Last updated October 2026
Castlecliff Beach is Whanganui’s main black-sand surf beach, about 6 km from the city centre, running north from the North Mole at the river mouth. Whanganui District Council lists it as a popular fishing spot as well as the town’s main swimming and surfing beach.
Surfcasters work the gutters for kahawai and gurnard, and the open beach gives plenty of room away from the patrolled flags. This guide covers the beach; the mole itself has its own guide.
At a Glance
- Location
- Castlecliff, about 6 km from central Whanganui
- Water
- Tasman Sea, north of the Whanganui River mouth
- Main species
- Kahawai and gurnard; school shark in winter
- Access
- Lower Rangiora Street car park; Castlecliff Domain on Seafront Road
- Toilets
- Rangiora Street (dawn to dusk); Duncan Pavilion (summer only)
- Lifeguards
- Patrolled in summer by the Wanganui Surf Life Saving Club
- Dogs
- Seasonal rules either side of the Rangiora Street car park; check council
- Tide port
- Whanganui River Entrance (LINZ)
- Rules
- MPI Central
- Licence
- None needed for sea fishing
- Low 4:36 am 0.7 m
- High 10:29 am 2.8 m
- Low 4:48 pm 0.7 m
- High 10:41 pm 2.8 m
Best times today: around 4:36 am, 10:29 am, 4:48 pm and 10:41 pm (2 hours either side of each tide change), and around 12:19 am and 11:56 am (moon overhead and underfoot).
Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes best. Full 7-day Whanganui tides ›
Predictions only; actual tides vary with weather.
About Castlecliff Beach
Castlecliff is the town’s primary bathing beach and home to the Wanganui Surf Life Saving Club, with the Whanganui Seaside Holiday Park, a playground and a skate park beside it. The beach runs for kilometres north from the North Mole, and its southern end collects large piles of driftwood.
From above, the black sand is wide and flat, backed by a strip of bushy dunes in the Castlecliff Beach Domain and the streets of Castlecliff behind. Seafront Road and Rangiora Street lead down to the beach.
The North Mole at the south end is the finish of the Mountains to Sea cycle trail and is being revitalised, with a new car park and toilets planned on the dunes.
How to Fish Castlecliff Beach
Where and when
Walk north from the Rangiora Street car park, away from the swimmers and surfers, and look for troughs and gutters close to the beach. Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes better than slack water. When the sea is rough, fish another day: the council warns that Whanganui’s beaches can be dangerous.
What to catch and what to use
- Kahawai: cast metal lures when baitfish are close in, or fish a cut bait.
- Gurnard: a bait fished on the bottom in the gutters.
- School shark: taken in winter on heavier gear and bigger baits.
- Near the mouth: large sea-run brown trout are caught near the river mouth each season, mostly by kahawai anglers. Within 500 m of the mouth you need a Fish & Game licence to fish for trout.
What to bring
A long surf rod, sinkers that hold in the surf, and bait. Ask at a local tackle shop what has been caught recently.
Getting There and Facilities
- Parking: the lower Rangiora Street car park is the main access, and Castlecliff Domain is on Seafront Road.
- Toilets: Rangiora Street by the Castlecliff playground, open dawn to dusk; the Duncan Pavilion in Castlecliff Domain opens dawn to dusk in summer and closes for winter.
- Dogs: dog rules change at the Rangiora Street car park and by season. Check Whanganui District Council’s current dog bylaw before you go.
- Vehicles: check council rules before driving on the sand, and keep off the dunes.
- More: for the mole at the river mouth, see our North Mole fishing guide; for swimming, our Castlecliff Beach guide.
Rules and Safety
- Sea fishing here follows MPI’s Central area rules. No licence is needed.
- Set net restrictions apply along this coast to protect dolphins. Check the NZ Fishing Rules app.
- In summer the beach is patrolled. Fish well away from the flagged swimming area.
- Near the mouth there are shifting sandbars and strong currents. Do not wade out, and get swell and wind forecasts from MetService.
- Horizons monitors water quality at Castlecliff as a swim spot; check before swimming after heavy rain.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Hunting & Fishing Whanganui, 64 Carlton Avenue, Whanganui.
Useful Links
Whanganui District Council: beaches: Castlecliff facilities, patrols and beach safety.
Horizons: Castlecliff Beach: water quality monitoring.
MPI Central fishing rules: size limits, daily limits and net rules.
Common Questions
Can you fish at Castlecliff Beach?
Yes. Whanganui District Council lists it as a popular fishing spot.
What can you catch at Castlecliff?
Kahawai and gurnard, and school shark in winter. Sea-run trout are caught near the river mouth.
Where do I park?
At the lower Rangiora Street car park, or Castlecliff Domain on Seafront Road.
Are there toilets?
Yes, at Rangiora Street (dawn to dusk) and the Duncan Pavilion in summer.
Do I need a licence?
Not for sea fish. Within 500 m of the river mouth you need a Fish & Game licence to fish for trout.
Can I bring my dog?
Dog rules change at the Rangiora Street car park and with the season. Check the council’s current bylaw.
Which tide port should I use?
Whanganui River Entrance, the LINZ port at the river mouth.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Tides today: Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ).