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
23.0°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.
- 1Moffat BeachCaloundra, Australia23.7°C
- 2Etty BayInnisfail, Australia23.7°C
- 3Sunshine BeachSunshine Beach, Australia23.6°C
- 4Four Mile BeachPort Douglas, Australia23.6°C
- 5Miami Beach QLDMiami, Australia23.6°C
- 6Deadmans Beach StraddiePoint Lookout, Australia23.6°C
- 7Tea Tree BayNoosa Heads, Australia23.6°C
- 8Burleigh HeadsGold Coast, Australia23.5°C
- 9The Strand TownsvilleTownsville, Australia23.5°C
- 10Ellis BeachEllis Beach, Australia23.5°C
- 11South Stradbroke BeachSouth Stradbroke Island, Australia23.5°C
- 12Kawana BeachBuddina, Australia23.5°C
- 13Granite BayNoosa Heads, Australia23.5°C
- 14Mermaid BeachGold Coast, Australia23.4°C
- 15Kawana BeachKawana, Australia23.4°C
- 16Greenmount BeachGold Coast, Australia23.3°C
- 17Mooloolaba BeachMooloolaba, Australia23.3°C
- 18Maroochydore BeachMaroochydore, Australia23.3°C
- 19Alexandra HeadlandAlexandra Headland, Australia23.3°C
- 20Whitehaven BeachWhitsundays, Australia23.3°C
- 21Kings BeachCaloundra, Australia23.3°C
- 22Main Beach Gold CoastGold Coast, Australia23.2°C
- 23Bilinga BeachGold Coast, Australia23.2°C
- 24Home Beach StraddiePoint Lookout, Australia23.2°C
- 25Holloways BeachCairns, Australia23.2°C
- 26Palm Beach Gold CoastGold Coast, Australia23.1°C
- 27Palm Beach QLDPalm Beach, Australia23.1°C
- 28Cylinder BeachPoint Lookout, Australia23.1°C
- 29Double Island PointRainbow Beach, Australia23.1°C
- 30Bargara BeachBargara, Australia23.1°C
- 31Yeppoon BeachYeppoon, Australia23.1°C
- 32Cape Hillsborough BeachCape Hillsborough, Australia23.1°C
- 33Kirra BeachGold Coast, Australia23.0°C
- 34Magnetic Island HorseshoeMagnetic Island, Australia23.0°C
- 35Nobby BeachMermaid Beach, Australia23.0°C
- 36Main Beach GCMain Beach, Australia23.0°C
- 37Snapper RocksGold Coast, Australia22.9°C
- 38Cape Tribulation BeachCape Tribulation, Australia22.9°C
- 39Rainbow BayCoolangatta, Australia22.9°C
- 40Currumbin BeachGold Coast, Australia22.8°C
- 41Peregian BeachPeregian Beach, Australia22.8°C
- 42Airlie BeachAirlie Beach, Australia22.8°C
- 43Palm CovePalm Cove, Australia22.8°C
- 44Trinity BeachTrinity Beach, Australia22.7°C
- 45Tugun BeachTugun, Australia22.7°C
- 46Little Cove NoosaNoosa Heads, Australia22.7°C
- 47Main Beach StradbrokePoint Lookout, Australia22.6°C
- 48Yorkeys KnobCairns, Australia22.6°C
- 49Surfers ParadiseGold Coast, Australia22.5°C
- 50Bulcock BeachCaloundra, Australia22.5°C
- 51Coolum BeachCoolum Beach, Australia22.5°C
- 52Rainbow BeachRainbow Beach, Australia22.5°C
- 53Agnes WaterAgnes Water, Australia22.5°C
- 54Frenchmans BeachPoint Lookout, Australia22.5°C
- 55Hervey Bay BeachHervey Bay, Australia22.5°C
- 56Bingil BayBingil Bay, Australia22.5°C
- 57Kewarra BeachCairns, Australia22.5°C
- 58BroadbeachGold Coast, Australia22.4°C
- 59Coolangatta BeachGold Coast, Australia22.4°C
- 60Mission BeachMission Beach, Australia22.4°C
- 61The SpitMain Beach, Australia22.4°C
- 62Dicky BeachCaloundra, Australia22.4°C
- 63Main Beach NoosaNoosa Heads, Australia22.4°C
- 64Alexandria BayNoosa Heads, Australia22.4°C
Swimming in the Great Barrier Reef Coast — FAQ
How warm is the sea in the Great Barrier Reef Coast in September?
The Coral Sea off the Great Barrier Reef Coast averages about 23.0°C in September, 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.