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Big Reef
Reef·Northern Territory·Australia·
Field notes
Long reef system north-west of Darwin, one of the closest serious reef grounds to the city. Spanish mackerel troll the edges on the run-in, with golden snapper, black jewfish and coral trout on the bottom. Tidal flow is strong - drop on the slack.
Current conditions
Wind
14.7 kt E
Gusts 21.6 kt
Waves
0.7 m
Period 3.7 s
Swell
0.2 m
Period 3.7 s
Sea temp
28.9°C
Air 26.7°C
Next 12 hours
13:00
14.7 E
0.7m
14:00
13.1 ENE
0.7m
15:00
13.1 ENE
0.6m
16:00
11.2 E
0.6m
17:00
9.6 E
0.5m
18:00
10 E
0.5m
19:00
10 E
0.4m
20:00
9.7 ESE
0.4m
21:00
12.1 S
0.4m
22:00
8.7 SSE
0.4m
23:00
16 SE
0.4m
00:00
17.2 SE
0.4m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Fenton Patches ↗ (18.9 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · North Tiwi CoastIssued at 8:30 pm CST on Tuesday 19 May 2026
Situation. A ridge of high pressure strengthening over Central Australia is directing moderate to fresh southeasterly winds over coastal waters, persisting for most of the week.
Tuesday 19 May until midnight. Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore south of Channel Point. Swell: Below 0.5 metres. Weather: Partly cloudy.
Wednesday 20 May. Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, decreasing to 1 metre by early evening. Swell: East to northeasterly below 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy.
Thursday 21 May. Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, decreasing to 1 metre during the afternoon. Swell: East to northeasterly around 1 metre offshore. Weather: Sunny.
Friday 22 May. Winds: East to southeasterly 15 to 20 knots becoming variable about 10 knots during the day. Seas: Around 1 metre. Swell: Northeasterly below 1 metre. Weather: 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↑ 06:59↓ 18:31
Moon↑ —↓ 20:55
PhaseWaxing crescent 10%
Best windows
- Dawn06:36 – 07:59
- Dusk17:31 – 18:53
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:59↓ 18:31
Moon↑ 10:18↓ 22:00
PhaseWaxing crescent 19%
Best windows
- Dawn06:37 – 07:59
- Dusk17:31 – 18:53
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
Northern Territory, 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 Northern Territory fisheries regulator before fishing.
Closures
Always confirm current marine park / closure status and seasonal bag limits.
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