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Sea temperature in Australia

Live water temperatures and swimming conditions across 311 beaches on the Australia coast.

Best time to swim in Australia

The sea in Australia peaks in January, when the water averages around 22°C.

The main swimming season runs from November – March, when surface temperatures stay comfortable for extended sessions.

On average, 5 months a year sit above 20°C — the threshold most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.

Shoulder months like October and April are noticeably cooler but often quieter, with fewer crowds and steadier weather.

Outside peak season the water drops toward 15°C, so a 3/2mm shorty or full wetsuit makes long swims much more comfortable.

The coldest month is typically July at around 15°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.

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

Australia sea temperature history

Long-term climatology for Australia shows an annual mean sea temperature of 19°C, ranging from 15°C in winter to 22°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 Australia, 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
22°C
Feb
22°C
Mar
21°C
Apr
19°C
May
17°C
Jun
16°C
Jul
15°C
Aug
15°C
Sep
16°C
Oct
18°C
Nov
20°C
Dec
22°C

Values are area averages; individual beaches vary by exposure and depth.

Australia sea temperature: frequently asked questions

What is the warmest month to swim in Australia?

January is the warmest month in Australia, when the sea averages about 22°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.

When is the sea coldest in Australia?

The coldest month in Australia is typically July, when the water averages around 15°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.

When can you swim in Australia without a wetsuit?

The main swimming season in Australia runs from November – March — about 5 months a year when the sea sits above 20°C, the level most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.

Do I need a wetsuit in Australia?

Outside peak summer the water in Australia drops toward 15°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 Australia?

The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Australia is about 19°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.

How do I check the current sea temperature in Australia?

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

Australia sea temperature by month

Average sea temperatures around Australia for every month of the year, based on long-term Open-Meteo marine climatology.

Monthly average sea temperature in Australia
MonthAverage sea
January ⭐22.0°C
February22.0°C
March21.0°C
April19.0°C
May17.0°C
June16.0°C
July15.0°C
August15.0°C
September16.0°C
October18.0°C
November20.0°C
December22.0°C

Monthly figures are modelled climatology averages, not live readings. How accurate is our data?

Coastal regions of Australia

Region hubs with live sea temperatures, swim conditions and a beach directory.

New South Wales
115 beaches
115 tracked beaches in New South Wales, Australia, with live Tasman Sea temperatures.
Great Barrier Reef Coast
64 beaches
Tropical Queensland — Cairns, Whitsundays and beyond.
Western Australia
59 beaches
59 tracked beaches in Western Australia, Australia, with live Indian Ocean temperatures.
Victoria
40 beaches
40 tracked beaches in Victoria, Australia, with live Bass Strait temperatures.
South Australia
23 beaches
23 tracked beaches in South Australia, Australia, with live Southern Ocean temperatures.

