5 Best Fishing Charters In & Around Darwin

June 14, 2024
A black and white silhouette of a wave on a white background.

Darwin is surrounded by an abundance of spectacular natural wonders. The tropical city, the beacon of the Top End, is a premier base for single and multi-day adventures, especially of the fishing kind.


The Darwin Harbor and its surroundings feature incredible scenery. Cozy bays lead to gorgeous wetlands and, eventually, the open sea. While waterways guide down rolling rivers toward pristine national parks and remote destinations.


For those who love to fish, this means epic bluewater and freshwater angling when you stay at a Zen Luxury Retreat. We aren’t the only ones who think so, as there are dozens of charters waiting to take you out for a day – or three!

About Fishing Charters In & Around Darwin

A Boat With Fishing Rods Attached to It is in the Water — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT

Photo Credit: James R. Martin

The greater Darwin region is a paradise for anglers. Seas surround the Northern Territory capital and sits on a lengthy, breathtaking peninsula.


Yep, you’ve got the Darwin Harbour, the scene for some amazing sunset cruises. A quick ride from Cullen Bay or Stokes Hill Wharf will have you fishing for barra in minutes. But thanks to sprawling estuaries, the harbour is much larger than Sydney’s. Not only will you find golden snapper and more, but these waters are the location of sunken warships.


The Darwin Harbour is just the beginning, however. The mangrove creeks and inlets of Bynoe Harbour will soon call your name. So, too, the islands and reefs along the Dundee Coast. Those who prefer the inland can meander down the Adelaide River, not only for great fishing but to see more of the Northern Territory’s famous landscapes.


With so many places to go and routes to take, leave it to the best of Darwin’s fishing charters to help you have a great day out.

Darwin Fishing Charter Companies

Darwin Harbour Fishing Charters

A Boat With Fishing Rods Attached to It is in the Water — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT


The Darwin Harbour is always a great spot to start your fishing charter adventure in the Top End. With Darwin Harbour Fishing Charters, you can be fishing within 20 minutes.


With such a brief journey from dock to sea, the standard charter maximises fishing time. With 15 years of experience, the Darwin Harbour team will help you land goldies, queenfish, and barramundi.


Full and half day fishing charters have a passenger maximum of eight, so it’s a great small-group experience. Although a smaller boat, it’s designed to handle the fluctuating Darwin tides, which can bring as much as 7 metres of difference. Because of this, your charter will be able to go where others can’t.


Anglers out for the whole day on the harbour will have lunch supplied. Half-day trips come with the opportunity to bring your fresh catch to Fusion Restaurant. Here, the chefs will cook up your fish for around $15 per person.


Beyond the regular half and full day trips, Darwin Harbour Fishing Charters offer barra-focused fishing and family trips for up to two adults and three kids as well as private charters.

Offshore Boats

A Man is Sitting on a Boat Holding a Large Fish — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT

Photo Credit: Fabien Monteil


Departing from Darwin, Offshore Boats is your link to memorable bluewater fishing in the Top End. Specialising in sport and reef fishing, Offshore Boats takes you to the best spots beyond the harbour.


With years of experience, they’ll tailor each private or group charter to suit the tides, weather, and season. Departing from Dinah Beach Boat Ramp, on either a 7.5m Stabicraft or a 7.65m Westerberg, you’ll be able to fish at multiple destinations throughout your full day or half day charter.


The fishing guides at Offshore Boats take great pride in working with first-timers as much as pros. So it’s bound to be a knowledgeable experience for beginners as you start jigging for Spanish mackerel and cast poppers for giant trevally.


If you plan on spending a few days away from your Zen Retreat, Offshore Boats also offers multi-day charters. These are completely customisable experiences that can take you fishing around the Top End from Dundee Beach and Cape Hotham to the Tiwi Islands.

Fish The Top End

A Helicopter is Parked on a Rocky Cliff Overlooking a Body of Water — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT
  • Website: fishthetopend.com
  • Charter Types: Half Day, Full Day & Multi-Day
  • Availability: Year-Round


The broad range of charter options provided by Fish the Top End makes it one of our favourite Darwin charters. They offer fishing tours with a difference as you have the opportunity to trade the boat for a helicopter.


Fish the Top End has many half and full day fishing adventures available. These include exploring the Darwin Harbour for mud crabs, honing in on the area’s enormous barramundis or heading beyond the bay for a spot of reef fishing.


But their premier fishing experience is their half or full day heli fishing. Providing a mix of 2 hours of flying and six hours of angling, there’s no better way to see the best of NT fishing than this. As you jump between floodplains, creeks, rivers and bays, you’ll reel in beauties, while enjoying some incredible scenery.

Yknot Fishing Charters

A Woman is Holding a Large Fish on a Boat in the Ocean — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT

Photo Credit: BlueOrange Studio


With YKnot Fishing Charters, anglers can enjoy the best of the Darwin Harbour. But with excellent bluewater expertise, this is a great charter for those who want to go beyond and out as far as the Perron and Tiwi Islands.


An adventure tour award winner, YKnot takes you to the most happening spots with an equally fun crew. Depending on the tide and conditions, they’ll track down coral trout, black jewfish, cobia, and other lengthy pelagic species.


Although most charters depart the harbour, some leave from Dundee Beach. A 90-minute journey from Darwin, these charters give you a headstart in exploring the peninsula, nearby reefs, and the Timor Sea.


Catering and all the necessities are supplied on all of the half, full, and extended day charters. Guests will also have the opportunity to bring along their own adult beverages. This is a handy soother if you aren’t landing the big catch.

Kakadu Fishing Tours

A Group of People Are Fishing in a River From a Boat — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT

Photo Credit: Paulharding00


With the Darwin Harbour and its surrounding bluewater covered, let’s take a look inland. The Top End has some of Australia’s most unique landscapes, from the Arnham Escarpment down to Kakadu. You can explore some of the best, all while on the hunt for barra with Kakadu Fishing Tours.


The family-run fishing charter is led by the barramundi-obssessed Shannon Summerton, who is admittedly working his “dream job.” His full day tours depart from March into early May. They make the most of the runoff from the major Kakadu rivers. As the only full time Kakadu charter, they offer unmatched local expertise. They can also run full-day charters lasting up to one week.


After May, Kakadu Fishing Tours offers twice-daily half day trips. These make the most of the early morning and afternoon periods when barramundi are most active. As you head upstream along the East Alligator River, you may spot saltwater crocodiles swimming through the spectacular landscapes.

What to Know Before You Go

Where to Fish in Darwin

A Pier Leading Into the Ocean at Sunset — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT

Photo Credit: Vincent_Nguyen

Aside from the Darwin Harbour, there are endless spots to fish here in the Top End. Places like Dundee Beach provide easy access to the peninsula and local reefs. Mary, Daly, and Adelaide rivers are also excellent fishing spots, especially in the early months of the dry season.


What if you prefer to stay on land? You don’t have to head out to sea to enjoy great fishing in Darwin. The city has many docks and wharves, such as Mandorah Jetty and Stokes Hill Wharf. You can also fish on near-shore reefs at Lee Point or wander down Buffalo Creek.

What Kind of Fish Will I Catch?

A Pink Fish is Swimming in the Ocean — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT

Photo Credit: Ian Scott

There are over 30 different fish species in Darwin Harbour alone, including barramundi, queenfish and golden snapper.


Out on the reefs, you may find:


  • saddle tailed snapper
  • jewfish
  • Strippers
  • cod
  • mangrove jack (mudflats)
  • mud and blue swimmer crabs
  • flatheads
  • bream

What Will the Charter Provide?

Typically, your fishing charter will cover bait, tackle, lures, rods, and reels. Some may even provide wet weather gear if you are exploring during the wet season. Full day charters often come with lunch provided, while eskies are available to keep your drinks cold.

What Should I Bring on a Charter?

Anglers should bring reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent. In addition, hats and long sleeve shirts will increase sun safety and comfort. Depending on the charter, you may also need to bring additional snacks and water.

I’m a First-Timer, is that OK?

While we don’t recommend a multi-day charter for first-timers, our listed fishing tours are all great for newbies. A balance of fun and fishing tuition provided by the fishing guides will help get you up to speed.

What Are the Rules for Fishing in Darwin?

There are several fishing compliance policies that outline protected species, safety, and fishing on Aboriginal land. You can find more information here.

The Perfect Darwin Fishing Charter

If you’re planning a fishing trip to go along with your Zen Retreat, then you’ll be happy to know Darwin is a prime charter fishing location. From vast bluewater to impressive, scenic rivers, there are many ways you can go.

If you’re in the early dry season window, make the most of the inland river runoff. While the calmer near-shore seas in the Darwin “winter” are the perfect playground to explore reefs and distant islands when staying at a Zen Luxury Retreat!

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A Sailboat is Floating on Top of a Body of Water at Sunset — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT

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A Close Up of a Painting on a Rock Wall — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT

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A Sandwich With Guacamole on It on a Plate — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT

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A Swimming Pool at Darwin Waterfront With Umbrellas and Chairs — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City,

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A White Plate Topped With a Piece of Grilled Fish — Zen Luxury Retreats in Darwin City, NT

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