Coral Sea water along Australia's Queensland coast averages 26–29°C year-round, but stinger (box jellyfish) season runs November to May — most swimming during those months happens inside netted enclosures or on protected reef pontoons. Dry-season months (June – October) are the safest for open swimming.
Great Barrier Reef Coast
Tropical Queensland — Cairns, Whitsundays and beyond.
Sea
Coral Sea
Avg sea temp now
26.0°C
Best months
June – October (stinger-free)
Best time to swim in Great Barrier Reef Coast
The sea in Great Barrier Reef Coast peaks in February, when the water averages around 28°C.
The main swimming season runs from January – December, when surface temperatures stay comfortable for extended sessions.
On average, 12 months a year sit above 20°C — the threshold most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit.
The coldest month is typically July at around 22°C, when cold-water swimmers dominate the coast.
Great Barrier Reef Coast sits in the Southern Hemisphere, so the warmest sea coincides with the December–February summer and the coolest with July–August.
Great Barrier Reef Coast sea temperature history
Long-term climatology for Great Barrier Reef Coast shows an annual mean sea temperature of 25°C, ranging from 22°C in winter to 28°C at the summer peak.
The seasonal swing is roughly 6°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 Great Barrier Reef Coast, 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
27°C
Feb
28°C
Mar
27°C
Apr
26°C
May
24°C
Jun
23°C
Jul
22°C
Aug
22°C
Sep
23°C
Oct
25°C
Nov
26°C
Dec
27°C
Values are area averages; individual beaches vary by exposure and depth.
Great Barrier Reef Coast sea temperature: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month to swim in Great Barrier Reef Coast?
February is the warmest month in Great Barrier Reef Coast, when the sea averages about 28°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.
When is the sea coldest in Great Barrier Reef Coast?
The coldest month in Great Barrier Reef Coast is typically July, when the water averages around 22°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.
When can you swim in Great Barrier Reef Coast without a wetsuit?
The main swimming season in Great Barrier Reef Coast runs from January – December — about 12 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 Great Barrier Reef Coast?
Great Barrier Reef Coast stays warm year-round, so most swimmers never need a wetsuit — a rash guard is usually enough for sun and wildlife protection.
What is the average sea temperature in Great Barrier Reef Coast?
The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Great Barrier Reef Coast is about 25°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.
How do I check the current sea temperature in Great Barrier Reef Coast?
The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Great Barrier Reef Coast, updated hourly from marine buoy and satellite data. The 7-day forecast covers water, air, waves, wind and UV for the week ahead.
Beaches in the Great Barrier Reef Coast
Ranked by current live sea temperature.
- 1Burleigh HeadsGold Coast, Australia26.6°C
- 2Palm Beach Gold CoastGold Coast, Australia26.6°C
- 3Coolum BeachCoolum Beach, Australia26.6°C
- 4Whitehaven BeachWhitsundays, Australia26.6°C
- 5Airlie BeachAirlie Beach, Australia26.6°C
- 6Etty BayInnisfail, Australia26.6°C
- 7Kewarra BeachCairns, Australia26.6°C
- 8BroadbeachGold Coast, Australia26.5°C
- 9Ellis BeachEllis Beach, Australia26.5°C
