Last updated November 2026
The Manawatū Estuary is where the Manawatū River meets the sea at Foxton Beach, a Ramsar wetland of international importance and one of the best bird-watching spots in the country. Fish & Game says fishing for mullet, kahawai and herring is popular at the Foxton Beach boat ramp and the river mouth, and anglers pick up the occasional sea-run trout.
Horowhenua District Council calls the estuary a favourite spot for fishing, reached on foot from Holben Parade or by driving the sand at low tide. Watch the incoming tide on the flats.
At a Glance
- Location
- Manawatū River mouth, Foxton Beach
- Water
- Estuary and Tasman Sea
- Main species
- Mullet, kahawai and herring; occasional sea-run trout
- Boat ramp
- Hartley Street, via Seabury Avenue and Linklater Avenue
- River mouth
- Past the Foxton Beach camp and yacht club; sand beyond the camp is 4WD only
- Walking access
- Off Holben Parade, parking by a small picnic shelter
- Hazards
- Incoming tide on the flats; strong winds
- Tide port
- Port Taranaki, with Manawatū River Entrance offsets
- Rules
- MPI Central for sea fish; Fish & Game Wellington for trout
- Licence
- None for sea fish; Fish & Game licence for sea-run trout
- High about 2:16 am
- Low about 8:43 am
- High about 2:36 pm
- Low about 9:18 pm
Best times today: around 2:16 am, 8:43 am, 2:36 pm and 9:18 pm (2 hours either side of each tide change).
Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes best.
Predictions only; actual tides vary with weather.
What You'll Find Here
The estuary was listed under the Ramsar Convention as a Wetland of International Importance in 2005, site number 149. DOC says 95 bird species have been recorded there, including bar-tailed godwits that fly from Siberia, and it supports about one per cent of the world’s wrybills. It is also permanent home to 13 threatened bird species, six threatened fish species and four threatened plants.
DOC manages the site with the Manawatū Estuary Trust, local iwi, Horizons Regional Council, Horowhenua District Council and Landcare Trust, under a 2025 management plan. Anglers share the estuary with bird watchers, so keep to the tracks and away from roosting birds.
Foxton Beach itself is 5 km west of Foxton. The open surf beach running south from the mouth has its own fishing guide; this one covers the estuary, the river mouth and the boat ramp.
How to Fish the Manawatū Estuary
Where and when
The boat ramp and the river mouth are the two popular spots. Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes better than slack water, and a falling tide draws baitfish out past the mouth. Keep an eye on the incoming tide if you wander out onto the flats.
What to catch and what to use
- Mullet and herring: small hooks and small baits; Fish & Game notes bait fishing is productive in the slow lower river.
- Kahawai: lures or cut bait around the mouth when they come in after baitfish.
- Sea-run trout: the occasional fish, on spinners such as copper and black spoons or blade spinners. You need a Fish & Game licence.
What to bring
A light spinning rod, small hooks for mullet and herring, a few metal lures, and a four-wheel drive if you plan to drive to the mouth.
Getting There and Facilities
- Boat ramp: from Seabury Avenue, the main road through Foxton Beach, turn left into Linklater Avenue, then left into Hartley Street; the ramp is about 300 m along.
- River mouth by vehicle: go to the end of Seabury Avenue, turn left and follow the road round to the Foxton Beach Camp, then turn left before the camp onto a dirt road past the yacht club. Past the camp you are on sand that suits four-wheel drives only.
- On foot: DOC’s walking access is off Holben Parade, with parking by a small picnic shelter, or along the sandy track past the old boat club to the flats.
- From the surf beach: at low tide you can drive north along the beach to the estuary.
- More: for the surf beach, see our Foxton Beach surfcasting guide; for the town and walks, our Foxton Beach guide.
Rules and Safety
- Mullet, kahawai, herring and other sea fish follow MPI’s Central area rules. No licence is needed.
- Sea-run trout are sports fish. Fish & Game rules treat the estuary and river mouth as freshwater, so you need a Fish & Game licence to fish for them.
- Set netting is banned out to 4 nautical miles offshore from Hāwera south to the Wellington Harbour entrance, to protect Hector’s and Māui dolphins.
- This is a Ramsar wetland with threatened birds and fish. Keep vehicles off the salt marsh and away from roosting birds.
- Watch for the incoming tide on the flats, and strong winds, which are common on this coast.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Hunting & Fishing Manawatu, 35 Grey Street, Palmerston North.
From locals
Any hazards to watch for when walking out on the estuary flats?
Are there any toilets near the boat ramp or the river mouth?
No answers yet. If you know, a local would love to hear it.
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Manawatū Estuary: Common Questions
What can you catch at the Manawatū Estuary?
Mullet, kahawai and herring at the boat ramp and river mouth, and the occasional sea-run trout.
Do I need a licence?
Not for sea fish. For sea-run trout you need a Fish & Game licence, because the estuary counts as freshwater.
Where is the boat ramp?
On Hartley Street, reached from Seabury Avenue via Linklater Avenue, about 300 m along.
Can I drive to the river mouth?
Yes, past the Foxton Beach camp and yacht club, but the sand beyond the camp is four-wheel drive only.
Where can I walk in?
From Holben Parade, with parking by a small picnic shelter.
Why is the estuary special?
It is a Ramsar wetland of international importance, with 95 bird species recorded and threatened birds, fish and plants.
Which tide port should I use?
Port Taranaki, with the Manawatū River Entrance offsets.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- DOC: Manawatū Estuary: access, safety and the Ramsar wetland.
- Fish & Game: Lower Manawatū access guide: the boat ramp, river mouth and lower river.
- MPI Central fishing rules: limits for sea fish.
Sources and data notes 1
- Tides today: Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ), adjusted from Port Taranaki using LINZ secondary port offsets.