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
16 kt SE
Gusts 20.8 kt
Waves
0.7 m
Period 3.5 s
Swell
0.2 m
Period 4 s
Sea temp
25°C
Air 24.8°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
16 SE
0.7m
11:00
16.4 SE
0.7m
12:00
16.4 SE
0.6m
13:00
17.1 SE
0.6m
14:00
17.6 ESE
0.7m
15:00
16.7 ESE
0.7m
16:00
15.8 ESE
0.7m
17:00
15.3 ESE
0.7m
18:00
17 ESE
0.8m
19:00
17.4 ESE
0.8m
20:00
16.6 ESE
0.7m
21:00
16.4 ESE
0.7m
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 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↑ 06:45↓ 18:17
Moon↑ 11:40↓ 00:29
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
  • Dawn06:23 – 07:45
  • Dusk17:17 – 18:40
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:45↓ 18:18
Moon↑ 12:20↓ 01:18
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
  • Dawn06:23 – 07:45
  • Dusk17:18 – 18:40
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.

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