Spearfishing Gisborne and the East Cape
Gisborne is open-ocean spearfishing with no shelter. Swell-rich East Cape water, ridges on sand, and long runs between the few reef points that work.
Our data rates Gisborne prime, and the marks show why: Makorori Point north of Wainui, Wainui Reef at the Pines, Sponge Bay Island south of town, Tuaheni Point and Shark Bay under the headland, Turihaua Point and Tatapouri Point with its broad tidal platform. Ground is ridge and boulder on sand in 3-12 m with depth close to the rock at the points. Fish: snapper, kingfish, trevally, kahawai, tarakihi, John Dory, red moki, plus crayfish, paua and kina.
There is no sheltered fallback here. The coast faces about 120 degrees with a bad sector of roughly 40-200 degrees, and an easterly swell puts every point out at once - Tuaheni's rock entry only works on a flat day. Summer into autumn is the season; visibility at Kaiti Beach depends heavily on what the port and the rivers are doing.
Rules: no licence. Gisborne is east of Cape Runaway and therefore in the MPI Central area: 20 finfish combined per fisher per day, blue cod 20/day in FMA 2, paua 5/day region-wide. Crayfish may never be speared and telson clipping is required for spiny rock lobster from Cape Runaway to East Cape Lighthouse. Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve sits between Turihaua and Tatapouri - its boundaries are the thing to get right on this coast. Read https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/fishing-rules and https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/marine-reserves/. Safety, conditionally: open ocean with long boat runs and no shelter, swell that builds fast on a southerly change, a moderate shark rating in our data, and current running off Tuaheni Point.
Top spots
| Spot | Nearest city | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Kaiti Beach Rocks | Gisborne | Rocky shore under Titirangi hill by the port entrance, ridges on sand,… |
| Tatapōuri Point | Gisborne | Broad reef platform with tidal channels, the ridges running out onto… |
Cities in this region
FAQ
Where is the marine reserve at Gisborne?
Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve lies north of the city between Turihaua Point and Tatapouri Point - our cards note Tatapouri as near its northern edge and Turihaua as its southern boundary. Check the DOC map before you dive either.
What are the bag limits?
Gisborne is in the MPI Central area: 20 finfish combined per fisher per day, blue cod 20/day in FMA 2, paua 5/day. Telson clipping is required for spiny rock lobster from Cape Runaway to East Cape Lighthouse.
Is there a sheltered option?
Not really. The coast faces about 120 degrees with a bad sector of roughly 40-200 degrees, so an easterly swell closes every point at once. Kaiti Beach under Titirangi is the most protected, but its visibility follows the port and the rivers.
When is the best season?
Summer into autumn, on the settled windows. Swell builds fast on a southerly change and there is no lee to run to, so watch the forecast rather than the calendar.
See also: Bay of Plenty · Hawke's Bay