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 kt E
Gusts 18.7 kt
Waves
0.6 m
Period 3.9 s
Swell
0.1 m
Period 14.3 s
Sea temp
26.1°C
Air 24.3°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
14 E
0.6m
11:00
13.3 E
0.6m
12:00
12.7 E
0.6m
13:00
11.7 E
0.6m
14:00
10.5 ENE
0.6m
15:00
8.3 ENE
0.5m
16:00
8.4 ENE
0.5m
17:00
8.3 NE
0.5m
18:00
6.6 NE
0.4m
19:00
4.5 ENE
0.4m
20:00
3 ESE
0.4m
21:00
2.1 S
0.3m
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 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↓ 18:40
Moon↑ 12:04↓ 00:52
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
- Dawn06:47 – 08:09
- Dusk17:40 – 19:02
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 07:09↓ 18:40
Moon↑ 12:42↓ 01:42
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
- Dawn06:47 – 08:09
- Dusk17:40 – 19:02
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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