Westhaven Fishing: Under the Harbour Bridge, Auckland

Last updated October 2026

Westhaven sits at the southern end of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and the seawall where Curran Street meets the water, right beside the bridge, is a city fishing spot you can drive straight to.

Local anglers come here mainly for kahawai, early in the morning or after dark, and you can park a few steps from where you cast. It is a spot for a short session with light gear rather than a full day out. The marina piers next door are for berth holders only, so fish from the public seawall.

At a Glance

Location

Harbour end of Curran Street, Westhaven, beside the southern end of the Auckland Harbour Bridge

Water

Waitematā Harbour (sea)

Main species

Kahawai

Best time

Early morning or at night

Suits

Short sessions with light gear; children only with close supervision

Getting there

Street parking on Curran Street, beside the water

Toilets

Te Oka Pt Erin Park, above the seawall

Tide port

Auckland (LINZ standard port)

Rules

MPI Auckland and Kermadec (Auckland East); no licence needed for sea fishing

Cost

Free

Getting to Know Westhaven

Curran Street runs down from Herne Bay to the harbour beside the bridge’s southern abutment, where it meets Shelly Beach Road as it passes under the motorway towards Westhaven Marina.

From the air the shore here is a long, gently curving seawall, with cars parked nose to the water along the road and a band of rock at its foot. Beyond it is open harbour, with the bridge overhead and boats passing beneath it.

Above the road is Te Oka Pt Erin Park, about 4 hectares of open grass next to the Pt Erin Pool, with a playground, a basketball half-court, picnic tables, toilets and a drinking fountain. The pool, with outdoor and dive pools and hydroslides, is a summer outing for families.

On the other side of the bridge is Westhaven Marina. Its piers are gated, with swipe tags issued to boat owners and their registered crew, and swimming is not allowed anywhere in the marina.

LegaSea’s Kai Ika filleting trailer works from Z Pier for most of the year and passes the fish heads and frames on to families in South Auckland.

How to Fish Westhaven

Where and when

Fish from the top of the seawall at the Curran Street end, close to the bridge. A local angler’s tip for this spot is kahawai at night or early in the morning.

Boats pass under the bridge, so cast away from the channel and watch your line when a wake comes through. As on most harbour shores, moving water around the tide changes usually fishes better than slack water.

What to catch and what to use

• Kahawai: the fish this spot is known for. Cast and retrieve a small metal lure or soft bait, or fish a strip of fresh bait under a float or on a light running rig.
• Other harbour fish: anything that swims the inner Waitematā can pass this shore. Ask at a tackle shop for what has been caught recently.

What to bring

A warm jacket, because it can get windy under the bridge, a long-handled landing net to lift fish up the seawall, and a head torch for early or late sessions. Buy bait before you arrive.

Getting There and Facilities

• Parking: street parking along Curran Street, right beside the seawall.
• Walking and cycling: a waterfront path starts on Curran Street, passes under the bridge and follows the Westhaven Promenade towards Wynyard Quarter and the Viaduct. For the walk itself, see our Westhaven Promenade guide.
• Toilets: in Te Oka Pt Erin Park, along with a playground, picnic tables and a drinking fountain.
• Dogs: on a leash in council parks.
• Marina: the piers are for berth holders and their crew, behind swipe-tag gates, and are not open to the public.

Rules and Safety

• The seawall is on Auckland East water, so MPI’s Auckland and Kermadec rules for that sub-area apply. You do not need a licence to fish in the sea.
• For the marine reserve, fenced port areas and other public wharves around the harbour, see our Waitematā Harbour fishing guide.
• Stay on top of the seawall rather than climbing down onto the rocks, especially in the dark or when they are wet.
• Swimming is not allowed in Westhaven Marina.
• Water quality under the bridge can drop after heavy rain: Safeswim shows the latest before you swim or keep anything you gather.
• Auckland Council parks are smokefree and open fires are illegal. Take your bait bags and line home.

Tackle and Bait Nearby

• Burnsco Westhaven, 129 Westhaven Drive, on the marina side of the bridge: boating and fishing equipment, open seven days.

Trusted Sources

Common Questions

Where do you fish at Westhaven?
From the seawall at the harbour end of Curran Street, beside the southern end of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. You can park right next to it.

What can you catch under the Harbour Bridge?
Kahawai are the fish local anglers come for. Other inner-harbour fish can turn up too.

When is the best time to fish here?
Early in the morning or at night, when kahawai are about and there are fewer boats and people around.

Can I fish from the Westhaven Marina piers?
No. The piers are gated for berth holders and their crew. Fish from the public seawall on Curran Street instead.

Do I need a fishing licence?
No licence is needed to fish from the seawall. Size and daily limits are set by MPI’s Auckland and Kermadec rules.

Are there toilets nearby?
Yes, in Te Oka Pt Erin Park just above the seawall, with a playground and drinking fountain.

Is it good for children?
Older children with close supervision. It is a roadside seawall with rocks below, so keep young children back from the edge.

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