Warmest beaches in Australia right now

BeachRegionSea
Palm BeachNew South Wales28.3°C
Seven Mile BeachNew South Wales27.3°C
Burleigh HeadsQueensland26.6°C
Palm Beach Gold CoastQueensland26.6°C
Coolum BeachQueensland26.6°C
Whitehaven BeachQueensland26.6°C
Airlie BeachQueensland26.6°C
Etty BayQueensland26.6°C
Kewarra BeachQueensland26.6°C
BroadbeachQueensland26.5°C
Ellis BeachQueensland26.5°C
The SpitQueensland26.5°C
Dicky BeachQueensland26.5°C
Hervey Bay BeachQueensland26.5°C
Peregian BeachQueensland26.4°C
Agnes WaterQueensland26.4°C
Magnetic Island HorseshoeQueensland26.4°C
Mission BeachQueensland26.4°C
Palm CoveQueensland26.4°C
Palm Beach QLDQueensland26.4°C
Moffat BeachQueensland26.4°C
Kings BeachQueensland26.3°C
Granite BayQueensland26.3°C
Double Island PointQueensland26.3°C
Surfers ParadiseQueensland26.2°C
Mermaid BeachQueensland26.2°C
Greenmount BeachQueensland26.2°C
Kirra BeachQueensland26.2°C
Rainbow BeachQueensland26.2°C
Nobby BeachQueensland26.2°C
Main Beach NoosaQueensland26.2°C
Yeppoon BeachQueensland26.2°C
Sunshine BeachQueensland26.1°C
Bargara BeachQueensland26.0°C
Bingil BayQueensland26.0°C
Tugun BeachQueensland25.9°C
Tea Tree BayQueensland25.9°C
Bilinga BeachQueensland25.8°C
Maroochydore BeachQueensland25.8°C
Miami Beach QLDQueensland25.8°C
Main Beach StradbrokeQueensland25.8°C
Deadmans Beach StraddieQueensland25.8°C
Snapper RocksQueensland25.7°C
Mooloolaba BeachQueensland25.7°C
Kawana BeachQueensland25.7°C
Main Beach GCQueensland25.7°C
Frenchmans BeachQueensland25.7°C
Coolangatta BeachQueensland25.6°C
Bulcock BeachQueensland25.6°C
Alexandria BayQueensland25.6°C
Currumbin BeachQueensland25.5°C
Alexandra HeadlandQueensland25.5°C
Rainbow BayQueensland25.5°C
Kawana BeachQueensland25.5°C
Cape Hillsborough BeachQueensland25.5°C
The Strand TownsvilleQueensland25.4°C
Trinity BeachQueensland25.4°C
Four Mile BeachQueensland25.4°C
Cape Tribulation BeachQueensland25.4°C
Cylinder BeachQueensland25.4°C
Yorkeys KnobQueensland25.4°C
Holloways BeachQueensland25.4°C
Main Beach Gold CoastQueensland25.3°C
South Stradbroke BeachQueensland25.3°C
Home Beach StraddieQueensland25.3°C
Little Cove NoosaQueensland25.3°C
Hellfire BayWestern Australia21.7°C
Hamelin BayWestern Australia21.6°C
Mandurah Town BeachWestern Australia21.5°C
Gnarabup BeachWestern Australia21.5°C
Sorrento Beach WAWestern Australia21.5°C
Burns Beach WAWestern Australia21.5°C
Little Salmon BayWestern Australia21.5°C
Blue Haven BeachWestern Australia21.5°C
Eagle BayWestern Australia21.4°C
Lakeside NingalooWestern Australia21.4°C
Scarborough BeachWestern Australia21.3°C
Hillarys BeachWestern Australia21.3°C
Lancelin BeachWestern Australia21.3°C
Meelup BeachWestern Australia21.3°C
Rockingham BeachWestern Australia21.2°C
Twilight BeachWestern Australia21.2°C
Elephant RocksWestern Australia21.2°C
Yallingup BeachWestern Australia21.2°C
Pinky BeachWestern Australia21.2°C
Redgate BeachWestern Australia21.2°C
West Beach EsperanceWestern Australia21.2°C
Misery BeachWestern Australia21.1°C
Yanchep BeachWestern Australia21.1°C
Jurien BayWestern Australia21.1°C
Frenchman Bay AlbanyWestern Australia21.1°C
Greens PoolWestern Australia21.0°C
Cervantes BeachWestern Australia21.0°C
Osprey BayWestern Australia21.0°C
Trigg BeachWestern Australia20.9°C
Prevelly BeachWestern Australia20.9°C
The BasinWestern Australia20.9°C
Mettams PoolWestern Australia20.8°C
Mindarie BeachWestern Australia20.8°C
Cosy Corner WAWestern Australia20.8°C
Bondi BeachNew South Wales20.7°C
Byron Main BeachNew South Wales20.7°C
Forster Main BeachNew South Wales20.7°C
Mullaloo BeachWestern Australia20.7°C
Penguin IslandWestern Australia20.7°C
Meelup BeachWestern Australia20.7°C
Turquoise BayWestern Australia20.7°C
Evans Head BeachNew South Wales20.7°C
Injidup BeachWestern Australia20.7°C
Thistle CoveWestern Australia20.7°C
Bronte BeachNew South Wales20.6°C
Kiama BeachNew South Wales20.6°C
Werri BeachNew South Wales20.6°C
Merimbula MainNew South Wales20.6°C
Cottesloe BeachWestern Australia20.6°C
