West Island

Shoal·Northern Territory·Australia

Field notes

Westernmost of the Pellew Group, closest to the McArthur mouth. Fishes well on the run-off for barra working the bait pushed off the river plume, plus a strong inshore reef fishery for snapper and jewfish.

Current conditions

Wind
5.7 kt SE
Gusts 13.8 kt
Waves
0.2 m
Period 3.5 s
Swell
0.1 m
Period 3.8 s
Sea temp
22.8°C
Air 25.4°C
Next 12 hours
10:00
5.7 SE
0.2m
11:00
8.2 ESE
0.2m
12:00
8.6 ESE
0.2m
13:00
7.7 E
0.2m
14:00
7.6 E
0.2m
15:00
7.8 E
0.2m
16:00
8.7 E
0.2m
17:00
8.6 E
0.2m
18:00
7.2 E
0.2m
19:00
6.6 ESE
0.2m
20:00
5.9 ESE
0.2m
21:00
5.3 E
0.2m
Tides
Nearest BOM tide station: Centre Island ↗ (17.5 km · secondary)
We don't predict tides on-site — BOM's published tables are authoritative.
BOM · Roper Groote 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↑ 06:51↓ 18:10
Moon↑ 11:35↓ 00:32
PhaseFirst quarter 49%
Best windows
  • Dawn06:28 – 07:51
  • Dusk17:10 – 18:33
Tomorrow
Sun↑ 06:50↓ 18:10
Moon↑ 12:13↓ 01:24
PhaseFirst quarter 59%
Best windows
  • Dawn06:28 – 07:50
  • Dusk17:10 – 18:33
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
Shoal
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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