Salt water depth chart
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55,800-acre Van Diemen Gulf. Sector 30 Australian saltwater fishing map showing only directly measured AusBathyTopo 2026 cells, source-qualified fishing spots, official regional fish evidence, seasonal forage context, access guidance and current-rule links. Sector 30 trip-scale surveyed footprint within Van Diemen Gulf. A very large tropical gulf between the Top End and Cobourg Peninsula, divided across major channels and coastal sectors. The displayed footprint is not a legal boundary or a claim of complete named-water coverage. The water tops out around 159 ft. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
On the chart, Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 30 draws 55,806 acres inside 73.2 miles of shoreline. A development index of 2.2 means a maze of bays and points: far more casting targets than a round bowl of the same size. The shallow band under 15 ft claims about 14% of the surface — that's where the groceries are. Figure 18.7 mi of water from one end to the other, 11.4 mi at the beam. Closest neighbour on DepthScout: Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 37, 13 mi south of here.
Regional occurrence does not mean equal abundance, child-specific catch rate, retention permission or a promised catch. Live state, territory, Commonwealth, protected-area and local rules always control. The roster may combine exact-water monitoring with habitat-filtered official regional evidence; it does not imply that every species is equally abundant throughout the mapped section.
| Species | Evidence basis | Count / date |
|---|---|---|
| barramundi (Barramundi) | official species listing | — |
| golden snapper (Golden Snapper) | official species listing | — |
| black jewfish (Black Jewfish) | official species listing | — |
| king threadfin (King Threadfin) | official species listing | — |
| queenfish (Queenfish) | official species listing | — |
| giant trevally (Giant Trevally) | official species listing | — |
| mangrove jack (Mangrove Jack) | official species listing | — |
| Spanish mackerel (Narrow-barred Spanish Mackerel) | official species listing | — |
| coral trout (Coral Trout) | official species listing | — |
Official species-evidence source.
Early season barramundi use the shallows, holding in 2 to 18 ft. Even in summer they hold at 2 to 18 ft; winter keeps them in 11 to 35 ft. The chart's best answer is Sharp break — drop-off, 30 ft, good for winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (3 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 18 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (3 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 11 to 35 ft | midday | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
Spring golden snapper on Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 30 hold shallow, usually 8 to 35 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 8 to 35 ft in summer, 21 to 80 ft once it turns cold. Put Sharp break first on the milk run — a drop-off near 30 ft that grades good for fall. The feeding windows run early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
In spring, black jewfish run shallow here, mostly 8 to 35 ft. Summer keeps them at 8 to 35 ft, and they winter in 21 to 90 ft. Fall black jewfish concentrate at Sharp break, a good-rated drop-off around 30 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 8 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 8 to 63 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 21 to 90 ft | midday | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
Early season king threadfin use the shallows, holding in 2 to 16 ft. Even in summer they hold at 2 to 16 ft; winter keeps them in 10 to 35 ft. The chart's best answer is Shallow measured flat — feeding flat, 5 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (5 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 16 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (5 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 2 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow measured flat (5 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 10 to 35 ft | midday | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: queenfish in 3 to 25 ft. The depth story barely changes: 3 to 25 ft through summer, 15 to 55 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Sharp break, a drop-off in the 30 ft range, prime in fall. Time it for early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (3 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (3 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 3 to 39 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 15 to 55 ft | midday | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
Early season giant trevally use the shallows, holding in 4 to 30 ft. Even in summer they hold at 4 to 30 ft; winter keeps them in 18 to 80 ft. The chart's best answer is Shoreline point — point, 4 ft, prime for spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (4 ft) | see map |
| Summer | 4 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline point (4 ft) | see map |
| Fall | 4 to 56 ft | dawn & dusk | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
| Winter | 18 to 80 ft | midday | Sharp break (30 ft) | see map |
Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 30 also holds mangrove jack (2 to 18 ft in summer), narrow-barred spanish mackerel (8 to 45 ft in summer), coral trout (8 to 35 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Count 15 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Deepest basin, sits near 152 ft.
No facility from the cited Northern Territory boat ramps source was spatially attached within 3 km of this directly measured map footprint during the 2026-09-08 audit. This is an evidence gap, not a claim that public access is absent. Check the official portal, live site signs, tides, ramp condition, vessel suitability, fees, parking, working-port restrictions and landowner permissions before travel: https://nt.gov.au/marine/for-all-harbour-and-boat-users/boat-ramps
Private land and private launches need the owner's permission — please ask first.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Northern Territory waters are set by the Northern Territory Government (current recreational-fishing rules) — and special regulations can apply to Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 30 specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish. Check the Northern Territory's live possession and size limits and rules for specific areas before every trip. Seasonal barramundi controls, protected species, marine-park and Aboriginal land or sea-country permissions, method limits, vessel rules and local closures can apply. Remote-water access often needs separate landowner or permit approval. A mapped survey footprint, fishing spot or access lead never grants fishing, retention, entry, parking, camping or launching permission.
Check the official Northern Territory fishing regulations →
Northern Territory possession and size limits →
Check special-area and water-specific rules →
Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 30 is about 159 ft (48 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from Geoscience Australia / AusSeabed bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Official coastal monitoring from Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries regional evidence informs the barramundi, golden snapper, black jewfish, king threadfin, queenfish, giant trevally, mangrove jack, narrow-barred spanish mackerel, coral trout roster for Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 30. The mixed roster combines exact-water records where available with habitat-filtered regional evidence; not every species is documented at this exact water, and it is not a promise of equal abundance or a catch on a particular trip.
Shallow measured flat is the top-rated area: a feeding flat in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for king threadfin in spring. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For barramundi, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 30 is regulated by the Northern Territory Government (current recreational-fishing rules). Check the official Northern Territory regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 37 13 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 31 13 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 38 16 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 24 23 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 36 24 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 44 25 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 39 28 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 43 34 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 46 41 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 15 44 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 26 45 mi · Van Diemen Gulf - Sector 18 45 mi
Browse all Northern Territory fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.