Australia
Victoria · Bass Strait

St Kilda Beach Water Temperature & Swim Forecast

Popular Victoria beach near Melbourne.

Cool water with a light chop and a light breeze — tough conditions for unprotected swimming.

Sea temperature now
13.0°Ccool
Fair
Source: Open-Meteo Marine

Model estimate · modelled, not a buoy measurement. How accurate is this?

Air temperature
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Wave height
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Wind
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UV index
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Location

St Kilda Beach on the map, with nearby beaches and live sea temperatures.

7-day forecast

Water, air, waves, wind and UV outlook for the week ahead.

Wetsuit recommendation

4/3mm fullsuit

At 13.0°C you need a 4/3mm fullsuit, and many surfers add neoprene boots.

  • + Optional 3mm boots
Surf & watersports
Cool water — the classic UK/Atlantic spring or Pacific Northwest summer range. A 4/3mm sealed-seam suit keeps you in the water for 90+ minutes. Boots prevent foot pain on rocky entries and extend session length.
Open-water swimming
Acclimatised swimmers manage 30 minutes; a thicker swim wetsuit (3/2) helps.

Recommendation tuned for St Kilda Beach's current water temperature. Individual tolerance, wind chill, and session length all matter — when in doubt, size up.

St Kilda Beach swimming conditions summary

Water temperature
13.0°C
Water feels
Bracing
Swimmable today
Only with thermal protection
Swim conditions score
49/100 · Fair
Wetsuit needed
4/3mm fullsuit
Air temperature
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Waves
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Wind
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UV index
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Average sea temperature (September)
13.0 °C
Warmest months to swim
January, February, March

At 13.0°C you need a 4/3mm fullsuit, and many surfers add neoprene boots. Model estimate. Water, wave, wind and UV values are Open-Meteo marine/weather model estimates, refreshed hourly — not buoy measurements.

Frequently asked questions

Can I swim at St Kilda Beach right now?

The sea at St Kilda Beach is currently 13.0°C — cold swimming conditions. Most swimmers will find the water comfortable when it's above 22°C; below 18°C feels fresh and a wetsuit is recommended.

What will the sea temperature be at St Kilda Beach next week?

Based on long-term September averages and the latest marine model, expect the sea around St Kilda Beach to sit close to 13.7°C over the next 7 days. Check the live 7-day chart above for the exact daily outlook.

When is the best month to swim at St Kilda Beach?

January – February – March are typically the warmest months to swim at St Kilda Beach, with sea temperatures at their seasonal peak.

Do I need a wetsuit at St Kilda Beach?

With water currently at 13.0°C: above 22°C no wetsuit needed; 18–22°C a shorty is comfortable for long swims; 14–18°C a 3/2mm full suit; below 14°C a 4/3mm or thicker.

Quick answer

Can I swim at St Kilda Beach today?

The sea is currently 13.0°C — fair swimming conditions. Acclimatised swimmers will be most comfortable.

Key takeaways
  • • Located in Victoria, Australia (Bass Strait).
  • • Family friendly with calm, accessible water.
  • • Live data refreshed hourly from Open-Meteo Marine.

Monthly sea temperature averages

Tap any month to see what to expect — based on regional climatology.

12°C → 19°C· Current month outlined· “Best” = within 2°C of the annual peak

Best time to swim in St Kilda Beach

The sea in St Kilda Beach peaks in January, when the water averages around 19°C.

On average, 0 months a year sit above 20°C — the threshold most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.

Outside peak season the water drops toward 12°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable.

The coldest month is typically July at around 12°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.

St Kilda Beach sits in the Southern Hemisphere, so the warmest sea coincides with the December–February summer and the coolest with July–August.

St Kilda Beach sea temperature history

Long-term climatology for St Kilda Beach shows an annual mean sea temperature of 16°C, ranging from 12°C in winter to 19°C at the summer peak.

The seasonal swing is roughly 7°C between the coldest and warmest month — a useful yardstick when comparing years or checking whether the current sea is running above or below average.

Recent decades have trended slightly warmer at St Kilda Beach, in line with regional sea-surface temperature records for the wider basin.

Monthly averages below are drawn from multi-decadal climatology and are updated as new observations arrive.

Jan
19°C
Feb
19°C
Mar
18°C
Apr
17°C
May
15°C
Jun
13°C
Jul
12°C
Aug
12°C
Sep
13°C
Oct
14°C
Nov
16°C
Dec
18°C

St Kilda Beach sea temperature: frequently asked questions

What is the warmest month to swim in St Kilda Beach?

January is the warmest month in St Kilda Beach, when the sea averages about 19°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.

When is the sea coldest in St Kilda Beach?

The coldest month in St Kilda Beach is typically July, when the water averages around 12°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.

When can you swim in St Kilda Beach without a wetsuit?

The sea in St Kilda Beach rarely climbs above 20°C, so a wetsuit is recommended year-round for anything longer than a quick dip.

Do I need a wetsuit in St Kilda Beach?

Outside peak summer the water in St Kilda Beach drops toward 12°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable. In peak months most swimmers go without.

What is the average sea temperature in St Kilda Beach?

The long-term annual mean sea temperature in St Kilda Beach is about 16°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.

How do I check the current sea temperature in St Kilda Beach?

The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in St Kilda Beach, updated hourly from marine buoy and satellite data. The 7-day forecast covers water, air, waves, wind and UV for the week ahead.

Year-round sea temperature

MonthSeaComfort
Jan ⭐19°CPleasant
Feb19°CPleasant
Mar18°CPleasant
Apr17°CBracing
May15°CBracing
Jun13°CCold
Jul12°CCold
Aug12°CCold
Sep13°CCold
Oct14°CBracing
Nov16°CBracing
Dec18°CPleasant

Nearby beaches

The closest coastline, with live water temperatures.