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Snake Bay (Melville)
Bay·Northern Territory·Australia·
Field notes
North-coast bay of Melville Island near Milikapiti community, charter-fished out of Tiwi lodges. Inshore rubble and creek mouths produce golden snapper, black jewfish and barra; outside holds Spanish mackerel and longtail tuna. Tiwi permit and lodge bookings required.
Current conditions
Wind
5.2 kt ESE
Gusts 22.6 kt
Waves
0.3 m
Period 3.7 s
Swell
0.2 m
Period 3.1 s
Sea temp
29.4°C
Air 26.2°C
Next 12 hours
14:00
5.2 ESE
0.3m
15:00
2.1 ESE
0.3m
16:00
2.2 ENE
0.3m
17:00
3.9 NE
0.3m
18:00
3.7 NE
0.3m
19:00
2.9 E
0.3m
20:00
2.3 SE
0.3m
21:00
1.7 SSE
0.3m
22:00
2.5 SSE
0.3m
23:00
6.9 SSE
0.3m
00:00
7.3 ESE
0.3m
01:00
6.3 SE
0.3m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Snake Bay ↗ (2.6 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↑ 06:58↓ 18:32
Moon↑ —↓ 20:56
PhaseWaxing crescent 10%
Best windows
- Dawn06:35 – 07:58
- Dusk17:32 – 18:54
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:58↓ 18:32
Moon↑ 10:17↓ 22:02
PhaseWaxing crescent 19%
Best windows
- Dawn06:36 – 07:58
- Dusk17:32 – 18:54
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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