Last updated October 2026
Pilot Bay, Waikorire, is the sheltered harbour beach on the inside of the Mount Maunganui isthmus, running from the foot of Mauao to Salisbury Avenue. NZ Fishing World reports flounder and trevally here, best at high tide with berley.
The Mauao end is restricted: a 30 metre no-entry zone runs around the base and shore of the mountain, and the boat ramp sits in an active landslide risk area. Fish the beach towards the Salisbury Avenue end, well away from Mauao.
At a Glance
- Location
- Harbour side of Mount Maunganui, between Mauao and Salisbury Avenue
- Type
- Sheltered sandy harbour beach beside the main shipping channel
- Water
- Tauranga Harbour (sea)
- Main species
- Flounder and trevally
- Best time
- High tide, with berley
- Restrictions
- 30 m no-entry zone around the base and shore of Mauao; ramp in a landslide risk area
- Parking
- Free, time-limited street parking on The Mall and nearby streets
- Tide port
- Tauranga (LINZ standard port)
- Rules
- MPI Auckland and Kermadec; no licence needed
- Cost
- Free
- Low 1:35 am 0.3 m
- High 7:58 am 1.8 m
- Low 1:57 pm 0.4 m
- High 8:07 pm 1.8 m
Best times today: around 1:35 am, 7:58 am, 1:57 pm and 8:07 pm (2 hours either side of each tide change), and around 1:02 am and 12:38 pm (moon overhead and underfoot).
Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes best. Full 7-day Tauranga tides ›
Predictions only; actual tides vary with weather.
About Pilot Bay
Pilot Bay faces into Tauranga Harbour, so it stays calm when the ocean side of the Mount is rough. The main harbour shipping channel runs just off the bay.
At the Mauao end are the boat ramp and the old Stone Jetty, built by volunteers in 1889 so that picnickers stepping off boats would not soak their long dresses, and rebuilt in 1989.
Since the landslide of 22 January 2026, Mauao has been closed and the Regional Harbourmaster has kept a 30 metre exclusion zone around its base and shoreline, for people and vessels. Tangata whenua placed a rāhui over the bay from Leinster Avenue to Mauao after the landslide; it was lifted on 9 February 2026.
Tauranga City Council’s update of 16 October 2026 says the Pilot Bay boat ramp is open but sits in an active landslide risk area, and the ramp and car park may be closed at short notice.
Pilot Bay is a popular swimming beach too, and boats launch and beach here. From the gazetted boundaries, the bay itself appears to lie just outside the Mt Maunganui mātaitai reserve, which takes in the shipping channel off the beach.
How to Fish Pilot Bay
Where and when
Fish from the beach at the Salisbury Avenue end and along the middle of the bay, keeping well clear of the Mauao end, the ramp and the exclusion zone.
High tide is the time to be here, according to NZ Fishing World. Berley helps bring trevally in close. Expect swimmers on warm days and boats coming and going near the ramp.
What to catch
- Flounder: on the sandy bottom around high tide.
- Trevally: brought in with berley at high tide.
- Rigs and bait: ask at Top Catch in Mount Maunganui for what is working.
For Salisbury Wharf, Moturiki and what is open around the Mount, see our Mount Maunganui fishing spots guide.
Getting There and Facilities
- Driving: reach the bay along The Mall, which is open. Adams Avenue at the Mauao end has temporary fencing and closures.
- Parking: free but time-limited (P5 to P180, 8am to 6pm daily except public holidays). On cruise ship mornings between September and May, Salisbury Avenue and The Mall can run one way and the Salisbury Wharf car park is reserved until 11am.
- Bus: BayBus Route 5 stops on Maunganui Road near Mount Drury Reserve.
- Dogs: not allowed on Pilot Bay from Mauao to Salisbury Avenue, including the grass and boardwalk. The fine is $300.
- More to do: for swimming and the beach itself, see our Pilot Bay Beach guide.
Rules and Safety
- Do not enter the 30 metre no-entry zone around the base and shoreline of Mauao, on foot or by boat. It can be changed at any time, so check Tauranga City Council’s Mauao updates before you go.
- If the landslide alarm sounds, move away from the fencing straight away.
- Do not treat the Stone Jetty at the foot of Mauao as open unless signs on site say so.
- Sea fishing follows MPI’s Auckland and Kermadec rules. No licence is needed.
- The shipping channel off the bay is inside the Mt Maunganui mātaitai reserve, where a reduced daily limit applies to mussels.
- Keep your lines clear of swimmers and of boats using the ramp.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Top Catch Bait & Tackle Mount Maunganui, 147 Totara Street: bait, tackle and local reports.
- Top Catch Bait & Tackle Tauranga, 40 Mirrielees Road: bait and tackle on the city side.
Find Out More
Tauranga City Council: Mauao landslide updates: the exclusion zone, ramp status and closures.
MPI Auckland and Kermadec fishing rules: size limits, daily limits and the mātaitai rules.
NZ Fishing World: land-based spots near Tauranga: notes on Pilot Bay and nearby spots.
Common Questions
What can I catch at Pilot Bay?
Flounder and trevally, best around high tide with berley.
Can I fish near Mauao at Pilot Bay?
No. A 30 metre no-entry zone runs around the base and shoreline of Mauao. Fish towards the Salisbury Avenue end.
Is the Pilot Bay boat ramp open?
Yes, as of 16 October 2026, but it is in an active landslide risk area and can be closed at short notice.
Do I need a licence?
No. Sea fishing needs no licence, but MPI’s Auckland and Kermadec limits apply.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs are banned on Pilot Bay from Mauao to Salisbury Avenue, including the grass and boardwalk.
What tide should I fish at Pilot Bay?
High tide, according to NZ Fishing World. Berley helps bring trevally in.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Tides today: Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ).