ball.

Rurima Islands

This small island group off the Whakatane coast holds bait-rich reef country that fires for kingfish, snapper, and kahawai through spring to autumn, with tarakihi on adjacent rubble; work current edges and structure with topwater and slow-pitch jigs, using the area as a bluewater gateway beyond Moutohora Island when conditions and experience allow.

Thornton Beach

West of Whakatane near the Rangitaiki mouth, Thornton Beach is a well-known surfcasting stretch for school snapper, late-summer kingfish, and near-year-round kahawai; fish the evening change of light on forming gutters, and look to the river influence for baitfish activity; it’s a productive alternative to Ohope Beach when swell direction suits.

Rangitaiki River

One of the Bay of Plenty’s key rivers, the Rangitaiki offers estuary-edge kahawai and summer snapper action near the mouth by Thornton, while upstream reaches are known for trout in cooler months; spinning and soft-baiting around tides produce well, and small boats or kayaks can explore channels as a quieter option to Whakatane River or Ohiwa Harbour.

Otarawairere Bay

A sheltered pocket between Kohi Point and Ohope, Otarawairere Bay fishes best in calm conditions for snapper in close over foul and sand edges, with roaming kahawai and summer trevally; light soft-baits and straylines shine around dawn; it’s a scenic, lower-swell alternative to the more open Ohope Beach and the ledges at Kohi Point.

Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Whakatane area

Beaches and Bays are ideal places for land-based fishing. If the beach is shallow and the water is clear then twilight times are usually the best times, especially when they coincide with a major or minor fishing time. Often the points on either side of a beach are the best spots. Or if the beach is large then look for irregularities in the breaking waves, indicating sandbanks and holes. We found 3 beaches and bays in this area.

Otarawairere Bay - 3.26388994524km , Ohope Beach - 4.30300054209km , Sulphur Bay - 12.44544398869km

Harbours and Marinas can often times be productive fishing spots for land based fishing as their sheltered environment attracts a wide variety of bait fish. Similar to river mouths, harbour entrances are also great places to fish as lots of fish will move in and out with the rising and falling tides. There are 2 main harbours in this area.

Ohiwa Harbour - 9.77642180871km, Ohiwa Harbour - 11.06580807962km

We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Whakatane. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.

Waiewe Stream - 0.42079470234km , Orini River - 0.96712975675km , Wainuitewhara Stream - 1.68423822992km , Owhakataro Stream - 1.88040086065km , Whakatane River - 2.49534812753km , Kohi Point - 2.90331432124km , Otarawairere Bay - 3.26388994524km , Waioho Stream - 3.96985659307km , Ohope Beach - 4.30300054209km , Ohineteraraku Stream - 4.59151462787km , Awaraputuna Stream - 5.13094981977km , Maraetotara Stream - 5.28518479929km , Whitiwhiti Point - 7.34932114442km , Otarere Stream - 7.38497820614km , Whakatane River - 7.74785785106km , Ohakana Island - 9.02953858213km , Ohiwa Harbour - 9.77642180871km , Te Kauri Point - 10.20353779463km , Ouaki Creek - 10.72893287723km , Motuore Point - 11.00259408401km , Ohiwa Harbour - 11.06580807962km , Owhakatoro Stream - 11.14469817665km , Moutohora Island - 11.57441060477km , Tarepe Stream - 11.74170001683km , Motuhora - 12.04991351855km , Toritori Point - 12.2694249615km , Raetoka Point - 12.2694249615km , Waimana River - 12.36676857153km , Sulphur Bay - 12.44544398869km , Uretara Island - 12.63243046473km , Nukuhou River - 13.04354942997km , Waimeha Stream - 13.45445179373km , Motuotu Island - 13.86152903586km , Pukeruru Point - 13.86152903586km , Lake Otumahi - 14.04585558742km , Hokianga Island - 14.33852899169km , Whangakopikopiko Island - 14.99632003729km , Rangitaiki River - 15.01684962106km , Te Awawairoa Stream - 15.48833499962km , Kotare Stream - 15.57129118183km

Harbours and Marinas Beaches Bays Wharfs Points,Reefs,etc
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