Fishing & Diving

Whakatane is rated by top fishing correspondents as New Zealand's best all round fishing destination. During the summer months many different fish can be caught in the waters accessed from the port of Whakatane. These include Yellow fin, Skipjack, and Albacore tuna, along with sharks and Marlin, congregating to feed on huge shoals of baitfish from December to late April. Whakatane is the country's yellow-fin tuna "capital" but superb fighting marlin along with snapper and hapuka lurk around the many off shore reefs. Our charter boat fleet is ready and waiting to seek them out and assist with your fishing experience. Local operators have a sustainable fishing policy and will strive to make your fishing or diving trip, from Whakatane, a memorable experience.

You can also experience "Catch and Cook", a half day fishing trip with a difference.   You'll be taken to superb snapper fishing grounds to catch the "big ones",  to take back and be cooked at Wally's on the Wharf for the freshest Fish n' Chips you'll ever experience. "Catch and Cook" - delicious!  Book on The Gambler , His Nibs Charters  or Phantom now.

Or for land based ocean fishing, there are many accessible beaches up and down the coast, which are ideal for surfcasting.

There is also plenty of opportunity to fish for trout in Eastern Bay rivers and streams with a guide or on your own. Trout Fishing in the Eastern Bay of Plenty offers a wide variety of fly or spinning opportunities from the wild-water of Te Urewera National Park, to lake, boat and shore fishing at river mouths, rivers and streams.