Darwin - Docking
Anchorages and Marinas
Once clearance formalities have been completed, there are several options for berthing; both marinas and anchorages around Darwin.
Anchorages:
The most popular anchorage is Fannie Bay (approximately 12º25S 130º 50’E), off the Darwin Sailing Club (which offers temporary membership). Good holding in mud. Possible to leave the dinghy directly in front of the sailing club buildings.
A second anchorage is located east of Darwin Wharf (approximately 12º28’S 130º51’E), but this is exposed to the southeast winds that prevail in July and August and there are no facilities nearby.
Marinas:
Due to the very large tides (up to 8m), all Darwin marinas have tidal sluice gates to lock the water in the marinas.The majority of tidal sluice gates have restricted width on entering which can be a problem for larger catamarans.
Cullen Bay Marina
The marina is accessed via the Lock which operates from 0600 to 2300 every day. Vessels wishing to enter the Marina should seek instruction from the Cullen Bay Lockmaster on VHF Channel 11 prior to arrival. Max vessel sizes: LOA 25m – Beam 8.5m – Draft 2.5m. All tides access.
The external waiting pontoon is for Border Force/Biosecurity/Aquatic Biosecurity operations and has an independently managed (Ausfuel) 24hr self-service fuel dock. This is a strict “bump & go” facility.
Bayview Marina
Bayview Marina is conveniently situated just under 5 kilometres from Darwin CBD and has 128 secure floating berths for local and visiting vessels to a length of 21 metres, beam of 7 metres and draft of 2.5 metres.
Access is via a lock (open 06:00 to 21:00 local time every day). Contact the Lockmaster on VHF: Channel 68 for instructions before entering and exiting the Lock.
Tipperary Waters Marina
Located on Frances Bay between the Mooring Basin and the Bayview Marina. Access is via a lock – contact the “Tipperary Lockmaster” on Channel 8 for instructions.
Frances Bay Mooring Basin
Also known as the “Duck Pond’ this area is managed by the Darwin Port Authority (DPA) and is the only other option for catamarans in Darwin. This is a commercial basin where heavy engineering maintenance of the fishing fleet is conducted. The DPA allows larger cruising yachts and wide beam catamarans into this marina when space permits (generally when the prawn trawlers are at sea).
Moorings:
The Northern Territory Government publishes a handy guide to Marinas and Mooring Providers in and around Darwin.
Marinas and Mooring Providers – Darwin
Last updated: July 2024
If you have information for this section, or feedback on businesses used, please let us know at editor@noonsite.com. We also welcome new information about businesses you have used (see Related Businesses).
Next Section: Profile: Yacht Clubs
Related to following destinations: Australia, Darwin, Northern Territory (Australia)
Port Navigation
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.comMain Ports - Australia
Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
YachtFlags.com offers a discount to Noonsite members.
Use the coupon code NOONSITE_5A2B when checking out to get 10% off today.
Buy Now On YachtFlags.com
From Eric Sponberg on SY Corroboree
My wife and I are Americans on a 35’ monohull sailboat, Corroboree, having just sailed from Darwin, NT, Australia, where we left on 16 May 2022, to Bali, Indonesia, where we arrived on 29 May 2022. We stopped at Ashmore Reef in the Timor sea for 2 days along the way.
First, there are supposed to be public moorings for small craft at Ashmore Reef. Australia Border Force keeps a large patrol boat moored there, and they are quite friendly to talk to and deal with. However, their literature regarding the moorings at Ashmore Reef is incorrect and out of date. There are no small craft moorings anywhere at Ashmore Reef, there are only large vessel moorings with very heavy hawsers. Visiting yachts are allowed to use these moorings—check with the Border Force vessel first—but there are no small craft moorings. Apparently, they have been washed away. We reported this situation to Border Force, and they were quite surprised that none of the smaller moorings were there. I guess they had not inspected the anchorage there in a long time. The lagoon is a few miles long.
Eric Sponberg
SY Corroboree
Naval Architect, retired
Member, Noonsite
14th Oct 2019
Hi just found a great place for boat oil and diesel filters .
Cummins diesel sell a very wide range of filters .
They are in East Arm About 15 mins from Darwin central.
When clearing out, make sure to contact Border Security at least 24 hours before you wish to attend the office to get an appointment. We tried to turn up and clear out but were told to leave some paperwork and come back the next day.
The Darwin office has made this a local requirement so they can have your paperwork ready. Their email address is darwin.shipping@border.gov.au
The clearance by Aquatic Biosecurity is now down to 10 hours. May be completed at Cullen Bay pontoon or at anchorage in Fannie Bay.