From a half day to a full day on Darwin's offshore grounds chasing mackerel, tuna, coral trout, and trophy reef species. Purpose-built vessel, serious gear, experienced crew.
Early start from Stokes Hill Wharf, running out past the harbour to the offshore reefs, shoals, and FADs that hold the big fish. Our skippers read the tides and conditions daily — every trip goes where the fish are, not where the brochure says.
You might be jigging on a reef system one day and trolling for mackerel the next. All gear, tackle, bait, and ice provided — along with food for the day. Just bring your hat, sunscreen, and any beers or drinks you'd like, and we'll bring the rest and put you on the fish.
Shared half-day charter from $365 per person. Half day or full day available. All gear, tackle, bait, and ice included.
Darwin's offshore country is a patchwork of reef systems, rocky shoals, sand drop-offs and floating FADs scattered across the Timor and Arafura Sea approaches. Each one fishes differently, and each one fires on a different stage of the tide. The run out from Stokes Hill Wharf takes the better part of an hour, steaming past the harbour heads into open blue water.
We don't fish to a fixed itinerary. The skipper picks the grounds on the morning — reading the tide height, the wind, the swell and what's been biting through the week. Some days that's bottom-bouncing a reef edge; other days it's trolling the shoals for mackerel or shadowing the bird life over a tuna school. The plan follows the fish.
Quality rods, reels, tackle, bait, and ice
A full day on the offshore grounds, tide dependent
Small groups for serious fishing
1,000+ charters of experience
The Top End runs on two big seasons — the Wet and the Dry — with the run-off and the build-up either side. Fish move with them. Here's roughly what we're chasing offshore through the year. Nothing's guaranteed; the ocean writes its own rules.
Skirted and diving lures worked over the shoals and reef edges for Spanish mackerel, tuna, cobia and the odd mahi mahi.
Dropping baits and soft-vibe jigs onto reef country in 15 to 50 metres for black jewfish, golden snapper, coral trout, red emperor and big reef cod.
Casting stickbaits and poppers at surface-feeding tuna and chasing down whatever the bird life puts us onto.
Not at all. The crew rig everything, teach you the techniques and stay hands-on all day. Plenty of first-timers land their best-ever fish with us, while keen anglers get pointed straight at the big fish.
A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a light rain jacket in the Wet, soft-soled shoes, and any drinks you'd like to bring along. We supply all rods, reels, tackle, bait, ice and food for the day — you just bring yourself.
Offshore water can carry a swell. If you're prone to it, take seasickness tablets the night before and again on the morning of the trip. Calm mornings are common through the Dry, and the skipper picks the most comfortable grounds for the conditions on the day.
Your catch is filleted and bagged to take home, within NT bag and size limits. Want it cooked for you that same night? Ask us about the Catch, Cook & Cruise — your fish becomes dinner aboard the Cape Adieu.
Safety comes first, always. If conditions are unsafe the skipper will reschedule or refund in line with our booking terms. Where we can, we make that call the day before so you're not left guessing.
Up to 6 guests on a shared full-day charter, so everyone gets room to fish and time with the crew. Want the boat to yourselves? Ask about a private charter for your group.