Can I drive to the Abrolhos Islands?

No. The Abrolhos are 60 to 80 kilometres offshore from Geraldton with no road, no bridge and no public ferry. Access is by chartered vessel, private boat or fly-in fly-out scenic flight. Most fishing visitors take a 3 to 6 day live-aboard charter out of Geraldton.

Does the West Coast demersal closure apply at the Abrolhos?

Yes — the Abrolhos sit at the northern edge of the West Coast Bioregion and the boat-based demersal closure applies. Wilderness-specific rules also apply at the islands themselves, with tighter mixed-bag and possession limits. Check the DPIRD Abrolhos recreational fishing guide and confirm dates with your charter skipper before each trip.

What is the best time of year to fish the Abrolhos?

April to July is the traditional window — settled weather, warm Leeuwin water still pushing south, and reliable charter availability. Summer is also fishable for pelagics like Spanish mackerel and tuna but the trade winds are harder. The exact demersal closure dates vary each year and shape booking timing more than weather alone.

Are there sanctuary zones inside the Abrolhos?

Yes. Multiple sanctuary and special-purpose zones overlay the three island groups under the Houtman Abrolhos Islands National Park and the Fish Habitat Protection Area. Charter skippers know them; private boats need a current DBCA visitor map and a plotter with the zones loaded. Penalties for fishing in sanctuary are significant.

Bite Compass

Fish Activity

Houtman Abrolhos Islands (Wallabi / Easter / Pelsaert Groups)

Thu 20 Feb 2025 · Australia/Perth

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20 Feb

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📍 Houtman Abrolhos Islands (Wallabi / Easter / Pelsaert Groups)

last quarter · 52%

Weather: Unavailable Water: 25.6 °C

★★★☆☆

Medium Fish Activity

▸ Why this score?

Solunar Major window active

Water Temp 25.6°C

Moon Phase last quarter — 52%

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Activity Forecast

Feeding Windows

Best times to fish based on activity score.

Peak

4:30 pm → 7:30 pm

Good

5:00 am → 7:00 am

First light

5:45 am

Last light

7:31 pm

Sunrise

6:10 am

Sunset

7:06 pm

Moonrise

—

Moonset

12:46 pm

Low tide

3:00 am

High tide

1:00 pm

Water Temp (°C)

→ steady around 25.6°

Mon

17 Feb

25.3°

Tue

18 Feb

25.4°

Wed

19 Feb

25.5°

Thu

20 Feb

25.6°

Fri

21 Feb

25.3°

Sat

22 Feb

24.6°

Sun

23 Feb

24.5°

Mon

24 Feb

24.8°

Tue

25 Feb

25.0°

Wed

26 Feb

25.0°

Wind Map

Wind data (text)

Current wind summary unavailable — see the wind chart above the map.

Wind map data: ECMWF HRES (operational), updated every 6 hours. Not for navigation.

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