Last updated October 2026
Mākara Beach is a stony beach at the end of Mākara Road in Ōhāriu Bay, about 30 minutes’ drive from central Wellington, on the city’s wild west coast.
Anglers surfcast the beach, fish the stream mouth beside the car park, and walk the rocky coast to spots such as Boom Rock, which has a long history of big snapper and, more recently, kingfish.
The water is often very clear. The key thing to know is the wind: the beach is sheltered in a southerly but very exposed to northerlies, so it is a good choice on a southerly day when the south coast is blown out.
Mākara Beach at a Glance
- Location
- End of Mākara Road, Ōhāriu Bay, west coast of Wellington
- Water
- Open west coast facing Cook Strait (sea)
- Main species
- Kahawai, snapper and kingfish (Boom Rock), tarakihi, wrasse; trevally and red cod reported on this coast
- Best conditions
- Southerly winds and clean water; avoid northerlies and north-westerlies
- Baits
- Limpets and chitons from the rocks, pilchard; live baits at the stream mouth
- Getting there
- By car only, via Karori and Mākara Road; large gravel car park
- Toilets
- Beside the car park
- Tide port
- Port Taranaki, adjusted for Mākara Beach (LINZ secondary port, approximate)
- Rules
- MPI Central fishing area; no licence needed for sea fishing
- Cost
- Free
- High about 4:34 am
- Low about 10:46 am
- High about 5:14 pm
- Low about 11:32 pm
Best times today: around 4:34 am, 10:46 am, 5:14 pm and 11:32 pm (2 hours either side of each tide change).
Moving water around the tide changes usually fishes best. Full 7-day Wellington tides ›
Predictions only; actual tides vary with weather.
What to Expect
Mākara Beach lies where Makara Stream meets the sea in Ōhāriu Bay. There is a large car park behind the beach, toilets and a small boat ramp near the stream mouth. Wellington City Council describes it as a place for walking, fishing and diving.
The hills above carry the 62 turbines of the West Wind farm, and the Mākara Walkway climbs to the Second World War gun emplacements of Fort Opau, which were garrisoned by 100 soldiers.
The dunes behind the beach were bulldozed in 1942 over fears that invaders could hide in them, and rare plants are now returning in the Mākara Foreshore Reserve.
A Ngāti Ira pā site stands on the promontory at the western end of Fisherman’s Bay. Until 1859 Mākara could be reached only by water or Māori tracks, and an 1860s gold rush briefly brought about 1,000 men to the valley.
The estuary behind the beach is being restored by the community group Makaracarpas. LAWA describes it as the only remaining salt marsh estuary on the Wellington Peninsula.
How to Fish Mākara Beach
Where to fish
- The beach: surfcasting onto sand. NZ Fishing News rates Mākara and Tītahi Bay as the easiest fishing on Wellington’s west coast for that reason.
- The stream mouth: to the right of the car park. It is weedy and hard work in a swell, but worth a live bait or a floating pilchard.
- The rocky coast: the bays south along the walkway, such as Wharehou Bay and Opau Bay, are popular with local anglers and divers.
- Boom Rock: about two hours’ walk along the coast after crossing Makara Stream. It has produced snapper over 10 kg in the past and good kingfish more recently.
When to go
DOC describes the beach as sheltered from southerly winds but very exposed to northerlies, and the coast takes a hammering in a north-westerly.
A moderate swell can help on the rocks by stirring up food, as long as you can stand safely. The west coast’s main season runs from November to April; the cooler months are mostly red cod and kahawai.
What to catch and what to use
- Snapper and kingfish: mainly at Boom Rock. Bring heavier rock gear.
- Tarakihi, wrasse and cod: historically taken from the rocks on limpets, two or three to a hook, with crushed limpets as berley.
- Kahawai: seen working the stream mouth; a live bait or floating pilchard is the method there.
- Trevally and red cod: reported along the wider west coast. Shellfish baits help avoid red cod and dogfish.
Getting There and Facilities
- Driving: go through Karori to the end of Karori Road, then turn right onto Mākara Road, or come from Johnsonville through the Ōhāriu Valley. The road has narrow corners, cyclists and occasional rockfall.
- No bus: Metlink buses stop in Karori, so Mākara is reached by car or bike.
- Parking and toilets: a large gravel car park behind the beach, with toilets beside it.
- Supplies: there is no drinking water and only limited mobile coverage, so bring water and tell someone your plans.
- Dogs: the beach is an off-lead dog exercise area, but dogs are not allowed on the Mākara Walkway.
- Walkway: the Mākara Walkway is a 6.6 km loop over farmland. Part of it closes for lambing from 1 August to 30 September; the beach stays open.
Rules and Safety
- Sea fishing here follows MPI’s Central area rules. No licence is needed. Check the MPI page or the NZ Fishing Rules app for current limits.
- Set-net restrictions apply out to 4 nautical miles offshore from Hawera to the Wellington Harbour entrance, which includes Mākara. Rod and line fishing is not affected.
- No closure, mātaitai or marine reserve covers Mākara. Taputeranga Marine Reserve is on the south coast near Island Bay and does not reach here.
- Makara Stream is a trout fishery and spawning area. Trout need a Fish & Game licence.
- Rocks are slippery with weed and exposed to Cook Strait swell. Do not fish the rocks in a northerly or north-westerly, and check the tide before walking to Boom Rock.
- The gun emplacement roofs at Fort Opau could collapse: keep out of the fenced areas.
- Water quality at the stream mouth is not monitored and the catchment is farmland. Avoid the stream mouth after heavy rain.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Pete Lamb Fishing, 15 Kingsford Smith Street, Rongotai: tackle, bait and local advice, open seven days.
- Hunting & Fishing Hutt Valley, 8 Te Puni Street, Petone: fishing tackle and outdoor gear.
Further Reading
MPI Central fishing rules: current limits, closures and set-net restrictions.
Wellington City Council: Mākara Beach: parking, toilets, dog rules and the coastal walk to Boom Rock.
NZ Fishing News: Destination review, Mākara: local history, spots and baits along this coast.
Common Questions
What can you catch at Mākara Beach?
Kahawai, snapper and kingfish (mainly at Boom Rock), tarakihi and wrasse off the rocks, plus trevally and red cod reported along the west coast.
When is Mākara good to fish?
In a southerly, when the beach is sheltered. It is very exposed to northerlies and north-westerlies.
How far is Boom Rock?
About two hours’ walk along the coast from the beach, after crossing Makara Stream.
Do I need a fishing licence?
Not for sea fishing, but MPI’s Central area rules apply. Trout in Makara Stream need a Fish & Game licence.
Can I take my dog?
Yes on the beach, which is an off-lead area. Dogs are not allowed on the Mākara Walkway.
Is there a bus to Mākara?
No. Buses stop in Karori, so you need a car or bike.
Which tide times should I use?
West coast times. This guide uses Port Taranaki adjusted for Mākara Beach, which LINZ marks as approximate.
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.