The best fishing charters in Whangarei leave from Marsden Cove Marina, Parua Bay and Tutukaka Marina, reaching Bream Bay, the Hen and Chicken Islands and the Mokohinaus within an hour of casting off. Booking a fishing charter in Whangarei can mean a four hour evening run after snapper, a full day chasing kingfish and marlin, lure-only guiding on light gear, or a multi-day stay-aboard trip. Bream Bay Charters and Fish Tutukaka are among the operators covered below.
1Bream Bay Charters
Bream Bay Charters is run by skipper Steve Martinovich, known as Sumo Steve, who is fishing his 33rd season as a charter skipper out of Bream Bay. The boat is SUMO, a 14 metre purpose built charter vessel moored at berth C9 in Marsden Cove Marina, with room for up to 16 anglers fishing and a second pickup point at McLeod’s Bay wharf. Trips run from short evening sessions through to multi-day stay-aboard adventures, and casual anglers can join a scheduled trip rather than book the whole boat.
Services
- Day line fishing trips to the Hen and Chicken Islands and Bream Bay, departing 7.30am
- Evening line fishing trips to Bream Head or the Chicken Islands during daylight saving
- Big game and sport fishing from January to May for marlin, tuna, mahi mahi, kingfish and sharks
- Overnight and multi-day trips to the Mokohinau Islands
- Coastal multi-day tours north to Whangamumu and Whangaruru or east to Little Barrier and Great Barrier
Highlights
- Skipper Steve Martinovich is fishing his 33rd season as a charter skipper
- SUMO is a 14 metre purpose built charter boat with room for up to 16 fishing
- Individual and casual spots are sold on regular trips, not whole boat bookings only
- Second pickup point at McLeod’s Bay wharf as well as the Marsden Cove berth
- Hire rods, bait supply and group catering can be added to any trip
Location & Contact
Name: Bream Bay Charters
Address: Marsden Cove Marina, Berth C9, Marsden Point, Whangarei
Phone: 0274 749751
Website: breambaycharters.co.nz
2Fish Tutukaka
Fish Tutukaka is a private boat charter working from M Berth at Tutukaka Marina, on the coast northeast of Whangarei, with skipper Luke aboard Hookie. Trips are sold as a whole boat booking and the itinerary is confirmed and personalised by phone the night before, so a day can run as inshore fishing, offshore game fishing, or a mix of fishing and exploring the Poor Knights. Luke has studied freshwater and marine ecology, and the boat fishes within responsible limits.
Services
- Half day five hour fishing trips along the Tutukaka Coast
- Full day eight hour inshore fishing charters
- Offshore big game trips targeting broadbill and late season marlin
- Specialist trips including saltwater fly fishing, light tackle fishing and blue water spearfishing
- Combo trips pairing fishing with snorkelling or stand up paddleboarding
Highlights
- Hookie is a 10 metre walk-around vessel in current survey for 12 passengers
- Berthed at M Berth, Tutukaka Marina, with direct access to the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve
- Skipper Luke has studied freshwater and marine ecology alongside outdoor adventure
- Deck facilities include a toilet, a fresh water shower and full clear surrounds
Location & Contact
Name: Fish Tutukaka
Address: M Berth, Tutukaka Marina, Tutukaka, Northland
Phone: 021 204 6149
Website: fishtutukaka.co.nz
3EC Fishing Charters
EC Fishing Charters is based at One Tree Point on Bream Bay and runs Kingfisher, a Stabicraft 2250 centre cab rigged for both inshore and offshore work. Trips cover Bream Bay and the Tutukaka Coast and range further north toward Russell and Paihia, targeting snapper, kingfish, tuna and marlin. Packages are listed with pricing and booked online, and shared game fishing and kingfish trips are sold by the seat as well as by the boat.
Services
- Half day four hour inshore fishing trips
- Full day eight hour snapper trips on Bream Bay
- Game fishing charters for marlin and tuna
- Dedicated kingfish trips
- Deep drop and bottom fishing charters
Highlights
- Shared game fishing and kingfish trips are sold per person, not only as whole boat bookings
- Kingfisher is a Stabicraft 2250 centre cab set up for inshore and offshore fishing
- Game fishing trips run Okuma Makaira tackle
- Trip pricing is published per package and bookable online
Location & Contact
Name: EC Fishing Charters
Address: 48 Rauiri Drive, One Tree Point 0118, Northland
Phone: 021 107 8682
Website: ecfishing.co.nz
4Snap Fishing Ventures
Snap Fishing Ventures is a lure-only guiding operation run by skipper Nik Key, departing from Parua Bay and Marsden Cove into Bream Bay and beyond. Trips run aboard a mid-range six metre sports boat taking four anglers, and the focus is on teaching clients how to find workups and fish soft-baits and jigs rather than fishing bait. Nik also guides on clients’ own boats and writes how-to features on lure technique for NZ Fishing News.
Services
- Guided lure fishing charters departing Parua Bay and Marsden Cove
- Guided lure fishing tuition aboard your own boat, with all gear and a sea anchor supplied
- Slow jigging and mechanical jigging for snapper, kingfish, john dory and gurnard
- Online lure fishing tutorial series covering topics such as the anchovy run and winter workups
Highlights
- Every charter is fished with lures only, no bait
- Skipper Nik Key has more than 500 charter and guiding trips behind him
- Rods, reels and lures are supplied, including slow jigs and mechanical jigs
- Nik’s team won the inaugural Berkley Gulp softbait competition in 2006
- Tackle testing feeds into how-to articles written for NZ Fishing News
Location & Contact
Name: Snap Fishing Ventures
Address: Parua Bay and Marsden Cove, Whangarei
Phone: 021 596 074
Website: snapfishingventures.com
5Bay Fishing Charters
Bay Fishing Charters Ltd runs Nimble II, a 17 metre charter vessel working out of Marsden Cove Marina. It is the largest boat on this page, which is what lets it take groups the smaller operators cannot, and it fishes Bream Bay, the Hen and Chickens Islands, the Mokohinau Islands and further out to Great Barrier Island on multi-day trips. Scheduled day trips take up to 20 people, so individual anglers can book a spot rather than the whole boat.
Services
- Scheduled day fishing trips for up to 20 people from Marsden Cove Marina
- Private whole-boat charters
- Multi-day trips to Great Barrier Island
- Fishing the Hen and Chickens Islands and the Mokohinau Islands
- Group bookings for staff functions, Christmas parties and stag parties
Highlights
- Nimble II is 17 metres, the largest charter vessel listed on this page
- Carries up to 20 people on a scheduled day trip
- The boat is suitable for disabled and wheelchair using passengers
- Takes function and party bookings as well as fishing charters
Location & Contact
Name: Bay Fishing Charters Ltd
Address: Marsden Cove Marina, Marsden Point, Whangarei
Phone: 0800 22 93 47
Website: bayfishingcharters.nz
Fishing Charters in Whangarei at a Glance
| Business | Based in | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Bream Bay Charters | Berth C9 | Skipper Steve Martinovich is fishing his 33rd season as a charter ski... |
| Fish Tutukaka | Tutukaka Marina | Hookie is a 10 metre walk-around vessel in current survey for 12 pass... |
| EC Fishing Charters | One Tree Point | Shared game fishing and kingfish trips are sold per person |
| Snap Fishing Ventures | Whangarei | Every charter is fished with lures only, no bait |
| Bay Fishing Charters | Marsden Point | Nimble II is 17 metres, the largest charter vessel listed on this page |
How to Choose the Right Fishing Charter in Whangarei
- Decide between a private boat booking and a shared trip. Some operators sell the whole boat only, others sell seats by the person, and the cost per head differs sharply.
- Match the boat to the water you want to fish. An inshore run to Bream Head suits a smaller trailer boat, while the Mokohinaus and the marlin grounds call for a larger surveyed vessel.
- Check what tackle is included. Rods, reels, lures and bait come with the trip on some charters and are hired at extra cost on others.
- Ask where the boat departs from. Marsden Cove, Parua Bay, McLeod’s Bay and Tutukaka Marina are all used locally, and the drive from Whangarei differs between them.
- Think about the season. Inshore snapper fishing runs most of the year, while marlin and tuna charters generally operate from January to May.
Frequently Asked Questions About Whangarei Fishing Charters
How much does a fishing charter in Whangarei cost?
Rates are set by the operator and by the length of the trip. Published Northland prices commonly run from around $1,200 for a half day private charter to roughly $2,000 for a full day, with big game days priced higher again, while a casual seat on a shared day trip sits closer to $230 per person. Check what is included before booking, because rod hire, bait and catering are often charged separately.
What fish can you catch out of Whangarei?
Snapper is the mainstay, alongside kahawai, trevally, tarakihi, john dory, gurnard and the occasional hapuka on deeper grounds. Kingfish come on around the Hen and Chicken Islands and the Mokohinaus, and from January to May the boats target marlin, tuna and mahi mahi off Ocean Beach and north of the Chickens.
Where do Whangarei fishing charters depart from?
Most fishing charters in Whangarei leave from Marsden Cove Marina at Marsden Point, about half an hour’s drive from the city centre, or from Tutukaka Marina on the coast to the northeast. Parua Bay and McLeod’s Bay on the Whangarei Heads road are also used as pickup points. If you are staying at Ruakaka, One Tree Point or Waipu, Marsden Cove is your closest departure; from Ngunguru or Matapouri, Tutukaka is nearer.
Do I need to bring my own rod and tackle?
Usually not. Charter boats carry rods, reels and terminal tackle, and some include lures or bait in the trip price while others charge for hire rods and bait on top. You are generally welcome to bring a favourite rod, and a lure-focused guide will happily show you how to set it up.
Can I book a single seat, or do I have to take the whole boat?
Both models operate locally. Some skippers run scheduled trips where individuals and pairs buy a seat, and some sell shared game fishing or kingfish days per person. Others are private charter businesses that take whole boat bookings only. Ask when you enquire, because it changes the cost per person considerably.
How many fish am I allowed to keep?
Recreational daily limits and minimum legal sizes apply to everyone on board a charter, and they vary by species and by area. Whangarei sits within the Auckland and Kermadec fisheries management area. Check the current rules with Fisheries New Zealand before you head out, and ask the skipper what the boat’s own catch policy is, since several encourage tag and release.
How do I know a charter boat is safe and properly certified?
Any vessel carrying paying passengers in New Zealand must operate under a maritime transport operator certificate and hold current survey for a stated number of passengers. Operators generally publish survey status, passenger numbers and safety gear on their own websites. Requirements and operator obligations are set out by Maritime New Zealand.
What happens if the weather turns before my trip?
Charters on this coast are weather dependent and skippers call it a day or two out. Most will reschedule at no cost or refund the deposit, minus any online processing fee, when conditions stop a trip going ahead. Confirm the cancellation terms at the time of booking rather than on the morning.
How We Chose the Best Fishing Charters in Whangarei
Every business in this guide was found by searching for fishing charters in Whangarei, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Whangarei, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.