Floreat BeachWestern Australia20.6°C
Bunker BayWestern Australia20.6°C
Smiths BeachWestern Australia20.6°C
Coral Bay BeachWestern Australia20.6°C
Rose Bay BeachNew South Wales20.6°C
Congwong BeachNew South Wales20.6°C
Wanda BeachNew South Wales20.6°C
Fingal Beach NSWNew South Wales20.6°C
Diggers BeachNew South Wales20.6°C
Cosy CornerTasmania20.6°C
Town Beach BroomeWestern Australia20.6°C
Reddell BeachWestern Australia20.6°C
Tamarama BeachNew South Wales20.5°C
Maroubra BeachNew South Wales20.5°C
Lennox HeadNew South Wales20.5°C
Kingscliff BeachNew South Wales20.5°C
Terrigal BeachNew South Wales20.5°C
Sorrento Beach PerthWestern Australia20.5°C
Lucky BayWestern Australia20.5°C
Ettalong BeachNew South Wales20.5°C
Killcare BeachNew South Wales20.5°C
Angourie BeachNew South Wales20.5°C
Kalbarri BeachWestern Australia20.5°C
Basil BayWestern Australia20.5°C
Eagle BayWestern Australia20.5°C
Emu Point BeachWestern Australia20.5°C
Whale BeachNew South Wales20.4°C
WattamollaNew South Wales20.4°C
North WollongongNew South Wales20.4°C
Cabarita BeachNew South Wales20.4°C
Nobbys BeachNew South Wales20.4°C
City BeachWestern Australia20.4°C
Bungan BeachNew South Wales20.4°C
Vincentia BeachNew South Wales20.4°C
Cave BeachNew South Wales20.4°C
Hobart Long BeachTasmania20.4°C
Smiths Beach WAWestern Australia20.4°C
Camp CoveNew South Wales20.3°C
Austinmer BeachNew South Wales20.3°C
Hyams BeachNew South Wales20.3°C
Pambula BeachNew South Wales20.3°C
Tallow BeachNew South Wales20.3°C
Cable BeachWestern Australia20.3°C
Middleton BeachWestern Australia20.3°C
Milk BeachNew South Wales20.3°C
Chinamans Beach JervisNew South Wales20.3°C
Kingston Beach TASTasmania20.3°C
Boat Harbour BeachTasmania20.3°C
Sandy Bay ExmouthWestern Australia20.3°C
Salmon Beach EsperanceWestern Australia20.3°C
Avoca BeachNew South Wales20.2°C
Little Bay BeachNew South Wales20.2°C
Bar BeachNew South Wales20.2°C
Hat Head BeachNew South Wales20.2°C
Nambucca Heads BeachNew South Wales20.2°C
Friendly BeachesTasmania20.2°C
Coogee BeachNew South Wales20.1°C
Manly BeachNew South Wales20.1°C
Curl Curl BeachNew South Wales20.1°C
Avalon BeachNew South Wales20.1°C
Lady Bay BeachNew South Wales20.1°C
Shark BeachNew South Wales20.1°C
Frenchmans BayNew South Wales20.1°C
Broken Head BeachNew South Wales20.1°C
Callala BeachNew South Wales20.1°C
Store BeachNew South Wales20.0°C
Clovelly BeachNew South Wales20.0°C
Umina BeachNew South Wales20.0°C
South West Rocks BeachNew South Wales20.0°C
Woolgoolga BeachNew South Wales20.0°C
Narrabeen BeachNew South Wales19.9°C
Trial BayNew South Wales19.9°C
Park Beach CoffsNew South Wales19.9°C
One Mile Beach ForsterNew South Wales19.9°C
Catherine Hill BayNew South Wales19.9°C
Chinamans BeachNew South Wales19.9°C
Bilgola BeachNew South Wales19.9°C
Elouera BeachNew South Wales19.9°C
Cronulla BeachNew South Wales19.8°C
Dee Why BeachNew South Wales19.8°C
Belongil BeachNew South Wales19.8°C
Sawtell BeachNew South Wales19.8°C
Birubi BeachNew South Wales19.8°C
Wamberal BeachNew South Wales19.8°C
Nielsen ParkNew South Wales19.8°C
Collins Flat BeachNew South Wales19.8°C
Malabar BeachNew South Wales19.8°C
Copacabana Beach NSWNew South Wales19.8°C
Wollongong City BeachNew South Wales19.7°C
Jervis Bay BeachNew South Wales19.7°C
Wategos BeachNew South Wales19.7°C
Hat Head BeachNew South Wales19.7°C
Coffs Jetty BeachNew South Wales19.7°C
Parsley BayNew South Wales19.7°C
Long Reef BeachNew South Wales19.7°C
Tura BeachNew South Wales19.7°C
Seven Mile Beach TASTasmania19.7°C
Thirroul BeachNew South Wales19.6°C
Dixon Park BeachNew South Wales19.6°C
Shoal Bay NSWNew South Wales19.6°C
Diamond Beach NSWNew South Wales19.6°C
Yamba Main BeachNew South Wales19.6°C
Fingal Head BeachNew South Wales19.6°C
Blenheim BeachNew South Wales19.6°C
Bay of FiresTasmania19.6°C
