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Cape Don (Cobourg)
Headland·Northern Territory·Australia·
Field notes
North-west tip of Cobourg Peninsula at the entrance to Van Diemen Gulf, a tide-rip ground for Spanish mackerel, longtail tuna and queenfish. The lighthouse marks a heavy current line that piles up bait. Permits required for the Garig Gunak Barlu approaches.
Current conditions
Wind
4.3 kt E
Gusts 17.3 kt
Waves
0.4 m
Period 3.3 s
Swell
0.3 m
Period 2.7 s
Sea temp
29°C
Air 31.4°C
Next 12 hours
13:00
4.3 E
0.4m
14:00
3.1 SSE
0.4m
15:00
3.2 ENE
0.4m
16:00
5.1 ENE
0.4m
17:00
4.2 ENE
0.4m
18:00
3.6 ENE
0.4m
19:00
3.7 E
0.4m
20:00
5.2 E
0.4m
21:00
6.2 ENE
0.4m
22:00
6.2 E
0.4m
23:00
5.5 ESE
0.4m
00:00
7.9 SSE
0.4m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Cape Don ↗ (0 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↑ 06:53↓ 18:28
Moon↑ —↓ 20:52
PhaseWaxing crescent 10%
Best windows
- Dawn06:31 – 07:53
- Dusk17:28 – 18:50
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:53↓ 18:27
Moon↑ 10:12↓ 21:57
PhaseWaxing crescent 18%
Best windows
- Dawn06:31 – 07:53
- Dusk17:27 – 18:50
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
Headland
Region
Northern Territory, Australia
Fishing style
rock fishing and land-based fishing
Structure
Typically holds washes, points 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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