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
9.3 kt SSE
Gusts 18.8 kt
Waves
0.5 m
Period 4.6 s
Swell
0.4 m
Period 4.4 s
Sea temp
22.6°C
Air 22.2°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
9.3 SSE
0.5m
11:00
9.4 SSE
0.5m
12:00
9 SE
0.5m
13:00
7.5 SSE
0.5m
14:00
8 SSE
0.6m
15:00
9.2 SE
0.6m
16:00
9.1 SE
0.6m
17:00
7.3 SE
0.6m
18:00
7.7 SE
0.6m
19:00
7.4 SE
0.6m
20:00
7.7 SE
0.6m
21:00
8.6 SE
0.6m
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 pm EST on Tuesday 21 July 2026
Situation. A firm ridge of high pressure extends over the northern Queensland waters from a high [1031 hPa] centred over the Tasman Sea. The ridge will slowly relax over coming days as the high slowly weakens, before strengthening again from Friday as a new high moves east across southern Australia.
Tuesday 21 July until midnight. Winds: Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Southeasterly around 1 metre outside the reef. Weather: Mostly clear.
Wednesday 22 July. Winds: Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: East to southeasterly below 1 metre, increasing to around 1 metre outside the reef. Weather: Mostly sunny.
Thursday 23 July. Winds: East to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre. Swell: East to southeasterly around 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny.
Friday 24 July. Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon. Swell: East to southeasterly below 1 metre, increasing to around 1 metre 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↑ 06:47↓ 17:58
Moon↑ 11:24↓ 00:26
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
- Dawn06:24 – 07:47
- Dusk16:58 – 18:21
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:47↓ 17:58
Moon↑ 12:00↓ 01:18
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
- Dawn06:24 – 07:47
- Dusk16:58 – 18:22
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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