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
4.9 kt W
Gusts 8.4 kt
Waves
0.4 m
Period 8.9 s
Swell
0.4 m
Period 9.3 s
Sea temp
30.2°C
Air 29°C
Next 12 hours
00:00
4.9 W
0.4m
01:00
4.3 W
0.4m
02:00
3.3 W
0.4m
03:00
2.8 W
0.4m
04:00
2.8 W
0.4m
05:00
3.6 WNW
0.4m
06:00
4.4 NW
0.4m
07:00
5.2 NW
0.4m
08:00
4.2 NNW
0.4m
09:00
3.3 N
0.4m
10:00
5.9 NE
0.4m
11:00
4.7 NNE
0.4m
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 8:41 pm CST on Wednesday 21 October 2026
Situation. A weak ridge across the Gulf of Carpentaria and Top End is contracting east as a broad trough extends across the Territory from the west.
Wednesday 21 October until midnight. Winds: West to northwesterly about 10 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Clear.
Thursday 22 October. Winds: West to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots becoming variable about 10 knots before dawn then becoming west to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots in the middle of the day. Seas: Below 0.5 metres, increasing to around 1 metre south of Channel Point. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny.
Friday 23 October. Winds: West to northwesterly about 10 knots tending north to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots in the morning then tending west to northwesterly in the early afternoon. Seas: Below 0.5 metres, increasing to around 1 metre south of Channel Point. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon.
Saturday 24 October. Winds: Northwesterly 10 to 15 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre, increasing to around 1 metre south of Channel Point. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon. 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↑ 06:24↓ 18:50
Moon↑ 15:24↓ 03:57
PhaseWaxing gibbous 81%
Best windows
- Dawn06:02 – 07:24
- Dusk17:50 – 19:12
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:23↓ 18:51
Moon↑ 16:14↓ 04:35
PhaseWaxing gibbous 88%
Best windows
- Dawn06:02 – 07:23
- Dusk17:51 – 19:12
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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