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Beacon 18
Reef·Victoria·Australia·
Field notes
Long-standing snapper drift on the western side of Port Phillip Bay south of St Kilda, marked by the navigation pile. Broken reef and shell beds in 14-18 m hold reds through spring and summer. Squid also work the edges in calm conditions.
Current conditions
Wind
9 kt SW
Gusts 21.6 kt
Waves
0.6 m
Period 3.7 s
Swell
0.2 m
Period 9.1 s
Sea temp
15.4°C
Air 14.8°C
Next 12 hours
13:00
9 SW
0.6m
14:00
9.6 SW
0.7m
15:00
10 SSW
0.8m
16:00
9.9 SSW
1m
17:00
9.8 SSW
1m
18:00
8.3 SW
1m
19:00
10 WSW
1m
20:00
10.1 WSW
1m
21:00
9.9 WSW
1m
22:00
9 W
1m
23:00
7.9 W
0.9m
00:00
7.3 W
0.9m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Sandringham ↗ (2.9 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · Port PhillipIssued at 10:00 pm EST on Tuesday 19 May 2026
Situation. A high pressure ridge will extend across the north of the State whilst a couple of weak cold fronts will cross to the south today and early Wednesday. The high pressure ridge will extend across the remainder of the State late Wednesday then persist for Thursday and Friday. The main high centre will move southeast on Saturday but will continue to extend a ridge over Victoria.
Tuesday 19 May until midnight. Winds: Westerly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1.5 metres. Swell: Southwesterly 2 to 2.5 metres. Weather: Cloudy. 60% chance of showers.
Wednesday 20 May. Winds: Westerly 15 to 20 knots turning southwesterly early in the morning. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, decreasing to 1 metre during the afternoon. Swell: Southwesterly 2 to 2.5 metres. Weather: Partly cloudy. 70% chance of showers.
Thursday 21 May. Winds: West to northwesterly about 10 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Southwesterly 2.5 metres. Weather: Partly cloudy.
Friday 22 May. Winds: Northerly about 10 knots tending northeasterly 10 to 15 knots during the day. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Southwesterly 2 to 3 metres. Weather: Partly cloudy. Central Coast: Cape Otway to Wilsons Promontory
Source: Open-Meteo Marine + ECMWF (15-min cache) · BOM (1-hr cache). Not for navigation.
Sun & moon
Today
Sun↑ 07:18↓ 17:17
Moon↑ 10:00↓ 19:10
PhaseWaxing crescent 10%
Best windows
- Dawn06:49 – 08:18
- Dusk16:17 – 17:46
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 07:18↓ 17:17
Moon↑ 10:59↓ 20:22
PhaseWaxing crescent 18%
Best windows
- Dawn06:50 – 08:18
- Dusk16:17 – 17:45
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
Reef
Region
Victoria, Australia
Fishing style
offshore and bluewater fishing
Structure
Typically holds bommies and drop-offs — work the structure for holding fish.
Licence
Recreational fishing licence may apply — check the Victoria fisheries regulator before fishing.
Closures
Always confirm current marine park / closure status and seasonal bag limits.
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