The Firth of Thames (Tīkapa Moana) is renowned for its snapper, kingfish and kahawai fishing. You can fish close to shore from the rocks or on a kayak, or head out into the Firth.
The legendary Waikawau Mussel Farms consistently produce great snapper, but there are some rules to follow;
1. Keep 30m from the barges.
2. No anchors, tie up to a longline buoy or use approved mooring hooks.
3. Don’t tie up to a line being worked on.
4. Reduce speed and wake around the barges.
5. Never drive across the lines.
6. Don’t cast towards the barges as you could hit workers.
The Firth of Thames is pretty tidal, and while it’s not impossible to launch at low tide (you’ll likely need a tractor or 4WD), it’s best to time your launch and retrieval around the higher tides to stay on the concrete ramps.
The Firth of Thames prefers an offshore easterly wind and is often becalmed, but beware of the devil west winds that can whip up dangerous seas and make launching and retrieving your boat difficult, especially if the wind is going against the current. Beware of winds over 10 knots from S, SW, W, NW direction.
Some boat ramps are free, some you need to pay for, some are private. The best and most economical way is to get a yearly pass for all boat ramps in the area. Visit TCDC website for more information.
Kōpū Boat Ramp
Located at the new Kōpū Marina, this ramp is suitable for larger sized boats (5+ metres) up to 2 hours either side of low tide, whilst smaller boats may be able to access at all tides.
The ramp is concrete, although can be covered in a layer of silt from the Waihou River, and at low tide a 4WD may be preferable. A floating pontoon provides coverage for either side of the two ramps.
There is generally 1.0m of water available at low tide, unless in a spring tide. Be aware of a rock mat layer at the bottom of the boat ramp during launching / retrieval at low tide times.
A north-westerly can present some issues when launching/retrieving. River currents can also be challenging if the wind is opposing the tide.
📍King Street (off Quay Street), Kōpū.
💰 Launch and park $33 per day or $115 (across all TCDC ramps) yearly.
🚗 Parking for up to 40 boats and trailers.
Tararū Boat Ramp
This is a small ramp located just 5 mins north of Thames by the Thames Sailing Club. Launch two hours either side of high tide. Caters to small sail boats and dingies.
The Tararū Store and Bait Station is a few minutes before the ramp with a huge selection of bait, tackle and ice.
📍SH25 Tararū, Thames Coast Rd,
💰No fees and charges.
🚗 Parking for up to 15 boats and trailers.
Te Puru Boat Ramp
A solid option for accessing the Firth, the Te Puru Boat Ramp caters to boats up to 7m. Launch and retrieval is a simple task on the higher tides, and all-tide launch and retrieval is possible with a tractor or 4WD.
It’s just a 15 minute boat ride to mussel farms.
Puru Boat Club Inc clubhouse has a kitchenette with jug for tea/coffee for members. They have fishing competitions every year in late December and on Easter Sunday with a tractor available for launching.
📍Seaview Avenue, Te Puru, Thames Coast
💰 $5 per day, pay at the ramp honesty box.
🚗 Parking for up to 100 boats and trailers.
Waiomu Boat Ramp
The Waiomu Boast Ramp is easily accessible for launching and retrieving 2 hours either side of high tide. Ensure you are launching prior to high tide and ideally back at ramp no more than 2 hours after high tide.
Good ramp option for kayaks and small boats that will have no problems with tide constraints.
There’s a large rock hidden by high water, located on the northern side and immediately adjacent to the ramp. Keep a straight line to and from the ramp when launching or landing.
Flushing toilets and changing rooms are available 500m south of the ramp at the Waiomu domain. Bait shop in Waiomu next to the café sells tackle, a huge range of bait and is open early.
📍SH25 Waiomu Thames Coast.
💰No launching fees or charges.
Waikawau Boat Ramp
The Waikawau Boat Ramp is an excellent facility located 30 mins north of Thames and is just a 7 minute boat ride to mussel farms. This is your best best on the coast for all-tide and safe launch and retrieval.
There is a double concrete ramp location within the Waikawau River’s estuary, which makes for safe launching and retrieval on those dreaded westerly winds.
Follow the markers out through the river mouth to the Firth. The river is dredged on a regular basis allowing access for boats up to 5m at low tide. Larger boats should allow an hour either side of high tide.
This ramp is used by a high number of boats over the summer peak so prepared to be patient and considerate of others.
There are public toilet located in the nearby Waikawau reserve.
📍SH25 Waikawau Bay, Thames Coast
💰$15 per day
🚗 Parking for up to 200+ boats and trailers.
Ruamāhunga Boat Ramp
The picturesque Ruamāhunga Boat Ramp caters to maximum boat/trailer length up to 5m.
You need be confident backing as the ramp is narrow, steep and tight. Fibreglass boats could find ramp too steep unless with a 4WD.
Launch 2-3 hours before high and fish up to high tide, which is the easiest retrieval time. It can also be difficult to safely retrieve vessels around low tide.
Ramp very exposed to winds from the S, SW, W, NW, and it has good cover in a northerly.
📍SH25 Ruamāhunga Bay, Thames Coast
💰No launching fees or charges.
🚗 Parking for up to 15 boats and trailers.