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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
3.7 kt NNE
Gusts 10.5 kt
Waves
0.1 m
Period 4.7 s
Swell
0.1 m
Period 3.8 s
Sea temp
25.9°C
Air 27.3°C
Next 12 hours
13:00
3.7 NNE
0.1m
14:00
5.5 NNE
0.1m
15:00
4.3 NE
0.1m
16:00
2.3 NE
0.1m
17:00
1.8 NE
0.1m
18:00
0.7 N
0.1m
19:00
0.4 N
0.1m
20:00
0.5 SSW
0.1m
21:00
1.2 SSW
0.1m
22:00
1.8 SSW
0.1m
23:00
1.9 SSW
0.1m
00:00
2.3 SSW
0.1m
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 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↑ 06:36↓ 17:50
Moon↑ 09:57↓ 20:06
PhaseWaxing crescent 10%
Best windows
- Dawn06:13 – 07:36
- Dusk16:50 – 18:13
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:37↓ 17:50
Moon↑ —↓ 21:12
PhaseWaxing crescent 18%
Best windows
- Dawn06:14 – 07:37
- Dusk16:50 – 18:13
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.
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