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Melville Island
Shoreline·Northern Territory·Australia·
Field notes
The larger of the Tiwi Islands and one of the most famous billfish grounds in the country, with charter lodges operating out of Bathurst Harbour and the Apsley Strait. Black marlin run close in October-November; barra and threadfin through the rivers year round. Tiwi permit required.
Current conditions
Wind
8.5 kt E
Gusts 18.5 kt
Waves
— m
Period —
Swell
— m
Period —
Sea temp
29.3°C
Air 28.7°C
Next 12 hours
14:00
8.5 E
—
15:00
8 ESE
—
16:00
7 E
—
17:00
5.2 E
—
18:00
2.2 E
—
19:00
2.2 ESE
—
20:00
2.2 ESE
—
21:00
2.2 ESE
—
22:00
2.5 SSE
—
23:00
4 ESE
—
00:00
5.3 SE
—
01:00
7.8 SE
—
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Cache Point ↗ (22.3 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · North Tiwi CoastIssued at 8:30 pm CST on Tuesday 19 May 2026
Situation. A ridge of high pressure strengthening over Central Australia is directing moderate to fresh southeasterly winds over coastal waters, persisting for most of the week.
Tuesday 19 May until midnight. Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore south of Channel Point. Swell: Below 0.5 metres. Weather: Partly cloudy.
Wednesday 20 May. Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, decreasing to 1 metre by early evening. Swell: East to northeasterly below 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy.
Thursday 21 May. Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, decreasing to 1 metre during the afternoon. Swell: East to northeasterly around 1 metre offshore. Weather: Sunny.
Friday 22 May. Winds: East to southeasterly 15 to 20 knots becoming variable about 10 knots during the day. Seas: Around 1 metre. Swell: Northeasterly below 1 metre. Weather: 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↑ 06:56↓ 18:30
Moon↑ —↓ 20:54
PhaseWaxing crescent 10%
Best windows
- Dawn06:34 – 07:56
- Dusk17:30 – 18:53
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:57↓ 18:30
Moon↑ 10:15↓ 22:00
PhaseWaxing crescent 19%
Best windows
- Dawn06:34 – 07:57
- Dusk17:30 – 18:53
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
Shoreline
Region
Northern Territory, Australia
Fishing style
land-based fishing and estuary fishing
Structure
Typically holds drop-offs and flats — 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.
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