Fishing Spots > Australia W (WA)
1 captains listed · casting available · sea category. A spot in Montebello Islands (WA) (Australia W (WA)) targeting GT/Spanish mackerel/Grouper. Check the tide, captains and recent catches, then contact them directly via public social accounts. Access, climate and lodging are in the details below.
Book / contact the captain directly Apache Charters ›The Montebello Islands are a group of remote islands off the Pilbara coast of WA. There are no scheduled services, so access is always by charter boat (mothership). The gateway is a domestic flight from Perth (PER) into Learmonth Airport (LEA) near Exmouth or Onslow Airport (ONS), then crossing by charter boat from the port. Onslow (about 70 nautical miles to the islands) is the main departure point, with shorter transit that makes it easier to secure fishing time. As flights are limited, it is best to lock in your itinerary early.
| From | Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perth (PER) | Domestic flight to Learmonth Airport (Learmonth/LEA, Exmouth) -> about 20 min by car from airport to port -> charter boat | Flight about 2 to 2.5 hours + about 20 min by road + boarding | The Exmouth route is operated by Qantas. Learmonth Airport is about 20 min by car from the Exmouth port area. |
| Perth (PER) | Domestic flight toward Onslow Airport (ONS) -> Onslow port -> charter boat (mothership) to the Montebello Islands | Flight + boarding. Onslow to the islands is about 70 nautical miles | The voyage from Onslow is short at about 70 nautical miles, allowing more fishing time. If flights are hard to get, the overland route from Perth (with an overnight stay via Carnarvon) is also an option. |
| Perth | Overland (self-drive). About 1,270 km to Exmouth, an overnight stay at Carnarvon is recommended | Roughly 13 to 14 hours one way (driving safely) | An alternative when flights are hard to get. |
Coordinates: -20.4, 115.55(Open in Google Maps)
GT/Spanish mackerel/Grouper
The best fishing season is roughly the dry season of winter to early summer, April to November (avoiding the cyclone season of December to April). Charters operate from June to December annually; on light tackle, July to November is especially good for small black marlin and sailfish, while heavy-tackle blue marlin run from November to December. Reef species (red emperor, coral trout, etc.) and GT and Spanish mackerel can be targeted roughly year-round, but July to November (especially August to October), when sea conditions are stable, is the most comfortable and offers the best prospects for catches.
◎ peak: Jul–Nov · ○ in season: Jun–Dec
See what else is in season now →
An island group reached by multi-day trips out of Dampier or Exmouth. GT worked around the reefs on poppers and soft lures have produced fish to the 50 kg class. The species mix is varied too, with Spanish mackerel, wahoo, red emperor, and coral trout. The peak is generally Aug-Oct, with sailfish best from Jul-Nov.
Full how-to & tackle on each species page:GT Spanish mackerel Grouper
*Official embeds of each channel's public videos. Click to play on YouTube.
Under the Koppen classification this is a desert climate (BWh), with little rainfall year-round and strong sunshine. The annual average is about 26C. The cyclone season is roughly December to April, when there is a risk of strong winds, high seas and heavy rain, and remote-island charters are often suspended. Values are representative figures for the Onslow area (high/low, source: worldweatheronline). The average is a rough midpoint between high and low.
