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
7.9 kt ESE
Gusts 18.8 kt
Waves
0.3 m
Period 4.1 s
Swell
0.3 m
Period 4 s
Sea temp
25.9°C
Air 26.2°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
7.9 ESE
0.3m
11:00
6.8 ESE
0.3m
12:00
6.2 ESE
0.3m
13:00
5.9 ESE
0.3m
14:00
6.3 ESE
0.3m
15:00
5.5 ESE
0.3m
16:00
6 ESE
0.3m
17:00
6.6 ESE
0.3m
18:00
3.8 ESE
0.3m
19:00
1.8 ESE
0.3m
20:00
1.5 ESE
0.3m
21:00
1.2 SSE
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 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↑ 07:08↓ 18:41
Moon↑ 12:04↓ 00:51
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
- Dawn06:46 – 08:08
- Dusk17:41 – 19:03
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 07:08↓ 18:41
Moon↑ 12:43↓ 01:41
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
- Dawn06:46 – 08:08
- Dusk17:41 – 19:03
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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