Cartier Bank
Reef·Northern Territory·Australia·
Field notes
Offshore bank northwest of the Tiwi Islands sitting on the edge of the Timor Sea shelf. Gamefishing ground for billfish, yellowfin and dogtooth tuna; bottom drops hold red emperor and big cod. Charter or seasoned offshore trip from Darwin.
Current conditions
Wind
14.3 kt E
Gusts 20.2 kt
Waves
0.8 m
Period 4.2 s
Swell
0.2 m
Period 5.8 s
Sea temp
26.9°C
Air 24.4°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
14.3 E
0.8m
11:00
13.8 E
0.8m
12:00
12.9 E
0.8m
13:00
11.4 E
0.8m
14:00
9.7 ESE
0.7m
15:00
7.6 ESE
0.7m
16:00
4.3 ESE
0.6m
17:00
5.2 S
0.6m
18:00
5.6 S
0.6m
19:00
4 SSW
0.5m
20:00
6.5 SSW
0.5m
21:00
11.2 SSW
0.5m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Peron Island North ↗ (78.6 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · Beagle Bonaparte 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↑ 07:14↓ 18:43
Moon↑ 12:08↓ 00:57
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
- Dawn06:52 – 08:14
- Dusk17:43 – 19:06
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 07:14↓ 18:44
Moon↑ 12:46↓ 01:47
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
- Dawn06:52 – 08:14
- Dusk17:44 – 19:06
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
Northern Territory, 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 Northern Territory fisheries regulator before fishing.
Closures
Always confirm current marine park / closure status and seasonal bag limits.
Saved.
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