| Month | Avg ℃ | High ℃ | Low ℃ | Clothing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30.5 | 34 | 27 | Midsummer, intense heat. T-shirt and shorts plus hat, sunglasses and strong sunscreen. Departures are unstable during cyclone season. | |
| 31 | 34 | 28 | Among the hottest of the year. Breathable summer clothes plus essential sun protection. Peak of cyclone season. | |
| 31 | 34 | 28 | Severe heat continues. A thin long-sleeve top is also effective for preventing sunburn. Cyclone season. | |
| 29 | 32 | 26 | Heat eases slightly. Mainly summer clothes. Late in the cyclone season. | |
| 25 | 28 | 22 | A pleasant early autumn. T-shirt during the day, a thin layer morning and evening. | |
| 22 | 25 | 19 | Start of winter. A T-shirt is fine during the day, but as it gets cold morning and evening and on the boat, bring a fleece or windbreaker. | |
| 21.5 | 25 | 18 | The coolest of the year. Mild during the day, but bring warm clothing for the boat and morning and evening. Layering recommended. | |
| 22 | 26 | 18 | Cool winter. T-shirt during the day plus warm clothing morning and evening. A windbreaker on the boat. | |
| 24 | 28 | 20 | Comfortable spring. Mainly T-shirts plus a thin jacket morning and evening. | |
| 26.5 | 31 | 22 | Warm and dry. Summer clothes plus sun protection. Comfortable in peak season. | |
| 27 | 31 | 23 | Heat returns. Summer clothes plus sunscreen and a hat. | |
| 29.5 | 33 | 26 | Start of midsummer. Heat protection essential. Heading toward cyclone season from the latter half of the month. |
| Class | Property | Price (approx) | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-end | Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort(Exmouth) | — | The only 4.5-star resort fronting the beach in Exmouth. Rooms, suites and bungalows with balconies overlooking the Indian Ocean. Local seafood at the adjoining Mantarays Dining & Bar. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Exmouth Escape Resort(Exmouth) | — | A 4.5-star self-catering resort in the town centre. Walking distance to the beach, restaurants, pubs and shops. Adjoins the fully licensed seafood venue Whalers. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| High-end | Onslow Beach Resort(Onslow) | — | A quality resort in the centre of Onslow town, built on the Beadon Bay beachfront. Self-catering apartments with ocean/pool views, the adjoining The Beach Club, and secure parking. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Potshot Hotel Resort(Exmouth) | Self-catering apartments from about A$300/night | A full-service resort in the centre of Exmouth town. 3 pools, 2 licensed restaurants and 4 bars. From hotel rooms to self-catering units. Walking distance to shops and bars. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Beadon Bay Hotel(Onslow) | — | Onslow's oldest historic pub and hotel overlooking the bay. Queen/twin/family rooms (ocean view available). Adjoining bar, restaurant and bottle shop. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Standard | Ningaloo Lodge Exmouth(Exmouth) | — | A relaxed 36-room lodge with a Balinese atmosphere. Affordable and comfortable mid-range. Located in the centre of Exmouth town. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Exmouth Ningaloo Caravan & Holiday Resort(Exmouth) | — | Near Exmouth Beach. Air-conditioned cabins, chalets and park homes, plus over 250 powered/unpowered caravan and camp sites. Saltwater pool, BBQ and playground. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Onslow Ocean View Caravan Park(Onslow) | — | A caravan park on the Onslow beachfront. Caters for caravans, camping and cabins. About 5 min walk to the town centre, supermarket and hardware store. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Budget | Discovery Parks – Onslow(Onslow) | — | A large holiday park with studios, cabins and caravan/tent sites. Caters for a wide range of guests. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Name | Cuisine | Budget | Highlights | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whalers Restaurant(Exmouth/Exmouth Escape Resort内) | Seafood / Restaurant | — | Some of the region's finest seafood in a garden setting. Seafood gumbo, tiger prawn gnocchi, and the daily fresh catch (grilled/beer-battered). Live music available. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Mantarays Dining & Bar(Exmouth) | Modern Australian / Seafood | — | Waterside views. Contemporary Aussie cuisine with a European touch. Fresh oysters, Shark Bay scallops, fresh fish straight from the market, and more. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Froth Craft Brewery(Exmouth) | Craft brewery / Pub | — | An award-winning microbrewery. Over 16 craft beers, gourmet burgers and elevated pub classics, and live music. Family-friendly and in the centre of town. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Whalebone Brewing Company(Exmouth) | Brewery & distillery / Pizza | — | A family-run brewery and distillery. Specialties include the wood-fired pizza 'Beached As' topped with Exmouth wild prawns. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| The Beach Club(Onslow/Onslow Beach Resort内) | Restaurant & bar | — | Beachfront overlooking Beadon Bay. Fish & chips, pizza, burgers, steak, pasta and seafood. Bookings and walk-ins welcome. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
| Beadon Bay Hotel(Onslow) | Pub / Aussie cuisine | — | Onslow's oldest pub. Cold drinks and classic Aussie pub fare with a twist. Has a renovated beer garden. | Google reviewsTripAdvisor |
Nearby spots easy to combine into one trip (straight-line distance). See the map above for locations.