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
1.2 kt N
Gusts 2.9 kt
Waves
— m
Period —
Swell
— m
Period —
Sea temp
—°C
Air 24.3°C
Next 12 hours
01:00
1.2 N
—
02:00
0.8 NE
—
03:00
0.5 W
—
04:00
1.9 ESE
—
05:00
2.9 NNE
—
06:00
2.1 ENE
—
07:00
2.7 ENE
—
08:00
3.5 ENE
—
09:00
5 ENE
—
10:00
5 E
—
11:00
5.9 E
—
12:00
6.4 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 am CST on Wednesday 21 October 2026
Situation. A weak ridge lies across the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Top End. Winds are tending west to northwesterly through the western waters as a broad trough moves in from the west.
Wednesday 21 October until midnight. Winds: West to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots tending northwest to northeasterly in the early morning then tending west to northwesterly in the early afternoon. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Thursday 22 October. Winds: Variable about 10 knots becoming north to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots in the middle of the day then tending west to northwesterly in the early afternoon. Seas: Below 0.5 metres, increasing to below 1 metre south of Channel Point. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening.
Friday 23 October. Winds: Westerly 10 to 15 knots becoming variable about 10 knots during the morning then becoming west to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots during the day. Seas: Below 0.5 metres, increasing to below 1 metre south of Channel Point. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon. North Tiwi Coast: Cape Fourcroy to Cape Don
Wednesday 21 October until midnight. Winds: Easterly 10 to 15 knots turning northeasterly in the late afternoon. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: East to northeasterly below 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny.
Source: Open-Meteo Marine + ECMWF (15-min cache) · BOM (1-hr cache). Not for navigation.
Sun & moon
Today
Sun↑ 06:22↓ 18:46
Moon↑ 14:32↓ 03:15
PhaseWaxing gibbous 73%
Best windows
- Dawn06:00 – 07:22
- Dusk17:46 – 19:07
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:21↓ 18:46
Moon↑ 15:21↓ 03:53
PhaseWaxing gibbous 81%
Best windows
- Dawn06:00 – 07:21
- Dusk17:46 – 19:08
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.
Saved.
Comments
Sign in to leave a comment.
No comments yet — be the first.