Apsley Strait (Tiwi)

Estuary·Northern Territory·Australia

Field notes

Narrow tidal channel separating Bathurst and Melville islands, the artery between the two Tiwi communities. Strong tide flow stacks bait on the points - threadfin, queenfish, black jewfish and the occasional barra. Tiwi Land Council permit required.

Current conditions

Wind
7.1 kt ESE
Gusts 17.7 kt
Waves
m
Period —
Swell
m
Period —
Sea temp
°C
Air 26.4°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
7.1 ESE
11:00
6.2 ESE
12:00
6 SE
13:00
5.9 SE
14:00
5.7 SE
15:00
6.2 SE
16:00
6.5 SE
17:00
5 SE
18:00
3.9 SSE
19:00
2.4 SSE
20:00
0.5 SE
21:00
0.9 E
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: South Barlow Point ↗ (16.1 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · North Tiwi CoastIssued at 2:30 pm CST on Tuesday 21 July 2026
Situation. A weakening ridge of high pressure directs an east to southeasterly flow over coastal waters. Winds will ease slightly before strengthening again towards the end of the week as a new ridge builds over central Australia.
Tuesday 21 July until midnight. Winds: Northeast to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots tending southeast to southwesterly in the late afternoon. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Clear.
Wednesday 22 July. Winds: Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots, reaching up to 20 knots offshore during the morning. Winds becoming variable about 10 knots in the late afternoon. Seas: Around 1 metre. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Sunny.
Thursday 23 July. Winds: South to southeasterly about 10 knots tending east to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots before dawn then becoming variable about 10 knots in the late afternoon. Seas: Around 1 metre. Swell: Below 0.5 metres. Weather: Sunny.
Friday 24 July. Winds: East to southeasterly 15 to 20 knots tending south to southeasterly during the day. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres south of Channel Point during the morning. Swell: East to northeasterly below 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny. North Tiwi Coast: Cape Fourcroy to Cape Don
Source: Open-Meteo Marine + ECMWF (15-min cache) · BOM (1-hr cache). Not for navigation.

Sun & moon

Today
Sun↑ 07:09↓ 18:41
Moon↑ 12:05↓ 00:52
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
  • Dawn06:47 – 08:09
  • Dusk17:41 – 19:04
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 07:09↓ 18:42
Moon↑ 12:44↓ 01:42
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
  • Dawn06:47 – 08:09
  • Dusk17:42 – 19:04
Best windows combine civil twilight with the hour either side of sun transit — the universal low-light feeding window most species respond to. Moon phase influence is folkloric; full and new moons coincide with the strongest tide swings.

What's biting

Recent reports from the community. Sign in to log your own catches.

Access & logistics

Spot type
Estuary
Region
Northern Territory, Australia
Fishing style
estuary fishing and land-based fishing
Structure
Typically holds drop-offs, flats and holes — work the structure for holding fish.
Licence
Recreational fishing licence may apply — check the Northern Territory fisheries regulator before fishing.
Closures
Always confirm current marine park / closure status and seasonal bag limits.

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