Freshwater BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Mona Vale BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Newport BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Garie BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Pebbly BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Stockton BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Redleaf BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Warriewood BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Gordons BayNew South Wales19.5°C
North Cronulla BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Newcastle BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Zenith BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Crescent Head BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Iluka Bluff BeachNew South Wales19.5°C
Collaroy BeachNew South Wales19.4°C
Stanwell ParkNew South Wales19.4°C
Tathra BeachNew South Wales19.4°C
Merewether BeachNew South Wales19.4°C
One Mile BeachNew South Wales19.4°C
The PassNew South Wales19.4°C
Cradle Mountain Dove Lake BeachTasmania19.4°C
Sisters BeachTasmania19.4°C
Balmoral BeachNew South Wales19.3°C
Mollymook BeachNew South Wales19.3°C
Port Stephens Shoal BayNew South Wales19.3°C
Clontarf BeachNew South Wales19.3°C
Pebbly Beach NSWNew South Wales19.3°C
Wineglass BayTasmania19.3°C
Henley BeachSouth Australia17.7°C
Glenelg BeachSouth Australia17.6°C
Sellicks BeachSouth Australia17.5°C
Somerton BeachSouth Australia17.4°C
Grange BeachSouth Australia17.4°C
Emu BaySouth Australia17.4°C
Horseshoe Bay Pt ElliotSouth Australia17.3°C
Second Valley BeachSouth Australia17.2°C
Victor Harbor BeachSouth Australia17.1°C
Maslin BeachSouth Australia16.9°C
Port Noarlunga BeachSouth Australia16.9°C
Semaphore BeachSouth Australia16.8°C
Aldinga BeachSouth Australia16.8°C
Christies BeachSouth Australia16.8°C
Horseshoe Bay SASouth Australia16.8°C
Inverloch Surf BeachVictoria16.7°C
Elwood BeachVictoria16.7°C
Point Leo BeachVictoria16.7°C
Fishermans Beach TorquayVictoria16.7°C
Middleton Beach SASouth Australia16.7°C
Brighton Beach SASouth Australia16.6°C
Port WillungaSouth Australia16.6°C
Rye Front BeachVictoria16.6°C
WinkipopVictoria16.6°C
Rapid Bay BeachSouth Australia16.6°C
Mentone BeachVictoria16.5°C
Sorrento Front BeachVictoria16.5°C
West BeachSouth Australia16.5°C
Largs BaySouth Australia16.5°C
St Kilda BeachVictoria16.4°C
Portsea BeachVictoria16.4°C
Anglesea Main BeachVictoria16.4°C
Bells BeachVictoria16.3°C
Lorne BeachVictoria16.3°C
Apollo Bay BeachVictoria16.3°C
Vivonne BaySouth Australia16.3°C
Stokes BaySouth Australia16.3°C
Mordialloc BeachVictoria16.2°C
Jan JucVictoria16.2°C
Mount Martha BeachVictoria16.1°C
Aspendale BeachVictoria16.1°C
Rosebud BeachVictoria16.1°C
Aireys Inlet BeachVictoria16.1°C
Sandringham BeachVictoria16.0°C
Frankston BeachVictoria15.9°C
Mallacoota BeachVictoria15.9°C
Half Moon BayVictoria15.9°C
Smiths BeachVictoria15.9°C
Phillip Island SmithsVictoria15.8°C
Mornington Main BeachVictoria15.8°C
Kennett River BeachVictoria15.8°C
Sorrento Back BeachVictoria15.7°C
Brighton BeachVictoria15.6°C
Hampton BeachVictoria15.6°C
Wye River BeachVictoria15.6°C
Cape WoolamaiVictoria15.5°C
Ventnor BeachVictoria15.5°C
Cowes BeachVictoria15.5°C
Marengo BeachVictoria15.5°C
Torquay Front BeachVictoria15.4°C
Gunnamatta BeachVictoria15.4°C
Gunnamatta BeachVictoria15.3°C
Lakes Entrance 90 MileVictoria15.3°C

Sea temperature in Australia — FAQ

How warm is the sea in Australia in November?

The sea off Australia averages about 20.0°C in November, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.

When is the best time to swim in Australia?

Australia is warmest in January (around 22.0°C) and coldest in July (around 15.0°C). There are typically 3 months a year when the water sits above 22°C.

What is the average yearly sea temperature in Australia?

Across all twelve months, the sea in Australia averages about 18.6°C.

Do you need a wetsuit to swim in Australia?

In peak season (around January, ~22.0°C) most swimmers are comfortable without a wetsuit. Outside summer, when the water drops toward 15.0°C, a 3/2mm to 5/4mm wetsuit is recommended.