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
9.2 kt ESE
Gusts 21.6 kt
Waves
0.6 m
Period 3.5 s
Swell
0.3 m
Period 4 s
Sea temp
26.5°C
Air 26°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
9.2 ESE
0.6m
11:00
8.5 SE
0.6m
12:00
7.2 SE
0.7m
13:00
7.6 S
0.6m
14:00
7.1 S
0.6m
15:00
6.5 SSW
0.6m
16:00
4.8 SW
0.6m
17:00
1.5 W
0.5m
18:00
4.5 N
0.5m
19:00
5.3 N
0.4m
20:00
5.8 NNE
0.4m
21:00
6 NE
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 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↑ 07:03↓ 18:36
Moon↑ 12:00↓ 00:47
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
- Dawn06:41 – 08:03
- Dusk17:36 – 18:59
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 07:03↓ 18:37
Moon↑ 12:39↓ 01:36
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
- Dawn06:41 – 08:03
- Dusk17:37 – 18:59
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.
Saved.
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