The Banks (12 Mile Reef)
Reef·New South Wales·Australia·
Field notes
Broken reef system 12nm east of Sydney Heads in 60-90m. Reliable snapper and flathead ground, with kingfish on the high spots in summer. Drift fishing with pilchards or soft plastics works the structure. Sounder essential to find the productive bommies.
Current conditions
Wind
14.9 kt NNE
Gusts 20.6 kt
Waves
1.3 m
Period 6.4 s
Swell
0.8 m
Period 4.9 s
Sea temp
20.4°C
Air 20.6°C
Next 12 hours
01:00
14.9 NNE
1.3m
02:00
14.6 NNE
1.3m
03:00
13.1 N
1.3m
04:00
11.8 N
1.3m
05:00
11.2 NNE
1.3m
06:00
11 NNE
1.3m
07:00
11.7 NE
1.2m
08:00
15.4 NE
1.2m
09:00
9.1 NE
1.2m
10:00
7.9 ENE
1.2m
11:00
8.6 NE
1.2m
12:00
9 NE
1.2m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Camp Cove ↗ (23.5 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · Sydney CoastIssued at 10:00 am EDT on Wednesday 21 October 2026
Situation. A strong high pressure system over the Tasman Sea is maintaining northeasterly winds across the coastal waters. Very little change of weather pattern is forecast through the week due to the slow movement of the high. Then, a cold front looks set to cross the state during the weekend into early next week, bringing a southerly change in its wake.
Wednesday 21 October until midnight. Winds: Northeasterly 10 to 15 knots, reaching up to 20 knots offshore in the evening. Seas: Below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore by early evening. Swell: Northeasterly around 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm offshore in the evening.
Thursday 22 October. Winds: Northeasterly 15 to 25 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres during the morning. Swell: Northeasterly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore. Weather: Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Friday 23 October. Winds: Northeasterly 20 to 25 knots. Seas: 1.5 to 2 metres. Swell: Northeasterly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore. Weather: Partly cloudy. 70% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon.
Source: Open-Meteo Marine + ECMWF (15-min cache) · BOM (1-hr cache). Not for navigation.
Sun & moon
Today
Sun↑ 06:07↓ 19:12
Moon↑ 14:10↓ 03:38
PhaseWaxing gibbous 73%
Best windows
- Dawn05:41 – 07:07
- Dusk18:12 – 19:38
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:05↓ 19:13
Moon↑ 15:10↓ 04:04
PhaseWaxing gibbous 81%
Best windows
- Dawn05:40 – 07:05
- Dusk18:13 – 19:39
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
Reef
Region
New South Wales, Australia
Fishing style
offshore and bluewater fishing
Structure
Typically holds bommies and drop-offs — work the structure for holding fish.
Licence
Recreational fishing licence may apply — check the New South Wales fisheries regulator before fishing.
Closures
Always confirm current marine park / closure status and seasonal bag limits.
Saved.
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