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Cairns Inlet
Estuary·Queensland·Australia·
Field notes
Cairns and Trinity Inlets feed a network of mangrove creeks and drains. Barramundi and mangrove jack hold tight to structure on the run-out; queenfish and threadfin work the open flats on bigger tides.
Current conditions
Wind
5.2 kt ESE
Gusts 14.6 kt
Waves
0.4 m
Period 6.9 s
Swell
0.3 m
Period 7.1 s
Sea temp
25.5°C
Air 28.2°C
Next 12 hours
13:00
5.2 ESE
0.4m
14:00
5.2 ESE
0.4m
15:00
5.3 ESE
0.4m
16:00
4.1 ESE
0.4m
17:00
3.6 ESE
0.4m
18:00
1.5 SE
0.4m
19:00
0.9 SSW
0.4m
20:00
1.5 SW
0.4m
21:00
1.6 SW
0.4m
22:00
1.7 SW
0.4m
23:00
2.2 SSW
0.4m
00:00
2.5 SW
0.4m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Cairns ↗ (0.2 km · primary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · Cairns CoastIssued at 9:00 pm EST on Tuesday 19 May 2026
Situation. A firm ridge will extend across northern Queensland from Wednesday and persist for the next few days, as a new high [1027 hPa] moves east across southern Australia.
Tuesday 19 May until midnight. Winds: Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots, reaching up to 20 knots offshore east of Cape York. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1.5 metres outside the reef. Swell: East to southeasterly below 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy.
Wednesday 20 May. Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell: East to southeasterly below 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny.
Thursday 21 May. Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, decreasing to 1 metre during the morning, then increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres around midday. Swell: Southeast to southwesterly around 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy. 70% chance of showers.
Friday 22 May. Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres outside the reef. Swell: East to southeasterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef. Weather: Partly cloudy. Peninsula Coast: Sharp Point to Cape Melville
Source: Open-Meteo Marine + ECMWF (15-min cache) · BOM (1-hr cache). Not for navigation.
Sun & moon
Today
Sun↑ 06:35↓ 17:53
Moon↑ 09:56↓ 20:10
PhaseWaxing crescent 10%
Best windows
- Dawn06:13 – 07:35
- Dusk16:53 – 18:16
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:36↓ 17:53
Moon↑ —↓ 21:16
PhaseWaxing crescent 18%
Best windows
- Dawn06:13 – 07:36
- Dusk16:53 – 18:16
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
Queensland, 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 Queensland fisheries regulator before fishing.
Closures
Always confirm current marine park / closure status and seasonal bag limits.
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