Waimea Inlet is the largest semi-enclosed coastal estuary in New Zealand's South Island, encompassing 3,455 hectares with an internal coastline of 65 kilometers between Tahunanui and Mapua. This significant tidal inlet is defined by a line connecting the Tasman Bay shoreline at Mapua, Moturoa Rabbit Island, and Tahunanui Beach. It functions as a vital ecological transition zone where the freshwater flows of the Waimea River and 21 other streams and rivers meet the saltwater of Tasman Bay. The inlet features a complex mosaic of habitats, including intertidal flats, channels, and ten islands, with Rabbit Island forming a prominent outer barrier that influences tidal flows and sediment distribution. It is a landscape of immense importance for migratory birds and native fish species, situated beside the urban centers of Nelson, Richmond, and Mapua, making it a highly accessible yet ecologically sensitive fishing destination.