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
1.9 kt NE
Gusts 6.6 kt
Waves
0.3 m
Period 3.7 s
Swell
0.3 m
Period 2.8 s
Sea temp
30.6°C
Air 25.5°C
Next 12 hours
01:00
1.9 NE
0.3m
02:00
2.1 E
0.3m
03:00
3.2 NE
0.3m
04:00
1.8 ESE
0.3m
05:00
1.5 SE
0.3m
06:00
2.1 SE
0.3m
07:00
3 ESE
0.3m
08:00
5.2 ENE
0.3m
09:00
5.9 ENE
0.3m
10:00
6.2 ENE
0.3m
11:00
6.5 NE
0.3m
12:00
7.2 NNE
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 am CST on Wednesday 21 October 2026
Situation. A weak ridge lies across the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Top End. Winds are tending west to northwesterly through the western waters as a broad trough moves in from the west.
Wednesday 21 October until midnight. Winds: West to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots tending northwest to northeasterly in the early morning then tending west to northwesterly in the early afternoon. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Thursday 22 October. Winds: Variable about 10 knots becoming north to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots in the middle of the day then tending west to northwesterly in the early afternoon. Seas: Below 0.5 metres, increasing to below 1 metre south of Channel Point. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening.
Friday 23 October. Winds: Westerly 10 to 15 knots becoming variable about 10 knots during the morning then becoming west to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots during the day. Seas: Below 0.5 metres, increasing to below 1 metre south of Channel Point. Swell: Westerly below 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon. North Tiwi Coast: Cape Fourcroy to Cape Don
Wednesday 21 October until midnight. Winds: Easterly 10 to 15 knots turning northeasterly in the late afternoon. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: East to northeasterly below 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny.
Source: Open-Meteo Marine + ECMWF (15-min cache) · BOM (1-hr cache). Not for navigation.
Sun & moon
Today
Sun↑ 06:21↓ 18:45
Moon↑ 14:32↓ 03:14
PhaseWaxing gibbous 73%
Best windows
- Dawn05:59 – 07:21
- Dusk17:45 – 19:06
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:20↓ 18:45
Moon↑ 15:20↓ 03:52
PhaseWaxing gibbous 81%
Best windows
- Dawn05:59 – 07:20
- Dusk17:45 – 19:07
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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