Last updated October 2026
Westshore Beach is on Napier’s northern shore, just north of the city centre, with the Westshore Beach Reserve on Ferguson Avenue at its heart. Hawke’s Bay Tourism lists fishing alongside swimming, surfing and boating here, and the beach is generally calm with few waves, though it is known for shore breaks.
Local anglers target kahawai, kingfish and trevally around Napier, and kingfish have been caught off this beach. Surf Life Saving New Zealand calls it Napier’s most popular beach, so pick your spot away from swimmers in summer.
At a Glance
- Location
- Westshore, Napier, along The Esplanade and Ferguson Avenue
- Type
- Long, mostly calm open beach with a shore break
- Water
- Hawke Bay (sea)
- Main species
- Kahawai, kingfish and trevally
- Surf club
- Westshore SLSC patrols in summer; fish well away from the flags
- Toilets
- On The Esplanade foreshore
- Dogs
- Seasonal rules; on lead north of the Esplanade toilets from October to February
- Tide port
- Napier (LINZ)
- Rules
- MPI Central; no licence needed
- Cost
- Free
- Low 12:03 am 0.4 m
- High 6:18 am 1.7 m
- Low 12:29 pm 0.4 m
- High 6:35 pm 1.6 m
Best times today: around 12:03 am, 6:18 am, 12:29 pm and 6:35 pm (2 hours either side of each tide change), and around 12:59 am and 12:35 pm (moon overhead and underfoot).
Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes best. Full 7-day Napier tides ›
Predictions only; actual tides vary with weather.
What to Expect
Westshore sits on land reshaped by the 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, which lifted the area by 2.7 metres and drained much of the old Ahuriri Lagoon. Behind the beach lie Te Whanganui-ā-Orotu, the Ahuriri Estuary, and the Westshore Wildlife Reserve; those are estuary waters with their own rules, separate from the open beach.
The Westshore Beach Reserve on Ferguson Avenue has a playground redeveloped in 2023, and the Hawke’s Bay Trails Water Ride passes along the shore. The Westshore Surf Life Saving Club, at 803 Ferguson Avenue, runs patrols each summer.
Swimmers, surfers, jet skis, sailors and power boats all use this beach, so fishing works best early and late in the day, and outside the busy summer weekends.
How to Fish Westshore Beach
Where and when
Cast from the beach well away from the patrol flags and the reserve, towards the quieter northern stretch when dog and bird rules allow. Mornings and evenings avoid most of the swimmers and boat traffic. Watch the shore break when you wade in to cast.
What to catch
- Kahawai: a usual target around Napier. Small mullet are common too and are often mistaken for kahawai.
- Kingfish: local anglers report decent kingfish caught off Westshore.
- Trevally: another usual Napier shore target.
- Rigs and bait: Gun City + Fishing on Pandora Road can advise on what is working.
Getting There and Facilities
- Driving: Westshore is just north of central Napier. The beach reserve is on Ferguson Avenue, and The Esplanade runs along the shore.
- Parking: beachfront reserve car parks along the shore.
- Toilets: public toilets on The Esplanade foreshore.
- Dogs: on lead on the beach and walkway from the Aquarium to the Esplanade toilet block. North of the toilet block, dogs may be off lead on the seaward side only from March to July; from October to February all dogs must be on a lead because of nesting birds.
- More to do: for swimming, the playground and the reserve, see our Westshore Beach guide.
Rules and Safety
- Sea fishing follows MPI’s Central area rules. No licence is needed, and MPI lists no closures near Napier.
- Within 500 metres of where a river or stream meets the sea at low tide, Fish & Game’s freshwater rules apply.
- Keep well away from swimmers and the surf club patrol flags, and watch for jet skis and boats.
- Birds nest north of the Esplanade toilets from October to February. Keep to the shore and give nesting areas a wide berth.
- After heavy rain, wastewater can overflow into the nearby Ahuriri Estuary. Avoid swimming and fishing for a few days after a big rain.
- The shore break can knock you off your feet. Do not wade out in a swell.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Gun City + Fishing Napier, 2 Pandora Road, Pandora: sea and surfcasting tackle.
- Hunting & Fishing Napier, 170 to 180 Taradale Road: tackle and bait.
Official Sources for Westshore Beach
Hawke’s Bay Tourism: Westshore Beach: the beach, the reserve and its uses.
MPI Central fishing rules: size limits and daily limits for Hawke Bay.
Napier City Council: dog rules: the seasonal dog rules for Westshore.
Common Questions
What can I catch at Westshore Beach?
Kahawai, kingfish and trevally are the usual Napier shore targets, and local anglers report kingfish from Westshore.
Where should I fish at Westshore?
Away from the surf club flags and the reserve, ideally early or late in the day when the beach is quieter.
Do I need a licence?
No. Sea fishing needs no licence, but MPI’s Central area limits apply.
Are there toilets at Westshore Beach?
Yes, on The Esplanade foreshore.
Can I take my dog fishing at Westshore?
Dogs must be on a lead on most of the beach. North of the Esplanade toilets they may be off lead only from March to July.
Is Westshore the same as the Ahuriri Estuary?
No. The estuary and Westshore Wildlife Reserve are behind the beach and have their own rules.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Tides today: Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ).