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Shoal Bay
Bay·Northern Territory·Australia·
Field notes
Shallow tidal bay north-east of Darwin, fringed by mangrove creeks and sand flats. Barramundi and threadfin salmon move in on the bigger tides, and mud crabs are a serious target through the creek systems. Major saltwater crocodile habitat throughout.
Current conditions
Wind
6.6 kt E
Gusts 20.8 kt
Waves
0.2 m
Period 2.3 s
Swell
0.1 m
Period 2.7 s
Sea temp
29.3°C
Air 30.7°C
Next 12 hours
13:00
6.6 E
0.2m
14:00
5.8 E
0.2m
15:00
5.6 E
0.2m
16:00
4.4 ENE
0.2m
17:00
4.1 ENE
0.2m
18:00
1.7 E
0.1m
19:00
2.3 SE
0.1m
20:00
4.3 SE
0.1m
21:00
4.5 SE
0.1m
22:00
5.9 SE
0.1m
23:00
8 SE
0.1m
00:00
8.2 SE
0.1m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Nightcliff ↗ (18.5 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · Van Diemen GulfIssued 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↑ 06:58↓ 18:29
Moon↑ —↓ 20:52
PhaseWaxing crescent 10%
Best windows
- Dawn06:35 – 07:58
- Dusk17:29 – 18:51
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:58↓ 18:29
Moon↑ 10:17↓ 21:58
PhaseWaxing crescent 19%
Best windows
- Dawn06:35 – 07:58
- Dusk17:29 – 18:51
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.
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