Last updated October 2026
Himatangi Beach is a small settlement on the open Manawatū coast between Foxton Beach and Tangimoana. Local anglers surfcast here and set kontiki lines on calm evenings for kahawai and snapper.
The Palmerston North Surf Life Saving Club patrols the beach from December to March, and Manawatū District Council allows vehicles only on designated parts of the beach. It is a long, exposed beach, so pick a calm day.
At a Glance
- Location
- End of Koputara Road, Himatangi Beach, Manawatū District
- Type
- Long, open west coast surf beach
- Water
- Tasman Sea
- Main species
- Kahawai and snapper; gurnard on kontiki
- Best time
- Calm days and evenings
- Lifeguards
- Palmerston North SLSC, December to March; paid weekday guards mid-December to end of January
- Vehicles
- Only in areas the council designates for driving
- Tide port
- Port Taranaki, with Manawatū River Entrance offsets
- Rules
- MPI Central; toheroa are protected
- Licence
- None needed for sea fishing
- Low about 1:57 am
- High about 7:57 am
- Low about 2:24 pm
- High about 8:21 pm
Best times today: around 1:57 am, 7:57 am, 2:24 pm and 8:21 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.
More About Himatangi Beach
From above, the road into Himatangi Beach ends at a car park on the dunes beside a small stream that runs out across the sand, with the settlement’s grid of streets behind and pine-covered dunes stretching north. The beach itself runs for kilometres in both directions.
The Palmerston North Surf Life Saving Club has provided volunteer lifeguards here since 1947, from December to March, and Manawatū District Council funds a paid lifeguard service on weekdays from mid-December to the end of January. Over Christmas 2024 the club counted a record 800 people on the beach.
Driving on the beach is limited by the council’s Public Places Bylaw to the areas it designates, and there have been concerns about vehicle speeds along the beachfront. Police patrols have been stepped up in summer.
How to Fish Himatangi Beach
Surfcasting
Walk a kilometre or two from the settlement to get away from swimmers and find a quieter gutter. Calm conditions give you the best chance of kahawai coming in close. Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes better than slack water.
Kontiki
Local anglers set kontiki longlines from Himatangi on calm evenings, targeting snapper and kahawai. Make sure your gear meets MPI’s longline rules, and set well away from swimmers.
What to catch and what to use
- Kahawai: fresh bait or a metal lure in the surf.
- Snapper and gurnard: mostly on kontiki lines set well out, sometimes on surfcast baits on the bottom.
- Bait: bring it from Palmerston North; there is no tackle shop at the beach.
Getting There and Facilities
- Driving: Koputara Road runs through the settlement to the beach car park on the dunes.
- Lifeguards: the surf club patrols from December to March. Fish well away from the flags.
- Vehicles: drive only in the areas the council designates, keep your speed down and keep off the dunes.
- Events: the club’s Big Dig fundraiser fills the beach on a Saturday in January.
Rules and Safety
- Sea fishing here follows MPI’s Central area rules. No licence is needed.
- 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.
- Toheroa are protected on this coast. Do not take or disturb them.
- This is an exposed beach. Get swell and wind forecasts from MetService before you go, and watch for vehicles on the sand.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Hunting & Fishing Manawatu, 35 Grey Street, Palmerston North.
Trusted Sources
Manawatū District Council: Himatangi Beach patrols: surf club patrols and beach safety.
MPI Central fishing rules: size limits, daily limits and longline rules.
Common Questions
Where is Himatangi Beach?
On the Manawatū coast between Foxton Beach and Tangimoana, west of Palmerston North.
What can you catch at Himatangi?
Kahawai and snapper, with gurnard on kontiki lines.
Is Himatangi Beach patrolled?
Yes. The Palmerston North Surf Life Saving Club patrols from December to March.
Can I drive on the beach?
Only in the areas Manawatū District Council designates for driving. Keep off the dunes.
Can I use a kontiki here?
Yes. Local anglers set kontiki lines on calm evenings. Follow MPI’s longline rules.
Can I collect toheroa?
No. Toheroa are protected on this coast.
Do I need a fishing licence?
No. You do not need a licence for sea fishing, but MPI’s Central area limits apply.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Sources and data notes 1
- Tides today: Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ), adjusted from Port Taranaki using LINZ secondary port offsets.