Sampan Creek
Estuary·Northern Territory·Australia·
Field notes
Tidal feeder of the lower Mary River system, well known for run-off barramundi and metre-plus threadfin salmon. Fish the snags on the drop, and the mouth on the change. Big crocs - this country deserves respect.
Current conditions
Wind
8.3 kt ESE
Gusts 17.7 kt
Waves
— m
Period —
Swell
— m
Period —
Sea temp
25.3°C
Air 26.2°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
8.3 ESE
—
11:00
8.2 ESE
—
12:00
7 SE
—
13:00
5.5 SSE
—
14:00
5.5 S
—
15:00
5.2 SSW
—
16:00
3.6 SW
—
17:00
2.4 W
—
18:00
2.5 NW
—
19:00
4.2 NNW
—
20:00
4.4 NW
—
21:00
3.6 WNW
—
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Chambers Bay ↗ (13.5 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↑ 07:05↓ 18:35
Moon↑ 11:59↓ 00:48
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
- Dawn06:43 – 08:05
- Dusk17:35 – 18:57
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 07:05↓ 18:35
Moon↑ 12:37↓ 01:38
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
- Dawn06:43 – 08:05
- Dusk17:35 – 18:58
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
Estuary
Region
Northern Territory, Australia
Fishing style
estuary fishing and land-based fishing
Structure
Typically holds drop-offs, flats and holes — 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.
Comments
Sign in to leave a comment.
No comments yet — be the first.