Last updated October 2026
Mount Maunganui sits between Tauranga Harbour and the open sea, so you can fish sheltered harbour water and ocean rocks within a few minutes’ walk. Mauao itself is closed, with a 30 metre no-entry zone around its base and shoreline, so the rocks at the foot of the mountain are off limits.
Three land-based spots remain open to anglers: Salisbury Wharf at the end of The Mall, the Pilot Bay beach away from Mauao, and Moturiki (Leisure Island) off Main Beach. Snapper, trevally, john dory, flounder and kingfish are all reported here.
Mount Maunganui at a Glance
- Location
- Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, at the harbour entrance
- Open spots
- Salisbury Wharf, Pilot Bay beach (away from Mauao), Moturiki
- Closed
- Mauao and its tracks, and a 30 m no-entry zone around its base and shoreline
- Water
- Tauranga Harbour entrance (wharf, Pilot Bay) and open coast (Moturiki)
- Main species
- Snapper, trevally and john dory at the wharf; flounder and trevally in Pilot Bay; snapper and kingfish at Moturiki
- Best time
- High tide; night at the wharf
- Parking
- Free but time-limited street parking; Salisbury Wharf car park reserved on cruise ship mornings
- Tide port
- Tauranga (harbour); Moturiki Island (open coast)
- Rules
- MPI Auckland and Kermadec; Mt Maunganui mātaitai reserve covers nearby waters
- Cost
- Free; no licence needed for sea fishing
- High 2:20 am 1.5 m
- Low 8:27 am 0.5 m
- High 3:02 pm 1.6 m
- Low 9:09 pm 0.6 m
Best times today: around 2:20 am, 8:27 am, 3:02 pm and 9:09 pm (2 hours either side of each tide change), and around 8:08 am and 8:31 pm (moon overhead and underfoot).
Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes best. Full 7-day Tauranga tides ›
Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ). Predictions only; actual tides vary with weather.
The Background
Mauao has been closed since the landslide of 22 January 2026, which hit the Beachside Holiday Park and killed six people. Geologists found 42 landslides across the three main tracks.
Tauranga City Council’s update of 16 October 2026 says the mountain remains closed, the base track is still being repaired, and no reopening date has been set. The Bay of Plenty Regional Harbourmaster’s 30 metre exclusion zone around the base and shore of Mauao applies to people and vessels alike.
Away from the mountain, the Mount is open as usual: The Mall, Maunganui Road and Marine Parade are open, and the Pilot Bay boat ramp has reopened, although it sits in an active landslide risk area and the ramp and car park can be closed at short notice.
Tangata whenua placed a rāhui over Pilot Bay and Main Beach after the landslide; it was lifted on 9 February 2026.
Much of the sea around Mauao is part of the Mt Maunganui and Part of Tauranga Harbour mātaitai reserve, where commercial fishing is banned and a lower daily limit applies to mussels. Moturiki is also part of a wāhi tapu area registered with Heritage New Zealand for Ngāi Te Rangi and their hapū, so treat the island with respect.
How to Fish Mount Maunganui
Salisbury Wharf
The wharf at the southern end of The Mall reaches deep water beside the harbour entrance and fishes all year. NZ Fishing World reports snapper, trevally and john dory, with night fishing particularly productive and high tide the best stage. The council also uses the wharf for short-term berthage, so give way to vessels tying up.
Pilot Bay
The sheltered harbour beach between Mauao and Salisbury Avenue gives flounder and trevally around high tide, with berley to bring fish in. Fish from the beach at the Salisbury Avenue end, well away from the exclusion zone at the foot of Mauao.
The old Stone Jetty sits at the foot of the mountain; do not treat it as open unless signs on site say so.
Moturiki (Leisure Island)
Moturiki sits on the open coast at the end of Main Beach, joined to the shore by a man-made land bridge. Anglers fish the seaward rocks around high tide for snapper and kingfish. Currents can be strong, and the council closes access when big swells combine with a high tide.
What to catch
- Snapper, trevally and john dory: Salisbury Wharf, best around high tide and at night.
- Flounder and trevally: Pilot Bay at high tide, with berley.
- Snapper and kingfish: the Moturiki rocks around high tide. Kingfish need strong gear.
- Rigs and bait: ask at Top Catch in Mount Maunganui for the rigs and baits working this week.
Getting There and Facilities
- Parking: parking in Mount Maunganui is free but time-limited (P5 to P180, 8am to 6pm daily except public holidays), including on Salisbury Avenue and The Mall.
- Cruise ship days: from 20 September to 31 May, the Salisbury Wharf car park is reserved for tour operators from 6am to 11am on ship days, and Salisbury Avenue and The Mall run one way for a few hours.
- Bus: BayBus Route 5 runs between Tauranga city, Mount Maunganui and Bayfair, stopping on Maunganui Road.
- Dogs: not allowed on Mauao, on Pilot Bay between Mauao and Salisbury Avenue, on Main Beach between Moturiki and Mauao, or on Moturiki. The fine is $300.
- Surf club: the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service clubhouse on Adams Avenue reopened in September 2026. Keep well clear of swimmers and the patrol flags on Main Beach.
Rules and Safety
- Mauao, all its tracks and a 30 metre zone around its base and shoreline are closed. Do not fish from the rocks at the foot of the mountain or enter the zone by boat or kayak. The zone can be changed at any time, so check Tauranga City Council’s Mauao updates before you go.
- If you hear the landslide alarm near the fencing at the base of Mauao, move away straight away.
- Sea fishing follows MPI’s Auckland and Kermadec rules. No licence is needed.
- Much of the water around Mauao, Main Beach and Moturiki, and the shipping channel, is inside the Mt Maunganui mātaitai reserve. Commercial fishing is banned and a reduced daily limit applies to mussels. Check MPI’s map for the boundaries.
- Salisbury Wharf and Pilot Bay border the main shipping channel. Keep your lines clear of passing vessels.
- At Moturiki, watch the swell and the tide, stay off wet rocks in big seas and never turn your back on the water.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Top Catch Bait & Tackle Mount Maunganui, 147 Totara Street: bait, tackle and local reports, open from early morning.
- Top Catch Bait & Tackle Tauranga, 40 Mirrielees Road: bait and tackle on the city side of the harbour.
Find Out More
Tauranga City Council: Mauao landslide updates: what is open and closed around Mauao.
MPI Auckland and Kermadec fishing rules: size limits, daily limits and the Mt Maunganui mātaitai.
NZ Fishing World: land-based spots near Tauranga: species and tide notes for the Mount’s spots.
Common Questions
Can I fish around Mauao?
No. Mauao is closed, and a 30 metre no-entry zone runs around its base and shoreline. Fish Salisbury Wharf, the Pilot Bay beach away from the mountain, or Moturiki instead.
What can I catch off Salisbury Wharf?
Snapper, trevally and john dory. High tide and night fishing are reported to be best.
Is Pilot Bay good for fishing?
Yes, for flounder and trevally around high tide, with berley. Stay at the Salisbury Avenue end, away from the foot of Mauao.
Is Moturiki open for fishing?
No closure was listed in October 2026, but the council closes access in big swells with a high tide. Anglers fish the seaward rocks for snapper and kingfish.
Do I need a licence to fish at Mount Maunganui?
No. Sea fishing needs no licence, but MPI’s Auckland and Kermadec limits and the mātaitai mussel limit apply.
Is the Pilot Bay boat ramp open?
Yes, as of 16 October 2026, but it is in a landslide risk area and can be closed at short notice.
Where can I park?
Street parking is free but time-limited. On cruise ship mornings the Salisbury Wharf car park is reserved for tour operators until 11am.
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