Point Samson Johns Creek Boat Harbour

About Point Samson Johns Creek Boat Harbour

Point Samson Johns Creek Boat Harbour is a compact working harbour on the eastern edge of the Dampier Archipelago, protected by three breakwaters and serving fishing, commercial, resource-sector and recreational boats. Mangroves, beaches and productive Pilbara waters surround the nearby coastal village. We think the harbour's strength is its authenticity: it provides serious marine infrastructure in a remote setting where reliable shelter, launching and servicing matter far more than resort-style extras.

The harbour has seven fixed alongside positions, including published 20- and 25-metre pens, while the accommodation page describes a wider range of 10 to 33 metres. Pens have single- and three-phase power, water and lighting, and are offered casually or for short- and long-term use subject to high demand. Contact the harbour office first, confirm availability and submit the relevant vessel-accommodation or waiting-list form before treating any position as available.

A service jetty and land-backed wharf provide power, water and lighting, with the wharf adding a heavy-lift pad and specialist net berth. The hardstand has another crane-lift pad, while a three-pile careening pad uses the region's large tides to support suitable vessels. A dual-lane concrete ramp, multi-level catwalk and sealed trailer parking serve launching crews. What stands out to us is the breadth of working capability concentrated around a small basin.

Fuel can be supplied from pens 2, 3 and 7 by prior request through Baileys Marine Fuels, and a fuel card is required. Public toilet facilities sit near the ramp, but showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, pump-out and a conventional travel lift are not verified. The entrance and basin are dredged to two metres below chart datum, yet the bed at existing pens can be exposed at low tide. With a tidal range published from roughly minus 0.4 to 5.9 metres, draft and timing require real care.

Our take is that Johns Creek best suits capable skippers, fishing operators and regional boat owners who understand working-harbour procedures and Pilbara conditions. It is a useful base for local fishing and coast exploration, but cyclones demand a separate, current contingency plan; limited pens cannot guarantee safe shelter in every storm or surge. Check tides, weather, notices to mariners and cyclone advice, confirm fuel and berth allocation, and arrive with an alternative plan. Prepared crews will find an exceptionally practical northern harbour.

Services

Johns Creek Boat Harbour provides seven fixed alongside positions with published 20- and 25-metre pens and an overall accommodation range stated as 10 to 33 metres. Single- and three-phase power, water and lighting are available. Casual, short-term and longer arrangements require prior availability confirmation and the appropriate DTMI application or waiting-list process; fees are calculated from vessel length and term.

The service jetty and land-backed wharf support working vessels with utilities and load-rated access. A hardstand and heavy-lift pads permit independently arranged crane operations, while the three-pile careening pad uses the tidal cycle. The City of Karratha-operated dual-lane ramp includes a multi-level catwalk with sealed vehicle and trailer parking. Book regulated facilities and verify load, insurance and contractor requirements first.

Fuel is available from pens 2, 3 and 7 by request through Baileys Marine Fuels and requires its fuel card. A universal-access public toilet is near the ramp. Showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, sewage pump-out and a travel lift are not verified. The harbour bed can emerge at low tide despite a dredged two-metre entrance, so confirm draft, tide and berth suitability and follow current cyclone and navigation notices.

Ideal for

Pilbara fishing, commercial and experienced recreational crews needing fixed pens, working-wharf access, launching, fuel and tidal vessel-care facilities.

What we love

• Three breakwaters sheltering a working harbour
• Powered pens for vessels across varied sizes
• Service wharf, hardstand and heavy-lift pads
• A dual-lane ramp with sealed trailer parking
• Direct access to Point Samson fishing waters

To keep in mind

Large tides can expose the harbour bed at existing pens, so draft and timing are critical. Fuel needs advance arrangement and a fuel card. Pens are limited, and the harbour cannot guarantee cyclone shelter; always maintain a current cyclone contingency and alternative plan.