Geraldton and Dongara fishing spots

Geraldton's coast mixes reef-fringed points, surf beaches and river mouths, with tailor, mulloway, whiting and herring the everyday shore targets. Point Moore and Separation Point suit whiting and herring, the Greenough and Chapman river mouths draw mulloway, tailor and bream, and Port Denison at Dongara adds a harbour rock wall. Winter storms bring bigger tailor and mulloway; the Abrolhos Islands lie offshore.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

9 spots here, all fished from land, plus 5 public boat ramps. Seasons follow our Mid West 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

9 spots: Geraldton and Dongara
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. Coronation Beach	Beach	Land-based and boat	Ocean coast	–
2. Drummond Cove	Bay	Land-based, boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
3. Chapman River mouth (Sunset Beach)	Estuary	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
4. Point Moore	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
5. Separation Point	Headland	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
6. Tarcoola Beach	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
7. Greenough River mouth (Cape Burney)	Estuary	Land-based and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
8. S-Bend (south of Geraldton)	Rocks	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
9. Port Denison groyne (Dongara)	Breakwall	Land-based	Ocean coast	–

1. Coronation Beach

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based and boat. Shire campground and over-beach launching area about 30 km north of Geraldton.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway. Also in season: tailor and Australian herring.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Calm mornings or easterlies; strong afternoon southerlies suit windsurfers, not anglers. Faces W.
Note: The beaches from Coronation Beach north towards Oakabella produce tailor (some large) and mulloway, with whaler sharks around in summer.
Safety: Popular kite and windsurf spot: cast away from riders. Surf and rips on the open beach.
Zone: No marine park or closure found here. Guide only, not for navigation: check rules.fish.wa.gov.au.
Map: -28.55260, 114.56390 · Open in Google Maps (position: Coronation Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. Drummond Cove

Type: Bay · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based, boat and kayak. Beachside streets with parking; over-beach launching area (DoT).
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway. Also in season: yellowfin whiting, Australian herring and tailor.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Easterly or light winds; the reef takes the edge off small swells. Faces W.
Note: Reef-sheltered cove north of town: whiting and herring over the sand, tailor along the reef edge at dawn and dusk, mulloway at times.
Safety: Shallow reef: watch your footing when wading. The sea breeze builds quickly after midday.
Zone: No marine park or closure found here. Guide only, not for navigation: check rules.fish.wa.gov.au.
Map: -28.66560, 114.60140 · Open in Google Maps (position: Drummond Cove, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. Chapman River mouth (Sunset Beach)

Type: Estuary · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Suburban beach access at Bluff Point and Sunset Beach.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway. Also in season: tailor and Australian herring.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Calm or easterly evenings. Faces W.
Note: Where the Chapman meets the sea at Bluff Point: tailor and mulloway, mostly after dark, with herring by day.
Safety: The mouth sandbar shifts; avoid wading the channel when it is flowing.
Zone: No marine park or closure found here. Guide only, not for navigation: check rules.fish.wa.gov.au.
Map: -28.72860, 114.61970 · Open in Google Maps (position: Chapman River, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Point Moore

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Sealed road to the Point Moore lighthouse precinct; park near the beach.
What's good here: In season in October: yellowfin whiting, Australian herring, tarwhine and tailor.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Easterly (offshore) mornings; it is exposed in strong south-westerlies. Faces WSW.
Note: Sand and reef around the lighthouse point west of the city: whiting and herring on the sand patches, silver bream (tarwhine) near the reef. An osprey nest pole is here: give it room.
Safety: Reef edges wash in swell. Keep clear of the nesting osprey pole.
Zone: No marine park or closure found here. Guide only, not for navigation: check rules.fish.wa.gov.au.
Map: -28.78470, 114.57580 · Open in Google Maps (position: Point Moore, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Separation Point

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Car park at the point on the southern side of the city.
What's good here: In season in October: yellowfin whiting, Australian herring, tarwhine and tailor.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Calm or easterly conditions. Faces WSW.
Note: Reef point and surf break south of Point Moore: whiting, herring and silver bream, with tailor in the washes early and late.
Safety: Surfers use the break: cast away from them. Swell surges over the reef platform.
Zone: No marine park or closure found here. Guide only, not for navigation: check rules.fish.wa.gov.au.
Map: -28.79040, 114.59670 · Open in Google Maps (position: Separation Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. Tarcoola Beach

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Suburban beach south of the city with car parks.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway. Also in season: tailor, yellowfin whiting and Australian herring.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Light easterlies; afternoon southerlies blow it out. Faces W.
Note: Popular southern-suburbs beach for tailor and mulloway in the gutters at dusk and after dark, and whiting and herring by day.
Safety: Rips form in the gutters. Strong afternoon sea breeze.
Zone: No marine park or closure found here. Guide only, not for navigation: check rules.fish.wa.gov.au.
Map: -28.81010, 114.62090 · Open in Google Maps (position: Tarcoola Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

7. Greenough River mouth (Cape Burney)

Type: Estuary · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and kayak. Cape Burney, about 10 km south of the city; parking at the mouth; over-beach launching nearby (DoT).
What's good here: Peak in October: black bream and mulloway. Also in season: tailor, Australian herring and yellowfin whiting.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Easterly mornings; the river reach is a fallback in wind. Faces WSW.
Note: One of Geraldton's most popular shore spots: bream and mulloway in the river reach, tailor, herring and whiting around the mouth and beach.
Safety: The mouth opens and closes: strong outflow when open. Swell surges onto Greenough Reef.
Zone: No marine park or closure found here. Guide only, not for navigation: check rules.fish.wa.gov.au.
Map: -28.86000, 114.63450 · Open in Google Maps (position: Greenough River Mouth Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

8. S-Bend (south of Geraldton)

Type: Rocks · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Sand tracks off the coast south of Geraldton; a 4WD makes access much easier.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway. Also in season: tailor and pink snapper. Now and then: WA dhufish.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Calm days with easterly winds and little swell. Faces WSW.
Note: Rugged reef-and-sand coast where land-based anglers take tailor and mulloway, and now and then dhufish off the deeper ledges. Shore demersal bag is 2 (dhufish 1 in the mix).
Safety: Remote 4WD coast with soft sand. Wave-washed ledges: wear a lifejacket and never turn your back on the sea.
Zone: No marine park or closure found here. Guide only, not for navigation: check rules.fish.wa.gov.au.
Map: -28.99430, 114.75860 · Open in Google Maps (position: S Bend Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

9. Port Denison groyne (Dongara)

Type: Breakwall · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Fishing platform on the harbour groyne at Port Denison; parking at the harbour.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway. Also in season: tailor and Australian herring. Now and then: WA dhufish.
Best tide: Not confirmed for this spot yet.
Best wind: Calm or easterly conditions; avoid big westerly swell. Faces W.
Note: The marina rock wall and groyne platform at Port Denison: tailor and herring most of the year, mulloway at night, and occasional dhufish from the rock wall.
Safety: Rock wall: slippery, and swell can surge over the outer side. Keep clear of boats entering the harbour.
Zone: No marine park or closure found here. Guide only, not for navigation: check rules.fish.wa.gov.au.
Map: -29.27080, 114.92060 · Open in Google Maps (position: Groyne Fishing Platform, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

5 public boat ramps are listed for Geraldton and Dongara, with positions from Public Boat Ramps (DOT-033). Lanes, parking and tide access are as the data says: check them on the day.

Boat ramps: Geraldton and Dongara
Ramp	Notes	Position
Drummond Cove over-beach launching	Unsealed over-beach launching (DoT data); small boats and calm days only.	-28.67084, 114.61196 Google Maps
Pages Beach over-beach launching	Over-beach launching near Point Moore (DoT data).	-28.77701, 114.58323 Google Maps
Greenough River over-beach launching	Over-beach launching near the river mouth (DoT data); surf and bar conditions vary.	-28.86286, 114.63739 Google Maps
Port Denison town boat ramp	Sealed, 2 lanes, 2 finger jetties (DoT data), inside the harbour.	-29.27513, 114.91856 Google Maps
Port Denison marina boat ramp	Sealed, 1 lane, 1 finger jetty (DoT data).	-29.27109, 114.92097 Google Maps

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Geraldton and Dongara in October: mulloway and black bream. Of the 19 species our Mid West list has for this part of the coast, 2 peak in October 2026 and 11 more are in season.

Peak in October: mulloway and black bream.

Also in season: tailor, Australian herring, yellowfin whiting, tarwhine, pink snapper, silver trevally, school whiting, southern calamari, samsonfish, yellowtail kingfish and Spanish mackerel.

Closed now for some fishing only: pink snapper (closed to boat and kayak fishing, until spring 2027).

Out of season in October: mahi mahi (best Jan–Apr).

Seen now and then, so not rated: WA dhufish, King George whiting, Western Australian salmon, southern bluespotted flathead and blue swimmer crab.

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 fishing. Recreational Fishing from Boat Licence (RFBL) for any fishing from or using a powered boat: $40/yr, half price concession (DPIRD, Oct 2026). Separate $50 licences for rock lobster, abalone and netting. Licence details. Size and bag limits and closed seasons apply: Western Australia's limits (checked 9 Oct 2026).

Rules at Geraldton and Dongara

West Coast demersal closure (16 Dec 2025 until DPIRD reopens it, planned spring 2027): no demersal scalefish (pink snapper, dhufish, baldchin, cods etc.) from boats or kayaks; shore and jetty line fishing stays open, mixed bag 2.
Pink snapper minimum size is 41 cm north of Lancelin.
Houtman Abrolhos Islands FHPA (offshore): notify DPIRD before visiting by boat; special bag limits and a baldchin closure 1 Oct-31 Dec.

Marine parks and no-take zones

Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.

Safety at Geraldton and Dongara

Winter fronts bring big swell: stay off wave-washed reef and rock walls.
Whaler sharks are common in summer: take care when wading.
Offshore trips to the Abrolhos need a capable boat and planning.

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

Kalbarri (about 128 km north-west)
Jurien Bay, Cervantes and Green Head (about 166 km south)
Lancelin, Ledge Point and Guilderton (about 269 km south)
Shark Bay and Denham (about 341 km north)

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: visitgeraldton.com.au (City of Greater Geraldton visitor site: Point Moore, Separation Point, Greenough River mouth, Tarcoola Beach and Drummond Cove species); geraldtonguardian.com.au (Local fishing report: Coronation Beach to Oakabella, beaches south of town, rock walls); haveagonews.com.au (S-Bend (4WD, dhufish from shore) and Port Denison marina rock wall); wa.gov.au (Abrolhos Islands FHPA order); wa.gov.au (Prohibition on Fishing for Demersal Scalefish Order 2025: boat closure in the West Coast Region, shore line fishing exempt); dpird.wa.gov.au (DPIRD bag and size limits (pink snapper size zones, crab limits)); public-services.slip.wa.gov.au (DPIRD Fisheries Guide map service (DPIRD-061 consolidated notices and orders): closure, marine park order and FHPA polygons used for the zone check); catalogue.data.wa.gov.au (WA Department of Transport Public Boat Ramps (DOT-033), CC BY 4.0: ramp coordinates, lanes and finger jetties).
Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.