New Zealand - Three Kings

Live-aboard charter fishing around the Three Kings and Princess Group of islands north-west of New Zealand hosted by Kevin McKie.

The Three Kings and Princess Group are a remote cluster of 13 uninhabited rocky islands, located approximately 50 nautical miles northwest of North Cape, New Zealand. This fishing region features a diverse underwater landscape, including banks such as the King and Middlesex Banks, along with deep trenches and towering sea mounts where the South Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea. Positioned on a submarine plateau, the area experiences strong currents and nutrient-rich upwellings, making it one of New Zealand’s premier fishing destinations.

Anglers are drawn to these waters for the chance to catch prized species such as Yellowtail Kingfish, Marlin, Broadbill Swordfish, Wreckfish, Tuna, and Trevally. Due to its remote location, fishing trips to the Three Kings are entirely live-aboard, with boats departing from Mangonui in the far north of New Zealand.

Enchanter Fishing Charters are our chosen Three Kings specialists who have been working the grounds of the Three Kings, Ranfurly Banks and White Island for over 20 years and have extensive knowledge of the fishing grounds. They are dedicated to providing customers with the best fishing experience New Zealand has to offer.

Itinerary Example:
Day 1 - Depart UK for Auckland
Day 3 - Arrive Auckland. Take road transfer to Mangonui (around 4½ hours)
Day 4 - Overnight - clean, comfortable accommodation, single rooms
Day 5 - Join live-aboard charter boat at 6pm
Day 6 to 11 - 6 days intense fishing
Day 12 - Disembark midday and overnight accommodation in Mangonui, single rooms
Day 13 - Private transfers to Auckland airport (around 4½ hours) for pm departure home
Day 14 - Arrive back in UK (depending on chosen airline)

PRICES FROM:

£4430 per person - based on 6 anglers plus Kevin

Flights from UK are not included

Kevin McKie is planning a trip in February 2026. Call him on 07999 628 511 for further details.

Read Kevin’s report from his January 2025 trip below:

“Our second trip to New Zealand has been eventful to say the least, when we arrived in Auckland the weather was sunny and warm. As we travelled five hours by road to Mangonui in the north the weather dramatically changed to strong winds and heavy rain, thank God we had a few days to rest before we headed out on our live-aboard charter to the Three King Islands.

As we started our live-aboard charter the weather forecast was amazing, sunny with light winds for at least the first three days. During the twelve-hour steam to the Three King Islands we trolled lures catching Yellow Fin Tuna to 70lb for Josh Carter and small Skip Jack Tuna. When we arrived at our anchorage we started fishing for Snapper and Mike Sherwood caught the biggest at about 12lb, Mike also hooked a Tope about 35lb on his Snapper gear as he got it to the surface a big Mako Shark followed it up and bit it clean in half, I turned to Mike and said welcome to The Three King Islands!

Over the next few days we enjoyed amazing fishing over the off shore reefs catching some very impressive fish to say the least. Mike Sherwood caught his first ever Blue Marlin estimated at 550lb by the skipper, Mike also caught Bass to 75lb, Yellow Tail King Fish to 62lb and Snapper to 12lb.

Stephen Eastwood caught a Striped Marlin estimated at 200lb by the skipper, Stephen also caught a Sting Ray about 150lb, Bass to 92lb and Yellow Tail King Fish to 77lb.

Tony McQuillan caught his first Striped Marlin that weighed 115lb, sadly it got tail wrapped and died during the fight, he also caught a Bronze Whaler Shark estimated at 200lb, Yellow Tail King Fish to 62lb, Bass to 50lb and Blue Nose to 25lb.

Josh Carter caught Yellow Tail King Fish to 68lb, Bass to 50lb and Blue Nose to 30lb.

John Owan caught Yellow Tail King Fish to 62lb, Wadahoe to 30lb, Blue Nose to 25lb and Snapper to 15lb.

Ben Fowler caught a Bronze Whaler Shark estimated 250lb, Yellow Tail King Fish to 64lb, Bass to 30lb and Blue Nose to 25lb.

I managed to catch one of my bucket list fish a Bass over 100lb, I got lucky with a cracker that hit the scales at 108lb, I also caught Yellow Tail King Fish to 60lb and Dorado to 25lb.

Then the weather forecast was stating winds over 30mph for the rest of the week so we decided to leave the islands and fish the North Cape in shelter from the strong winds. Trolling we caught small Yellow Fin Tuna, Skip Jack Tuna, Albacore Tuna and Yellow Tail King Fish, we did raise one Marlin but it never took the lure.

We also anchored the inshore reefs catching plenty of Snapper to 10lb, Yellow Tail King Fish to 15lb, Tope to 40lb, small Bronze Whaler Sharks and lots of smaller different species.

The wildlife in this part of the world is amazing, we’ve seen Whales, Orcas, Dolphins, Porpoise, Sunfish, Sharks and lots of sea birds including Albatross. All the lads really enjoyed the trip it’s just a shame we didn’t get the weather to stay at the islands for the whole week.

If you would like to join us in 2026 or 2027 please contact myself or Anglers World Holidays" 

Regards Kevin 07999628511