Exmouth and Exmouth Gulf fishing spots
Exmouth sits at the tip of North West Cape between two very different waters: Ningaloo Reef and the open ocean on the west, and the shallow, mangrove-lined Exmouth Gulf on the east. Gulf beaches, creeks and the marina give whiting, bream, jacks, queenfish and trevally; the gulf shoals hold mackerel and tuna; and boats out of Tantabiddi chase marlin and sailfish.
Updated
6 spots here: 4 fished from land and 2 reached only by boat, plus 4 public boat ramps. Seasons follow our Gascoyne coast species list for Western Australia. Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.
Under each spot, "Forecast for this spot" opens the app's forecast worked out for that spot: Go, Marginal or No-go for each day of the week ahead, with the best times, wind, waves and tide. Open the forecast.
Spots at a glance
| Spot | Type | Fished from | Water | Marine park |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Exmouth Town Beach | Beach | Land-based | Bay, estuary or river | – |
| 2. Exmouth Marina (northern breakwall) | Breakwall | Land-based | Bay, estuary or river | – |
| 3. Bundegi beach and reef | Beach | Land-based and boat | Bay, estuary or river | Ningaloo Marine Park; no-take zone nearby |
| 4. Exmouth Gulf shoals (boat) | Bay | Boat | Bay, estuary or river | – |
| 5. Bay of Rest | Bay | Land-based and kayak | Bay, estuary or river | – |
| 6. Tantabiddi (offshore boat) | Channel | Boat | Offshore | Ningaloo Marine Park; no-take zone nearby |
1. Exmouth Town Beach
- Type
- Beach · bay, estuary or river
- Access
- Land-based. In town beside the marina; park and walk the beach.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: whiting, queenfish and trevally. Also in season: western yellowfin bream.
- Best tide
- High tide; in winter an early-morning high is best for whiting.
- Best wind
- Westerlies (offshore); choppy in strong easterlies. Faces E.
- Note
- Walk the gulf beach on the top half of the tide with prawn or small lures for whiting, keeping a stickbait handy for passing queenfish and trevally.
- Safety
- Stonefish and rays in the shallows: wear shoes.
- Zone
- Not in a marine park; a whole-of-gulf Exmouth Gulf Marine Park is proposed (zoning not in force, Oct 2026) Guide only, not for navigation: check dbca.wa.gov.au.
- Map
- -21.95040, 114.13890 · Open in Google Maps (position: Town Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
2. Exmouth Marina (northern breakwall)
- Type
- Breakwall · bay, estuary or river
- Access
- Land-based. At the marina just south of town; walk out along the northern wall.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: queenfish, trevally and estuary cod. Also in season: western yellowfin bream and mangrove jack.
- Best tide
- Not confirmed for this spot yet.
- Best wind
- Westerlies; the outer wall gets choppy in easterlies. Faces E.
- Note
- Start at the end of the northern breakwall: queenfish and trevally hunt bait at the entrance, with bream, cod and the odd jack along the rocks and canals. Bigger queenies come off the outer walls.
- Safety
- Keep off the pens and ramp jetties and clear of boats. Large slippery rocks on the walls.
- Zone
- Not in a marine park; Exmouth Gulf Marine Park is proposed Guide only, not for navigation: check dbca.wa.gov.au.
- Map
- -21.95510, 114.13830 · Open in Google Maps (position: Exmouth Boat Harbour, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
3. Bundegi beach and reef
- Type
- Beach · bay, estuary or river
- Access
- Land-based and boat. About 13 km north of town beside the Bundegi boat ramp.
- Best tide
- Not confirmed for this spot yet.
- Best wind
- Westerlies (offshore) and light winds; exposed to easterlies. Faces ESE.
- Note
- Sheltered beach and fringing reef on the gulf side near the ramp: golden trevally and queenfish from the shore, squid over the weed and reef. Stay north of the Bundegi Sanctuary Zone.
- Safety
- Boat traffic off the ramp.
- Zone
- No-take zone nearby. Recreation zone; Bundegi Sanctuary Zone starts about 1 km south (south of about 21 51.3 S); the Navy Pier at Point Murat is also a sanctuary zone Guide only, not for navigation: check exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au.
- Map
- -21.84640, 114.16940 · Open in Google Maps (position: Bundegi Inner Reef, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
4. Exmouth Gulf shoals (boat)
- Type
- Bay · bay, estuary or river
- Access
- Boat. Launch at the Exmouth marina; much of the gulf is very shallow, so navigate carefully.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: queenfish, trevally, longtail tuna and spangled emperor. Also in season: Spanish mackerel, school mackerel and coral trout.
- Best tide
- Not confirmed for this spot yet.
- Best wind
- Light winds; the shallow gulf turns into short, sharp chop in a fresh breeze.
