Port Essington (Cobourg)
Bay·Northern Territory·Australia·
Field notes
Long protected inlet on the south side of Cobourg Peninsula within Garig Gunak Barlu - park and sea permits required. Sheltered shorelines and creek mouths produce barra and threadfin; rubble bottom holds golden snapper and black jewfish. Charter-friendly when weather kicks up outside.
Current conditions
Wind
8 kt SE
Gusts 19.1 kt
Waves
0.4 m
Period 2.9 s
Swell
0.2 m
Period 3.3 s
Sea temp
25.9°C
Air 25.8°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
8 SE
0.4m
11:00
7.6 SE
0.4m
12:00
7.2 SE
0.4m
13:00
7.6 SSE
0.4m
14:00
7.5 SSE
0.4m
15:00
5.6 SSE
0.3m
16:00
4.1 SSE
0.3m
17:00
2.3 SSE
0.3m
18:00
1 SW
0.2m
19:00
2.2 NW
0.2m
20:00
2.5 N
0.2m
21:00
3.3 NE
0.1m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Two Hills Bay ↗ (21.5 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · Van Diemen GulfIssued 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↑ 07:02↓ 18:35
Moon↑ 11:58↓ 00:45
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
- Dawn06:40 – 08:02
- Dusk17:35 – 18:57
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 07:02↓ 18:35
Moon↑ 12:37↓ 01:35
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
- Dawn06:39 – 08:02
- Dusk17:35 – 18:57
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
Bay
Region
Northern Territory, Australia
Fishing style
estuary fishing and land-based fishing
Structure
Typically holds flats 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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