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
7.2 kt N
Gusts 10.3 kt
Waves
0.4 m
Period 9.1 s
Swell
0.3 m
Period 11.1 s
Sea temp
30°C
Air 28°C
Next 12 hours
01:00
7.2 N
0.4m
02:00
7.3 N
0.4m
03:00
6.6 NE
0.4m
04:00
4.9 NE
0.4m
05:00
4.5 NE
0.4m
06:00
6.2 NE
0.4m
07:00
5.6 NE
0.4m
08:00
7.4 NE
0.4m
09:00
7.4 ENE
0.4m
10:00
7.6 E
0.4m
11:00
7.6 E
0.4m
12:00
7.6 E
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 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↑ 06:20↓ 18:45
Moon↑ 14:31↓ 03:15
PhaseWaxing gibbous 73%
Best windows
- Dawn05:59 – 07:20
- Dusk17:45 – 19:07
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:20↓ 18:46
Moon↑ 15:20↓ 03:52
PhaseWaxing gibbous 81%
Best windows
- Dawn05:58 – 07:20
- Dusk17:46 – 19:07
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.
Saved.
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