Last updated November 2026
Hōkio Beach is a small bach settlement on the Horowhenua coast, about 9 km west of Levin along Hokio Beach Road. Horowhenua District Council describes a vast, sandy beach with vehicle access, and toilets, picnic tables, a barbecue and a playground at the entrance.
Locals set kontiki lines along the long stretch of beach between Hōkio and the Manawatū River, and surfcasters fish the gutters for kahawai. It is a quiet, open beach with big views on clear days.
At a Glance
- Location
- End of Hokio Beach Road, about 9 km west of Levin
- Water
- Tasman Sea
- Main species
- Kahawai; snapper and gurnard on kontiki; flounder and sole
- Best time
- Calm days; local surfcasters rate mid-February to mid-April
- Facilities
- Toilets, picnic tables, barbecue and playground at the beach entrance
- Vehicles
- Allowed on the beach; it is legally a road. Keep off the dunes
- Lifeguards
- None
- Tide port
- Port Taranaki, with Waitārere Beach offsets (approximate)
- Rules
- MPI Central; toheroa are protected
- Licence
- None needed for sea fishing
- High about 1:31 am
- Low about 7:41 am
- High about 1:51 pm
- Low about 8:16 pm
Best times today: around 1:31 am, 7:41 am, 1:51 pm and 8:16 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 Hōkio Beach
To reach Hōkio, turn into Hokio Beach Road just south of the Levin shops and drive about nine kilometres past the Levin Racecourse and Lake Horowhenua, through typical Horowhenua farmland. The settlement is still mostly holiday baches.
Once on the beach, the views can be spectacular: Kapiti Island to the south, Ruapehu to the north and, on clear days, Taranaki out to sea. Walk or drive north and you reach the Manawatū River; head south and you are on your way to Waikawa Beach.
Hōkio has a long fishing history. A 1911 newspaper described it as known for flounder, sole, kahawai and mullet, with snapper on the line. This guide covers the open beach; the Hōkio Stream and Lake Horowhenua are a separate matter and are not covered here.
How to Fish Hōkio Beach
Surfcasting
Drive or walk along the beach to find a gutter or hole in the surf, away from anyone swimming. Calm mornings with a small swell give the best chance of kahawai coming in close, and local surfcasters rate the Manawatū beaches best from mid-February to mid-April. Paddle crabs can strip baits, so check yours often.
Kontiki
Locals set kontiki longlines along the beach between Hōkio and the Manawatū River on calm days. Check your gear meets MPI’s longline rules and keep lines clear of other beach users.
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.
- Flounder and sole: small baits fished on the sand.
Getting There and Facilities
- Driving: turn into Hokio Beach Road just south of the Levin shops and follow it about 9 km to the beach.
- Facilities: toilets, a picnic area with tables, a barbecue and a playground at the beach entrance.
- Vehicles: you can drive on the beach. It is classed as a road, so WOF, registration, speed limits and road rules apply. Keep off the dunes and beach vegetation.
- Nearby: for the next beach south, see our Waitārere Beach fishing guide.
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.
- There are no lifeguards. This is an exposed beach where wind and surf build quickly; get MetService forecasts and watch for vehicles on the sand.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Hunting & Fishing Manawatu, 35 Grey Street, Palmerston North.
- Hunting & Fishing also has a store in Ōtaki, south of Levin.
From locals
Where can I buy fishing tackle and bait near Hōkio Beach?
Is there room to park near the beach entrance on a busy weekend?
No answers yet. If you know, a local would love to hear it.
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Common Questions
Where is Hōkio Beach?
About 9 km west of Levin, at the end of Hokio Beach Road.
What can you catch at Hōkio?
Kahawai in the surf, snapper and gurnard on kontiki lines, and flounder and sole on the sand.
Can I drive on Hōkio Beach?
Yes. The beach is classed as a road, so road rules apply. Keep off the dunes.
Are there toilets?
Yes, with picnic tables, a barbecue and a playground at the beach entrance.
Is the beach patrolled?
No. There are no lifeguards at Hōkio.
When is the best time to fish?
Calm days. Local surfcasters rate the Manawatū beaches best from mid-February to mid-April.
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.
Related links 2
- Horowhenua District Council: Hōkio Beach: directions and facilities.
- MPI Central fishing rules: size limits, daily limits and longline rules.
Sources and data notes 1
- Tides today: Tide predictions: LINZ (CC BY 3.0 NZ), adjusted from Port Taranaki using LINZ secondary port offsets.