Victoria is a coastal area of Australia on the Bass Strait, with 40 tracked beaches. The sea here ranges from about 15°C in the coolest month to 22°C at the summer peak, with roughly 5 months a year sitting above 20°C — the level most swimmers describe as pleasant without a wetsuit. Use the beach list below to check the current sea temperature at each spot before you head out.
Victoria
40 tracked beaches in Victoria, Australia, with live Bass Strait temperatures.
Sea
Bass Strait
Avg sea temp now
12.9°C
Best months
November – March
Best time to swim in Victoria
The sea in Victoria 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.
Victoria sits in the Southern Hemisphere, so the warmest sea coincides with the December–February summer and the coolest with July–August.
Victoria sea temperature history
Long-term climatology for Victoria 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 Victoria, 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
Values are area averages; individual beaches vary by exposure and depth.
Victoria sea temperature: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month to swim in Victoria?
January is the warmest month in Victoria, when the sea averages about 19°C. Late-season warmth often persists a few weeks after peak.
When is the sea coldest in Victoria?
The coldest month in Victoria is typically July, when the water averages around 12°C. Cold-water swimmers and surfers dominate this period.
When can you swim in Victoria without a wetsuit?
The sea in Victoria 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 Victoria?
Outside peak summer the water in Victoria 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 Victoria?
The long-term annual mean sea temperature in Victoria is about 16°C, based on multi-decadal climatology of the surrounding waters.
How do I check the current sea temperature in Victoria?
The live reading at the top of this page shows the current sea temperature in Victoria, 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 Victoria
Ranked by current live sea temperature.
- 1Mentone BeachMentone, Australia13.6°C
- 2Mordialloc BeachMordialloc, Australia13.6°C
- 3Elwood BeachMelbourne, Australia13.6°C
- 4Mornington Main BeachMornington, Australia13.6°C
- 5Ventnor BeachPhillip Island, Australia13.5°C
- 6Cape WoolamaiPhillip Island, Australia13.4°C
- 7Rye Front BeachRye, Australia13.4°C
- 8Smiths BeachPhillip Island, Australia13.4°C
- 9Lakes Entrance 90 MileLakes Entrance, Australia13.3°C
- 10Mallacoota BeachMallacoota, Australia13.3°C
- 11Lorne BeachLorne, Australia13.2°C
- 12Sorrento Back BeachSorrento, Australia13.2°C
- 13Fishermans Beach TorquayTorquay, Australia13.2°C
- 14Marengo BeachMarengo, Australia13.2°C
- 15Aspendale BeachMelbourne, Australia13.1°C
- 16Point Leo BeachPoint Leo, Australia13.1°C
- 17St Kilda BeachMelbourne, Australia13.0°C
- 18Torquay Front BeachTorquay, Australia12.9°C
- 19Frankston BeachFrankston, Australia12.8°C
- 20Gunnamatta BeachRye, Australia12.8°C
- 21Cowes BeachCowes, Australia12.8°C
- 22Sorrento Front BeachSorrento, Australia12.7°C
- 23Portsea BeachPortsea, Australia12.7°C
- 24WinkipopTorquay, Australia12.7°C
- 25Aireys Inlet BeachAireys Inlet, Australia12.7°C
- 26Brighton BeachBrighton, Australia12.6°C
- 27Sandringham BeachSandringham, Australia12.6°C
- 28Bells BeachTorquay, Australia12.6°C
- 29Rosebud BeachRosebud, Australia12.6°C
- 30Mount Martha BeachMount Martha, Australia12.5°C
- 31Apollo Bay BeachApollo Bay, Australia12.5°C
- 32Anglesea Main BeachAnglesea, Australia12.5°C
- 33Half Moon BayMelbourne, Australia12.5°C
- 34Gunnamatta BeachRye, Australia12.5°C
- 35Inverloch Surf BeachInverloch, Australia12.4°C
- 36Hampton BeachMelbourne, Australia12.4°C
- 37Wye River BeachWye River, Australia12.4°C
- 38Kennett River BeachKennett River, Australia12.4°C
- 39Jan JucTorquay, Australia12.3°C
- 40Phillip Island SmithsPhillip Island, Australia12.3°C
Swimming in the Victoria — FAQ
How warm is the sea in the Victoria in September?
The Bass Strait off the Victoria averages about 13.0°C in September, based on long-term monthly averages for this coast.
When is the best time to swim in the Victoria?
The Victoria is warmest in January (around 19.0°C) and coldest in July (around 12.0°C). There are typically 0 months a year when the water sits above 22°C.
What is the average yearly sea temperature in the Victoria?
Across all twelve months, the sea in the Victoria averages about 15.5°C.
Do you need a wetsuit to swim in the Victoria?
The sea in the Victoria stays below 22°C even at its warmest (~19.0°C in January), so a 3/2mm or thicker wetsuit is recommended for longer swims year-round.