Quail Island

Shoal·Northern Territory·Australia

Field notes

Low mangrove island in Bynoe Harbour southwest of Darwin. The drains and gutters around the island fish for barra and threadfin on the run-out, with golden snapper on the deeper edges. Tide-dependent — easy to strand a boat.

Current conditions

Wind
7.9 kt E
Gusts 17.5 kt
Waves
0.2 m
Period 4.7 s
Swell
0.1 m
Period 10.7 s
Sea temp
24.8°C
Air 25.8°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
7.9 E
0.2m
11:00
7.3 E
0.2m
12:00
5.2 E
0.2m
13:00
3.2 ESE
0.2m
14:00
0.9 WSW
0.2m
15:00
4 WNW
0.2m
16:00
6.3 WNW
0.2m
17:00
8.7 W
0.2m
18:00
6.1 W
0.1m
19:00
4.4 W
0.1m
20:00
5.6 WNW
0.1m
21:00
5.5 SW
0.1m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Native Point ↗ (14.7 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↑ 07:11↓ 18:40
Moon↑ 12:04↓ 00:54
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
  • Dawn06:49 – 08:11
  • Dusk17:40 – 19:02
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 07:11↓ 18:40
Moon↑ 12:43↓ 01:44
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
  • Dawn06:49 – 08:11
  • Dusk17:40 – 19:02
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
Shoal
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.

Comments

Sign in to leave a comment.

No comments yet — be the first.