Cardwell Artificial Reef
Reef·Queensland·Australia·
Field notes
Inshore artificial reef in the Rockingham Bay area off Cardwell, between the mainland and Hinchinbrook. Fingermark, grunter and golden trevally hold on the structure, with mackerel and queenfish moving through on the tide. Listed on the Fisheries QLD AR program.
Current conditions
Wind
2.8 kt SSE
Gusts 6.6 kt
Waves
0.3 m
Period 3.8 s
Swell
0.3 m
Period 2.8 s
Sea temp
27.6°C
Air 21.9°C
Next 12 hours
01:00
2.8 SSE
0.3m
02:00
2.8 SSE
0.3m
03:00
2.2 SSE
0.3m
04:00
4.5 SE
0.3m
05:00
3.6 SSE
0.3m
06:00
2.5 S
0.3m
07:00
2.2 SE
0.3m
08:00
4.3 E
0.3m
09:00
5.4 E
0.3m
10:00
5.9 ENE
0.3m
11:00
6.7 ENE
0.3m
12:00
7.1 ENE
0.3m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Cardwell ↗ (4 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · Cairns CoastIssued at 3:00 am EST on Wednesday 21 October 2026
Situation. A ridge of high pressure extends over the northern Queensland waters from a high [1035 hPa] centred over the southern Tasman Sea. This pattern will persist over coming days as the high slowly weakens.
Wednesday 21 October until midnight. Winds: East to southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell: Southeasterly around 1 metre outside the reef. Weather: Partly cloudy.
Thursday 22 October. Winds: East to southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell: Southeasterly around 1 metre outside the reef. Weather: Mostly sunny.
Friday 23 October. Winds: East to southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre. Swell: East to southeasterly below 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny. Peninsula Coast: Sharp Point to Cape Melville
Wednesday 21 October until midnight. Winds: East to southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell: East to southeasterly around 1 metre outside the reef. Weather: Mostly sunny.
Source: Open-Meteo Marine + ECMWF (15-min cache) · BOM (1-hr cache). Not for navigation.
Sun & moon
Today
Sun↑ 05:44↓ 18:19
Moon↑ 13:52↓ 02:46
PhaseWaxing gibbous 73%
Best windows
- Dawn05:21 – 06:44
- Dusk17:19 – 18:41
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 05:43↓ 18:19
Moon↑ 14:43↓ 03:21
PhaseWaxing gibbous 81%
Best windows
- Dawn05:21 – 06:43
- Dusk17:19 – 18:41
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
Queensland, 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 Queensland fisheries regulator before fishing.
Closures
Always confirm current marine park / closure status and seasonal bag limits.
Saved.
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