- 10The SpitMain Beach, Australia26.5°C
- 11Dicky BeachCaloundra, Australia26.5°C
- 12Hervey Bay BeachHervey Bay, Australia26.5°C
- 13Peregian BeachPeregian Beach, Australia26.4°C
- 14Agnes WaterAgnes Water, Australia26.4°C
- 15Magnetic Island HorseshoeMagnetic Island, Australia26.4°C
- 16Mission BeachMission Beach, Australia26.4°C
- 17Palm CovePalm Cove, Australia26.4°C
- 18Palm Beach QLDPalm Beach, Australia26.4°C
- 19Moffat BeachCaloundra, Australia26.4°C
- 20Kings BeachCaloundra, Australia26.3°C
- 21Granite BayNoosa Heads, Australia26.3°C
- 22Double Island PointRainbow Beach, Australia26.3°C
- 23Surfers ParadiseGold Coast, Australia26.2°C
- 24Mermaid BeachGold Coast, Australia26.2°C
- 25Greenmount BeachGold Coast, Australia26.2°C
- 26Kirra BeachGold Coast, Australia26.2°C
- 27Rainbow BeachRainbow Beach, Australia26.2°C
- 28Nobby BeachMermaid Beach, Australia26.2°C
- 29Main Beach NoosaNoosa Heads, Australia26.2°C
- 30Yeppoon BeachYeppoon, Australia26.2°C
- 31Sunshine BeachSunshine Beach, Australia26.1°C
- 32Bargara BeachBargara, Australia26.0°C
- 33Bingil BayBingil Bay, Australia26.0°C
- 34Tugun BeachTugun, Australia25.9°C
- 35Tea Tree BayNoosa Heads, Australia25.9°C
- 36Bilinga BeachGold Coast, Australia25.8°C
- 37Maroochydore BeachMaroochydore, Australia25.8°C
- 38Miami Beach QLDMiami, Australia25.8°C
- 39Main Beach StradbrokePoint Lookout, Australia25.8°C
- 40Deadmans Beach StraddiePoint Lookout, Australia25.8°C
- 41Snapper RocksGold Coast, Australia25.7°C
- 42Mooloolaba BeachMooloolaba, Australia25.7°C
- 43Kawana BeachKawana, Australia25.7°C
- 44Main Beach GCMain Beach, Australia25.7°C
- 45Frenchmans BeachPoint Lookout, Australia25.7°C
- 46Coolangatta BeachGold Coast, Australia25.6°C
- 47Bulcock BeachCaloundra, Australia25.6°C
- 48Alexandria BayNoosa Heads, Australia25.6°C
- 49Currumbin BeachGold Coast, Australia25.5°C
- 50Alexandra HeadlandAlexandra Headland, Australia25.5°C
- 51Rainbow BayCoolangatta, Australia25.5°C
- 52Kawana BeachBuddina, Australia25.5°C
- 53Cape Hillsborough BeachCape Hillsborough, Australia25.5°C
- 54The Strand TownsvilleTownsville, Australia25.4°C
- 55Trinity BeachTrinity Beach, Australia25.4°C
- 56Four Mile BeachPort Douglas, Australia25.4°C
- 57Cape Tribulation BeachCape Tribulation, Australia25.4°C
- 58Cylinder BeachPoint Lookout, Australia25.4°C
- 59Yorkeys KnobCairns, Australia25.4°C
- 60Holloways BeachCairns, Australia25.4°C
- 61Main Beach Gold CoastGold Coast, Australia25.3°C
- 62South Stradbroke BeachSouth Stradbroke Island, Australia25.3°C
- 63Home Beach StraddiePoint Lookout, Australia25.3°C
- 64Little Cove NoosaNoosa Heads, Australia25.3°C
Swimming in the Great Barrier Reef Coast — FAQ
How warm is the sea in the Great Barrier Reef Coast in November?
The Coral Sea off the Great Barrier Reef Coast averages about 26.0°C in November, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.
When is the best time to swim in the Great Barrier Reef Coast?
The Great Barrier Reef Coast is warmest in February (around 28.0°C) and coldest in July (around 22.0°C). There are typically 12 months a year when the water sits above 22°C.
What is the average yearly sea temperature in the Great Barrier Reef Coast?
Across all twelve months, the sea in the Great Barrier Reef Coast averages about 25.0°C.
Do you need a wetsuit to swim in the Great Barrier Reef Coast?
In peak season (around February, ~28.0°C) most swimmers are comfortable without a wetsuit. Outside summer, when the water drops toward 22.0°C, a 3/2mm to 5/4mm wetsuit is recommended.