Bowentown Heads Fishing: Tauranga Harbour’s Northern Entrance

Last updated November 2026

Bowentown Heads guard the northern entrance to Tauranga Harbour, at the end of the long sandspit that runs south from Waihī Beach. The Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Bowentown Domain covers the headland, with tracks from Anzac Bay to rocky points and small beaches that the council describes as a popular fishing area.

NZ Fishing World reports snapper, trevally and kahawai, best on the outgoing tide. The entrance channel has strong tidal currents and anglers on the rocks can be cut off by the tide, so plan around it.

At a Glance

Location

End of Seaforth Road, Waihī Beach, at the northern entrance to Tauranga Harbour

Type

Headland rocks, Cave Bay beach and the sheltered Anzac Bay

Water

Tauranga Harbour entrance (sea)

Main species

Snapper, trevally and kahawai

Best time

Outgoing tide

Parking

Two car parks: Anzac Bay (lower) and the headland (top)

Toilets

At the lower car park, Anzac Bay

Hazards

Strong tidal currents; rising tide can cut off the rocks; slippery tracks when wet

Tide port

Tauranga, with LINZ Waihi Beach secondary port offsets

Rules

MPI Auckland and Kermadec; no licence needed

What Makes It Worth the Trip

Seaforth Road runs along an 8 km sandspit from Waihī Beach to the Heads, where the land divides the Pacific Ocean from sheltered Anzac Bay.

The domain’s tracks lead from the northern end of Anzac Bay to a junction: straight on to Shelly Bay, right to the summit, and left to the popular fishing area. From the headland car park, a steep path drops to Cave Bay, a small beach right at the harbour entrance.

The headland is rich in history. Te Ho Pā sits along the summit tracks, and Te Kura a Maia pā is on the southern headland, a short walk from the car park. Local kaitiaki know the area as Otawhiwhi. In summer the pōhutukawa flower and the summit gives views over the upper harbour, the Kaimai Range and the ocean.

Anzac Bay is calm and popular with families, and Shelly Bay is a sheltered swimming spot, so expect swimmers in summer. The Waihī Beach coast guide lists Bowentown Heads, the Bowentown bar, Shelly Bay and the Matakana Bank among local surfcasting spots, and Anzac Bay’s rocky points for rock fishing.

How to Fish Bowentown Heads

Where to fish

Follow the track from Anzac Bay and take the left branch to the fishing area on the entrance rocks, or walk down from the headland car park to Cave Bay, which looks straight out over the entrance. Anglers also fish from the rocky points near Anzac Bay and surfcast from the sand at the Heads and Shelly Bay.

When to go

NZ Fishing World recommends the outgoing tide. The entrance channel runs hard, so choose a spot where you can stand well above the water and get off the rocks before the rising tide cuts you off.

What to catch

• Snapper: from the entrance rocks and beaches.
• Trevally and kahawai: working the tide through the entrance.
• Rigs and bait: buy bait in Tauranga or Mount Maunganui before you leave, as there is no tackle shop at Waihī Beach.

Getting There and Facilities

• Driving: follow Seaforth Road south from Waihī Beach to its end at Bowentown Domain.
• Parking: there are two car parks, both with picnic tables: the lower one at Anzac Bay and the top one on the headland. The lower car park suits large vehicles.
• Toilets: at the lower car park by Anzac Bay, which also has a boat ramp.
• Tracks: the Shelly Bay loop takes about 30 minutes and the headland loop via Shelly Bay about 75 minutes. The path to Cave Bay is steep.
• Supplies: bring bait, food and water with you.

Rules and Safety

• Sea fishing follows MPI’s Auckland and Kermadec rules. No licence is needed. MPI lists no mātaitai, taiāpure, marine reserve or closure at Bowentown.
• The entrance channel has strong tidal currents. Do not wade or swim far from shore, even when it looks calm.
• Anglers on the rocks can be cut off by the rising tide. Know the tide times and leave early.
• Bare rock on the tracks is very slippery when wet, especially in the first few minutes of the track from Anzac Bay.
• The Bowentown bar is shallow and shifting, and a small swell can build big waves over it. Check the regional council’s bar cameras and wave buoy before you go.
• Respect the pā sites on the headland and stay on the tracks.

Tackle and Bait Nearby

• Top Catch Bait & Tackle Tauranga, 40 Mirrielees Road: bait and tackle on the way from Tauranga.
• Top Catch Bait & Tackle Mount Maunganui, 147 Totara Street: bait, tackle and local reports.

Official Sources for Bowentown Heads

Common Questions

Where do people fish at Bowentown Heads?
On the entrance rocks reached by the track from Anzac Bay, at Cave Bay below the headland car park, and from the rocky points near Anzac Bay.

What can I catch at Bowentown Heads?
Snapper, trevally and kahawai.

What tide is best at Bowentown?
The outgoing tide, according to NZ Fishing World. Watch the rising tide on the rocks.

Is Bowentown Heads dangerous?
The entrance has strong tidal currents, the rocks can be cut off by the tide, and the tracks are slippery when wet. Take care and do not wade far out.

Are there toilets at Bowentown?
Yes, at the lower car park by Anzac Bay, along with a boat ramp and picnic tables.

Do I need a licence?
No. Sea fishing needs no licence, but MPI’s Auckland and Kermadec limits apply.

Is there a tackle shop at Waihī Beach?
None was found. Buy bait in Tauranga or Mount Maunganui on the way.

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 Tauranga using LINZ secondary port offsets.