What can you catch at Kiama Harbour Walls?

Kiama Harbour Walls is a known location for southern calamari, yellowfin bream, luderick, snapper, Australian salmon, and tailor. Seasonality varies by species; the live conditions panel on Get A Nibble shows which species are most likely on a given day.

What is the best tide for Kiama Harbour Walls?

Tides matter at Kiama Harbour Walls, but no single phase suits every species. Open the Read to see the tide alongside wind, swell and water temperature.

What moon phase is best for fishing at Kiama Harbour Walls?

At Kiama Harbour Walls the moon sets the tide. Spring tides around the new and full moon move more water than the neap tides around the quarter moons, and the tide reading shows that range for each day. Studies that linked the moon to squid catches came from other waters (Cabanellas-Reboredo and others, 2012; Fukuda, Oya and Kidokoro, 2014), so they give no local moon rule; our Flinders Pier guide sets out why. Flinders Pier guide: the moon research: https://getanibble.com.au/blog/flinders-pier/

What wind direction does Kiama Harbour Walls handle?

Kiama Harbour Walls faces east. Some shelter from north, north-east, south-west, west and north-west winds. Open to east, south-east and south winds. Catchability and fishability appear as two separate coloured bands, never a safety clearance.

Are there fishing closures or marine sanctuaries near Kiama Harbour Walls?

Yes. Distinct from Kiama Blowhole Point. Harbour lee makes it fishable when blowhole ledges are not. Stay off outer wall in heavy swell. Always check the latest Victorian Fisheries Authority or NSW DPI rules before fishing.

Kiama Harbour Walls

The water

Kiama Harbour Walls is a jetty in Illawarra, New South Wales. Get to know the water before unpacking: choose a target species, look at the tide and wind, and work out where you can comfortably fish.

Find the mark at 34 degrees 40.170 minutes south, 150 degrees 51.270 minutes east. These coordinates locate the fishing spot, not a safe access route.

Structure

The mapped structure is breakwall estuary. The chart depth near the usual casting position is about 5 metres below chart datum, the reference level on a marine chart. The tide changes the actual depth during your session.

Kiama Harbour Walls faces east. Some shelter from north, north-east, south-west, west and north-west winds. Open to east, south-east and south winds.

Distinct from Kiama Blowhole Point. Harbour lee makes it fishable when blowhole ledges are not. Stay off outer wall in heavy swell.

Target species

Southern Calamari (Sepioteuthis australis). Try a squid jig with pauses between lifts. If a squid follows without taking it, slow down and try a smaller jig.

Yellowfin Bream (Acanthopagrus australis). Try worms on a light running sinker rig for a natural drift. Prawns are another option when the water is moving.

Luderick (Girella tricuspidata). Look for weed, walls and pylons when choosing where to investigate. Check access and the water around structure before settling into a position.

Snapper (Pagrus auratus). A pilchard on a running sinker rig is a useful starting point. In moving water, a tough squid strip can stay hooked longer.

Australian Salmon (Arripis trutta). A metal slice is a useful starting lure in surf gutters. From structure in calm water, try a soft plastic with a slow retrieve.

Tailor (Pomatomus saltatrix). Retrieve a metal slug through wash edges, changing speed as you search. Pilchard is an alternative when casting control becomes difficult.

How to fish it

Match the weight of your rig to the water in front of you. Start with enough control to present your bait or lure, then adjust when the tide changes. Watch where your line settles and leave space for other anglers to work their tackle.

Share the jetty with other users and keep the walkway clear. Check for boats before casting, and choose a landing position you can reach safely.

Use the live weather at Kiama Harbour Walls to understand the session: tide, wind, swell, air pressure, moon and water temperature belong together. The two coloured bands describe catchability and fishability. They cannot assess your footing, access or safety at the water.

Nearby spots

Kiama Blowhole Point: 0.8 km east in a straight line.
Point Ho (Little Blowhole rocks): 2.2 km south in a straight line.
Minnamurra River Mouth: 4.4 km north in a straight line.

Explore more fishing spots in Illawarra and compare their conditions before choosing your next session.

Data sources

Learn where the weather information comes from on our data sources page.