- Note
- Look for surface bust-ups over the shoals for golden trevally, mackerel and tuna, and bottom-fish the lumps for trout, emperor and cod. Sailfish push into the gulf late in the year.
- Safety
- Shallow shoals and sandbars appear on low tides. EPIRB and marine radio.
- Zone
- Proposed Exmouth Gulf Marine Park: zoning not yet in force (Oct 2026) - recheck before each trip Guide only, not for navigation: check dbca.wa.gov.au.
- Map
- -22.09650, 114.16550 · Open in Google Maps (position: Bennett Shoal, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
5. Bay of Rest
- Type
- Bay · bay, estuary or river
- Access
- Land-based and kayak. South of Learmonth in the gulf's south-west corner; check tracks locally.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: mud crab and estuary cod. Also in season: mangrove jack.
- Best tide
- Not confirmed for this spot yet.
- Best wind
- Not confirmed for this spot yet.
- Note
- Mangrove-lined bay where shore anglers cast lures tight to the mangroves and rock edges for jacks and set legal crab gear for muddies. Jacks fire up in the warmer months.
- Safety
- Stonefish in the creeks: wear sturdy shoes. Crocodiles are rare this far south but possible: stay back from the edge.
- Zone
- Proposed Exmouth Gulf Marine Park: zoning not yet in force (Oct 2026) Guide only, not for navigation: check dbca.wa.gov.au.
- Map
- -22.30900, 114.13780 · Open in Google Maps (position: Bay of Rest, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
6. Tantabiddi (offshore boat)
- Type
- Channel · offshore (boat)
- Access
- Boat. Launch at the Tantabiddi ramp on the cape's west coast.
- What's good here
- Peak in October: marlin, sailfish, spangled emperor and trevally. Also in season: Spanish mackerel and goldband snapper.
- Best tide
- Not confirmed for this spot yet.
- Best wind
- Light easterlies and calm mornings; the passage is dangerous in a big swell.
- Note
- Short run through the passage to deep water: troll for black, blue and striped marlin, sailfish and mackerel along the drop-off and FADs; deep-drop for goldband. Inside the reef holds emperor and trevally.
- Safety
- Breaking swell on the reef passage. EPIRB and marine radio offshore.
- Zone
- No-take zone nearby. Recreation zone at the passage; Tantabiddi Sanctuary Zone about 2 km south; no spearfishing from Tantabiddi Well to Winderabandi Point; Commonwealth Ningaloo Marine Park offshore Guide only, not for navigation: check exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au.
- Map
- -21.88750, 113.96250 · Open in Google Maps (position: Tantabiddi Passage, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
- Forecast
- Forecast for this spot
Boat ramps
4 public boat ramps are listed for Exmouth and Exmouth Gulf, with positions from Public Boat Ramps (DOT-033). Lanes, parking and tide access are as the data says: check them on the day.
| Ramp | Notes | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Exmouth marina boat ramp | Sealed, 2 lanes, 2 finger jetties, about 100 trailer bays; 5-knot limit in the harbour. | -21.95569, 114.13938 Google Maps |
| Exmouth town ramp | Unsealed single lane, about 20 trailer bays. | -21.94788, 114.13933 Google Maps |
| Bundegi boat ramp | Sealed single lane with over-beach launching, about 50 trailer bays; access to the reef and Muiron Islands. | -21.83091, 114.17333 Google Maps |
| Tantabiddi boat ramp | Sealed, 2 lanes, 2 finger jetties, about 100 trailer bays; west-coast access to the outer reef. Sand can build up on the ramp. | -21.91256, 113.97818 Google Maps |
What's biting here in October?
In peak season at Exmouth and Exmouth Gulf in October: trevally, queenfish, estuary cod, spangled emperor and 7 more. Of the 27 species our Gascoyne coast list has for this part of the coast, 11 peak in October 2026 and 13 more are in season.
Peak in October: trevally, queenfish, estuary cod, spangled emperor, whiting, longtail tuna, sailfish, marlin, mud crab, squid and cobia.
Also in season: mangrove jack, western yellowfin bream, Spanish mackerel, school mackerel, coral trout, goldband snapper, pikey bream, red emperor, Rankin cod, pink snapper, tailor, mulloway and blue swimmer crab.
Seen now and then, so not rated: barramundi, king threadfin and golden snapper.
Seasons are closure-aware: a species is never listed as in season, for the area or at a spot, while it is closed there; a closure for part of the area says where. Species links go to our South East Queensland species guides, with Queensland's limits: Western Australia's own size and bag limits are on the official rules page.
Can you fish here? Rules and safety
No licence for shore-based line fishing. Any fishing from a powered boat (incl. crabbing, squid, catch and release) needs a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence: $40/yr, half price concession incl. under 16 (DPIRD, Oct 2026). Licence details. Size and bag limits and closed seasons apply: Western Australia's limits (checked 9 Oct 2026).
