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Yachts moored in a Darwin marina basin at dawn
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Berths in Darwin

Lock limits, berths and contacts at the Darwin marinas and the Frances Bay Mooring Basin, with the pest check, pilotage and arrival rules.

Picture made with AI. It shows the place but is not a photograph.

Marinas

Berths in Darwin

Darwin has a tidal range of up to 8 m, so each basin below is entered through a lock. Of the three recreational marinas, only Cullen Bay takes a yacht of 24 m or more.

PlaceBerthsMax lengthBeam and draughtContact
Cullen Bay MarinaBerths of 10 to 25 m, short and long term25 m (lock limit)Beam 8.5 m. Draft 2.5 to 3 m, depending on the tide08 8942 0400. Lockmaster 0419 421 363, VHF 11
Tipperary Waters Marina7322 mBeam 6.1 m. Draft 3.4 mLockmaster 0407 075 077
Bayview Marina12820 to 21 m for berths (its pages differ). Lock takes craft to 26 mBeam 7 m. Draft 2.5 m0477 661 130, VHF 68
Frances Bay Mooring Basin85 vessels. Mainly commercial and fishing boats. Recreational vessels only if too large for the recreational marinasPens of 20, 25 and 30 mLock 35 m by 16 m, tide dependentLock 0428 207 612 (6:30 am to 3:30 pm). Office 08 8922 0619

Marina websites and NT Government. Tipperary Waters Marina says lock movements need a tidal level of 4 m or more. The Frances Bay Mooring Basin needs a Crown land licence and has no fuelling.

Cullen Bay Marina

Services and lock

TidesThe marina says it is Darwin's only marina open during all tides.
LockOpens 6 am to 11 pm on the hour. Other times by special arrangement. Contact the lock at least an hour before entry.
On sitePower and water at all berths. 24-hour security.
FuelAt the Ferry Jetty, outside the marina.
Not allowedDomestic pets and permanent live-aboard are not allowed.
Bayview Marina

Lock and entry

DistanceJust under 5 km from the Darwin CBD.
LockOpens 6 am to 9 pm every day.
BookingsCall between 6 am and 5 pm with at least one hour of notice. Out-of-hours access needs 24 hours of notice and an after-hours fee of AUD 100.
First entryArrange a berth rental or permission to use a private berth with the lockmaster or the office first.
InsuranceThird-party property insurance of AUD 10 million before entry.
Rules

Pest check, pilotage and arrival

Marine pest check

Boats that have travelled through international waters may need inspection and treatment for marine pests before they enter a Darwin marina. Contact the Aquatic Biosecurity Unit well before arrival. Inspections run Monday, Wednesday or Friday, 8 am to 4 pm, except public holidays, usually at the Cullen Bay pontoon outside the lock gates. (NT Government.)

Pilotage

Pilotage is compulsory for ships of 50 m overall length or more, unless the master holds a pilotage exemption certificate. Request a pilot from the Shipping Scheduler at least 24 hours ahead. (Darwin Port.)

Arrival

Darwin is an Australian Border Force port of entry and a biosecurity first point of entry for private yachts. Send the Border Force notice of impending arrival at least 96 hours before arrival. (Superyacht Australia.) Check the rules for your passport.

More in Darwin

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Sources. Checked 8 November 2026.

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