Wessel Islands
Reef·Northern Territory·Australia·
Field notes
Long chain of remote islands off north-east Arnhem Land, accessed only by mothership or charter with Northern Land Council permits. Reef bottom of red emperor, golden snapper, large-mouth nannygai and coral trout; pelagic surface action for Spanish mackerel and tuna.
Current conditions
Wind
9.6 kt E
Gusts 13.6 kt
Waves
0.5 m
Period 3.7 s
Swell
0.3 m
Period 3.1 s
Sea temp
27.9°C
Air 26.8°C
Next 12 hours
01:00
9.6 E
0.5m
02:00
9.4 E
0.5m
03:00
11.1 E
0.4m
04:00
10.7 E
0.5m
05:00
12.5 E
0.5m
06:00
13.9 E
0.5m
07:00
13.5 ENE
0.5m
08:00
13.4 E
0.6m
09:00
13 E
0.6m
10:00
13.7 E
0.6m
11:00
14.7 E
0.6m
12:00
14.5 E
0.6m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Guluwuru Island ↗ (7.8 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · Gove Peninsula 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↑ 05:58↓ 18:22
Moon↑ 14:09↓ 02:50
PhaseWaxing gibbous 73%
Best windows
- Dawn05:36 – 06:58
- Dusk17:22 – 18:44
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 05:57↓ 18:22
Moon↑ 14:56↓ 03:29
PhaseWaxing gibbous 81%
Best windows
- Dawn05:36 – 06:57
- Dusk17:22 – 18:44
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
Northern Territory, 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 Northern Territory fisheries regulator before fishing.
Closures
Always confirm current marine park / closure status and seasonal bag limits.
Saved.
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