Last updated October 2026
Kaiti Beach runs along the eastern side of Poverty Bay below Titirangi (Kaiti Hill), from the port towards Sponge Bay, with sand along the foreshore and rock pools at the far end.
Gisborne Photo News once described it as a beach of sand and rock favoured by fishermen. It is inside the Gisborne harbour limits, with a channel reserved for boats, and it is a dog-free beach. There is a public toilet, and Kaiti Beach Road runs right along the shore.
At a Glance
- Location
- Kaiti Beach Road, eastern side of Poverty Bay, Gisborne
- Type
- Sandy foreshore with rocks and rock pools towards Sponge Bay
- Water
- Poverty Bay (sea), inside the Gisborne harbour limits
- Main species
- Gisborne shore species: snapper, kahawai, trevally and kingfish
- Access
- Foreshore parking along Kaiti Beach Road
- Toilets
- Public toilet at Kaiti Beach
- Dogs
- Prohibited on the beach and dunes, even on a leash
- Tide port
- Gisborne (LINZ)
- Rules
- MPI Central; no licence needed
- Cost
- Free
- High 2:57 am 1.9 m
- Low 9:08 am 0.6 m
- High 3:24 pm 1.9 m
- Low 9:45 pm 0.6 m
Best times today: around 2:57 am, 9:08 am, 3:24 pm and 9:45 pm (2 hours either side of each tide change), and around 9:31 am and 9:54 pm (moon overhead and underfoot).
Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes best. Full 7-day Gisborne tides ›
Predictions only; actual tides vary with weather.
What You'll Find Here
Kaiti Beach sits below Titirangi, the hill where the Cook landing site lies at its base, on the eastern side of the port. Low-tide rock pools lie at the far end of the beach, and Tuamotu Island, off Sponge Bay, is in view.
At the end of the road, known as Tawararo, local tramping club trips set off on wet, swell-dependent reef walks to Tuamotu at low tide.
The beach is used for sailboarding and yachting, and Kaiti Yacht Club is one of the council’s water quality sites; it rated suitable for swimming in the January 2025 round.
Under the Tairāwhiti Navigation Safety Bylaw, the Kaiti Beach channel is reserved for boats travelling between the shore and the open sea, and other activities must keep out of it while boats are using it.
At the western end, the beach meets the Port of Gisborne’s operational area. Fish from the beach, not from port structures.
How to Fish Kaiti Beach
Where and when
Cast from the sand along the foreshore, or work towards the rocks at the eastern end at lower tides. Keep out of the boat channel, and away from sailboarders and yachts.
What to catch
- Snapper and kahawai: the main shore catches on the Gisborne coast.
- Trevally and kingfish: also taken by Gisborne shore anglers.
- Local advice: ask at Hunting & Fishing Gisborne what is being caught in Poverty Bay.
Getting There and Facilities
- Access: Kaiti Beach Road runs along the shore from the port end to Tawararo at the far end.
- Toilets: the council lists a public toilet at Kaiti Beach.
- Campervans: certified self-contained vehicles may freedom camp within the painted blue lines in the Kaiti Beach parks, so the parks can be busy.
- Dogs: prohibited on Kaiti Beach and its dunes, even on a leash.
- More to do: for swimming, history and the walk to Tuamotu, see our Kaiti Beach guide.
Rules and Safety
- Sea fishing follows MPI’s Central area rules. No licence is needed, and MPI lists no closures at Kaiti.
- Keep out of the Kaiti Beach boat channel while boats are using it. Under the Navigation Safety Bylaw, fishing gear must not obstruct navigation.
- Do not fish from port structures at the western end.
- Avoid gathering shellfish for two to three days after heavy rain, and cook shellfish until the shells open.
- The reef walk to Tuamotu Island is wet and tide-dependent. Do not get caught by the rising tide.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Hunting & Fishing Gisborne, 310 Gladstone Road: tackle, bait and local advice.
Useful Links
Gisborne District Council: Navigation Safety Bylaw: the Kaiti Beach channel and harbour rules.
MPI Central fishing rules: size limits and daily limits for the East Coast.
Gisborne District Council: dog exercise areas: the Kaiti Beach dog ban and other beach rules.
Kaiti Beach: Common Questions
Can I fish at Kaiti Beach?
Yes, from the sand and the rocks towards the eastern end. Keep out of the boat channel and off port structures.
What can I catch at Kaiti Beach?
Snapper and kahawai are the main shore catches on the Gisborne coast, with trevally and kingfish at times.
Can I take my dog to Kaiti Beach?
No. Dogs are prohibited on the beach and dunes, even on a leash.
Is there a toilet at Kaiti Beach?
Yes, the council lists a public toilet there.
Can I camp at Kaiti Beach?
Only certified self-contained vehicles, within the painted blue lines in the Kaiti Beach parks.
Do I need a licence?
No. Sea fishing needs no licence, 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).