Rauoterangi Channel
- Saltwater
- Channel
Rauoterangi Channel
- Saltwater
- Channel
- Sq. miles
- 18
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 27
Rauoterangi Channel is a significant marine passage separating Kapiti Island from the North Island's west coast, approximately 40 kilometers north of Wellington. This deep tidal channel is a dynamic marine environment where two major sea currents converge, creating a unique ecological zone that supports a diverse mix of temperate and subtropical marine life. The channel forms a key part of the Kapiti Marine Reserve, an area of high ecological importance known for its role as a breeding ground for numerous fish and invertebrate species. With depths reaching up to 70 meters, the channel features a varied seafloor of silt, gravel, sand, sponge gardens, and large anemone beds, providing rich habitat structure for angling opportunities.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Rauoterangi Channel and what's needed to catch them.
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Rauoterangi Channel. 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 Rauoterangi Channel itself is recognized as a popular fishing spot. The deep channel, with its varied bathymetry and seafloor structures like sponge gardens and gravel beds, attracts pelagic and demersal species. The area where the Waikanae River estuary meets the saltwater creates a nutrient-rich mixing zone that can be productive. Outside the marine reserve, the rocky, kelp-forested coasts of the outer Kapiti Island area offer structure for species like butterfish and perch.
Know where you can legally fish on Rauoterangi Channel
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.
Wellington licenses and regulations
No licenses or regulations available for Wellington.
Take Rauoterangi Channel 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 Rauoterangi Channel to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Rauoterangi Channel 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 Rauoterangi Channel and check the marine forecast before you launch.
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