Which side of the cape do I fish?

Depends on the wind. Easterlies make the western lagoon and Tantabiddi calm; westerlies make the Exmouth Gulf and Bundegi calm. Most trips fish both sides over a week. The Gulf is more sheltered and shallower; the western side has the reef, the cliffs and the pelagic action.

Are there crocodiles in Exmouth?

No. Saltwater crocodile range in WA starts north of here — around Onslow and into the Pilbara and Kimberley. The relevant predator at Exmouth is sharks, particularly bronze whalers and tigers, which are common around hooked fish and in the lagoon.

Can I target billfish from a small boat?

Tantabiddi is one of the few places in the country where you can be in 100m of water within minutes of the ramp, and sailfish are the realistic small-boat target between September and January. Marlin are usually a bigger-boat proposition. Charter operators run from the marina and Tantabiddi if you don't have your own gear.

Does the West Coast demersal closure apply at Exmouth?

No — Exmouth is in the Gascoyne Coast Bioregion, well north of the Kalbarri boundary. Gascoyne demersal rules apply: a 5-fish mixed bag, emperors capped at 3, plus species-specific size and bag limits. The Ningaloo Marine Park zoning overlays additional restrictions including sanctuary (no-take) zones. Always verify current DPIRD and DBCA rules before a trip.

Bite Compass

Fish Activity

Exmouth (North Ningaloo / North West Cape)

Thu 21 May 2026 · Australia/Perth

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📍 Exmouth (North Ningaloo / North West Cape)

waxing crescent · 21%

Weather: Sunny Wind: SE 154° · 18 km/h

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Low Fish Activity

▸ Why this score?

Wind SE 18 km/h — Moderate

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Water Temp —

Moon Phase waxing crescent — 21%

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Activity Forecast

Feeding Windows

Best times to fish based on activity score.

Peak

5:30 pm → 7:00 pm

1h 30m

Sunrise

7:50 am

Sunset

6:49 pm

Moonrise

12:22 pm

Moonset

11:29 pm

Hourly Wind

High Bite Hours Highlighted