Last updated October 2026
Waiinu Beach is a small seaside settlement near the mouth of the Waitōtara River, about 8 km from Waitōtara township and roughly 35 km north-west of Whanganui, in the South Taranaki District. It is a quiet spot with a council campground right on the beachfront.
Anglers fish the surf and the river mouth for kahawai, with gurnard in winter, and trout run in the river. The mouth counts as freshwater for trout, so you need a Fish & Game licence to fish for them there.
At a Glance
- Location
- End of Waiinu Beach Road, about 35 km north-west of Whanganui
- Type
- West coast surf beach and river mouth
- Water
- Tasman Sea and the Waitōtara River mouth
- Main species
- Kahawai; gurnard in winter; brown trout in the river
- Camping
- South Taranaki DC campground on the beachfront, Nukumaru Parade
- Facilities
- Toilets, playground and barbecue at the campground
- Lifeguards
- None
- Tide port
- Whanganui River Entrance (LINZ), about 22 km away
- Rules
- MPI Central for sea fish; Fish & Game Taranaki for trout
- Licence
- None for sea fish; Fish & Game licence for trout
- 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.
What Makes It Worth the Trip
Waiinu Beach sits on the coast just south of where the Waitōtara River reaches the sea, in the rohe of Ngāa Rauru Kiitahi. For years the only road in crossed the Waitōtara bridge, which flooding closed four times in 26 years; a new road opened in 2024.
The South Taranaki District Council runs a simple campground on the beachfront on Nukumaru Parade, with unpowered sites, toilets, a playground and a barbecue. There are no bookings, the maximum stay is 50 days, and dogs must be on a lead.
There is little else here, which is the appeal: a long, quiet stretch of west coast with a river mouth to fish.
How to Fish Waiinu Beach
Where and when
Fish the surf gutters along the beach, or the edges of the Waitōtara mouth where the river meets the sea. Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes better than slack water. River mouths on this coast shift after floods, so look at the mouth before you set up.
What to catch and what to use
- Kahawai: in the surf and around the mouth, on lures or cut bait.
- Gurnard: a bait fished on the bottom, mostly in winter.
- Trout: brown trout in the Waitōtara, fished upstream once flows settle. A licence is needed at the mouth and in the river.
What to bring
Everything you need, including bait and food: the nearest tackle shops are in Whanganui. Ask there what has been caught recently on this coast.
Getting There and Facilities
- Driving: from Whanganui head north-west on SH3 to Waitōtara, then follow Waiinu Beach Road about 8 km to the coast.
- Campground: the council campground on Nukumaru Parade has toilets, a playground and a barbecue; no bookings, and dogs on leads.
- Facilities: there are no shops at the beach. Stock up in Whanganui.
- Lifeguards: the beach is not patrolled.
Rules and Safety
- Sea fish follow MPI’s Central area rules. No licence is needed.
- Under Fish & Game Taranaki rules the river mouth out to 500 m counts as freshwater. The Waitōtara is not named in the regulations, so the standard 1 October to 30 April season applies, with fly, spinner and bait, and you need a licence.
- The Waitōtara floods badly after heavy rain. Stay away from the mouth when the river is high or carrying logs.
- This is an exposed, unpatrolled west coast beach. Get swell and wind forecasts from MetService and do not wade out.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Hunting & Fishing Whanganui, 64 Carlton Avenue, Whanganui.
Official Sources
South Taranaki DC: Waiinu Beach Campground: the campground, facilities and rules.
Taranaki sports fishing regulations: trout rules for the Waitōtara and its mouth.
MPI Central fishing rules: size limits and daily limits for sea fish.
Waiinu Beach: Common Questions
Where is Waiinu Beach?
At the end of Waiinu Beach Road, near the Waitōtara River mouth, about 35 km north-west of Whanganui.
What can you catch at Waiinu?
Kahawai in the surf and at the mouth, gurnard in winter, and brown trout in the river.
Do I need a licence?
Not for sea fish. For trout, at the mouth or in the river, you need a Fish & Game licence.
When can I fish for trout in the Waitōtara?
From 1 October to 30 April, the standard Taranaki season, with fly, spinner and bait.
Can I camp at Waiinu Beach?
Yes. The council campground on Nukumaru Parade is on the beachfront, with no bookings and a 50-day maximum stay.
Are there shops?
No. Bring bait, food and water from Whanganui.
Which tide port should I use?
Whanganui River Entrance, about 22 km down the coast.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Tides today: Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ).