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Bream Bay

  • Saltwater
  • Bay
Sq. miles
84
Boat Ramps
0
Access Points
0
Species
30

Bream Bay is a storied and productive saltwater fishery on Northland's east coast, stretching from Bream Head in the north to Bream Tail in the south. Named by Captain James Cook for its abundant snapper, the bay remains a premier destination for inshore and nearshore angling, offering a mix of surf beaches, nearshore reefs, and deeper offshore pinnacles. The area is renowned for producing trophy-sized snapper and respectable kingfish, with a rich history of supporting both recreational and commercial fishing. The waters here are influenced by the adjacent Whangarei Harbour and offer access to iconic offshore destinations like the Hen and Chicken Islands.

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Bream Bay. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

The bay is dotted with productive grounds. Nearshore reefs like "Three Mile Reef" and "Five Mile Reef" are areas of low-lying foul that hold snapper and can be fished with bait or soft baits. The foul ground off Uretiti, the Waipu rivermouth, and the areas off Langs Beach and Bream Tail are known for baitfish and associated predators. Deeper pinnacles and foul ground in the middle of the bay and towards Bream Tail hold aggregations of snapper, often in 35-40 meters of water. McGregor Rock off Bream Tail rises from 27m to within 11m of the surface and is a noted spot for spearfishing. For surfcasters, the beaches from Ruakaka to Waipu Cove are popular, with the rocks at the southern end of Waipu Cove beach being a noted shore fishing spot. The Hen and Chicken Islands, 22 kilometres offshore, are a premier destination for both fishing and diving.

Know where you can legally fish on Bream Bay

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Northland licenses and regulations

No licenses or regulations available for Northland.

Take Bream Bay with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

  • Use the map without signal

    Download the map around Bream Bay to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Bream Bay to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)

On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Bream Bay and check the marine forecast before you launch.

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