Rules at Exmouth and Exmouth Gulf
- Ningaloo Marine Park: no fishing in sanctuary zones; shore-based zones allow line fishing from the shore only; no spearfishing from Tantabiddi Well to Winderabandi Point.
- Muiron Islands Marine Management Area: no fishing in the conservation areas.
- Exmouth Gulf Marine Park is proposed (30 per cent sanctuary planned); no zoning in force as of Oct 2026.
- Powered boats need a Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence; Gascoyne demersal bag is 4 per person from 1 Jun 2026.
Marine parks and no-take zones
The zone notes here name Ningaloo Marine Park. A no-take zone starts close to Bundegi beach and reef and Tantabiddi (offshore boat): each one's zone note says where. Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.
Safety at Exmouth and Exmouth Gulf
- Irukandji stings occur around Exmouth and northern Ningaloo (Exmouth Hospital sees about five suspected cases a year).
- Estuarine crocodiles range south to the Exmouth area: be croc-aware around gulf creeks.
- Stonefish in creeks and shallows; sharks around the marina and boat ramps.
- Learmonth Jetty has been closed since October 2025 because of structural damage: stay off it.
- Marine stingers (box jellyfish and irukandji) can be in these waters, mostly in the warmer months: cover up if you wade or swim, and carry vinegar. More.
Western Australia: official links
Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: WA coastal and local waters forecast map and current warnings.
Boating: Western Australia boating safety and lifejacket rules. Lifejackets: Powered boats <4.8m: everyone wears L100+ when >400m offshore in unprotected waters. >=4.8m there: children 1-12 wear L100+. PWC: always. Paddle craft <4.8m: wear L50S+ >400m offshore.
Heading out on the water? Log on and off with Marine Rescue WA (Volunteer Marine Rescue Service, DFES). Log on and off by marine radio with the local marine rescue group every trip, or use the Log on Log off (LOLO) feature in the DECKEE app, which notifies Marine Rescue WA.
Marine parks and closed areas: DPIRD - marine protected areas and fishing, WA recreational fishing rules site (interactive MPA maps) and Australian Marine Parks (North-west and South-west networks).
- Water Police HF watch: Water Police monitor HF 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz 24/7; VHF 16/67 Perth metro only. More.
Western Australia's official rules: size and bag limits and closed seasons and areas (checked 9 Oct 2026).
Emergency: 000 (112 from mobiles) · VHF channel 16 for distress.
Nearby fishing areas
- Onslow and Mackerel Islands (about 109 km east)
- Coral Bay (about 138 km south)
- Dampier and Karratha (about 325 km north-east)
- Carnarvon (about 330 km south)
Distances are between the middle of each area. Every area in Western Australia · all fishing spot guides.
Sources and checked dates
- Spot and ramp positions: Composite Gazetteer of Australia (Geoscience Australia and the state and territory naming authorities), CC BY 4.0, ABS Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 (2021) (Australian Bureau of Statistics), CC BY 4.0 and Public Boat Ramps (DOT-033) (Western Australian Department of Transport), CC BY 4.0; gazetteer and ABS positions through our place index. Guide only, not for navigation.
- Spot research checked 9 Oct 2026 and fact-checked 9 Oct 2026; species seasons and rules checked 9 Oct 2026; safety links checked 9 Oct 2026. Text in our own words.
- Research sources: catalogue.data.wa.gov.au (Boat ramp coordinates, lanes, finger jetties and trailer bays (WA DoT Public Boat Ramps DOT-033, CC BY 4.0)); public-services.slip.wa.gov.au (DPIRD Fisheries Guide polygons (DPIRD-061): every spot was tested against sanctuary, fishing-prohibition and FHPA areas); public-services.slip.wa.gov.au (DBCA Legislated Lands and Waters (DBCA-011): which marine park each spot sits in); recfishwest.org.au (Gulf species, marina, beaches near town, Tantabiddi billfish and FADs); recfishwest.org.au (Bay of Rest jacks and crabs, Old Bundegi, marina walls, gulf shoals); giftcards.tackleworld.com.au (Whiting on high tide along gulf beaches; billfish grounds (Tackle World Exmouth, 2018)); exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au (Ningaloo zones, Bundegi sanctuary boundary, irukandji records, spearfishing rules); exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au (Ningaloo coast zoning map); pilbaranews.com.au (Irukandji stings at Exmouth and northern Ningaloo; larger jellyfish seen to Coral Bay (2017)); dbca.wa.gov.au (Exmouth Gulf Marine Park status (proposed, draft zoning due late 2026)); exmouth.wa.gov.au (Sand build-up and clearing at the Tantabiddi ramp); exmouth.wa.gov.au (Learmonth Jetty closure notice); dbca.wa.gov.au (Crocodile range and safety advice).
- Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.