Arlington Reef Water Temperature
Updated Thu 11:21 (Australia/Brisbane)
Australia · Forecast updated Sep 17, 2026, 11:21 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
23.7°C
74.7°F
Mild water
Valid Sep 17, 2026, 11:21 (Australia/Brisbane). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
1.1°C below
The typical September average is 24.8°C (76.6°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
At least two weeks of records are needed before showing a reliable trend.
What to wear
Mild water
A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Cold tolerance varies. Wind, session length, sunshine, and exertion also affect comfort; temperature alone does not describe sea conditions or replace the snorkel forecast.
Typical Sea Temperature Over the Year
In the historical baseline for Arlington Reef, typical monthly averages range from about 23.7°C (74.7°F) in August to 29.6°C (85.3°F) in January.
Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Arlington Reef has been 23.7°C.
Historical baseline (full year)
Southern Hemisphere. Summer is generally December–February; winter is June–August.
Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Arlington Reef, calculated from hourly observations for 2023–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.
| Month | Typical range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| January | 29.1–30.0°C | 29.6°C / 85.3°F |
| February | 29.0–30.1°C | 29.6°C / 85.3°F |
| March | 29.0–29.2°C | 29.1°C / 84.4°F |
| April | 27.9–28.9°C | 28.4°C / 83.1°F |
| May | 25.8–26.1°C | 26.0°C / 78.8°F |
| June | 24.4–25.1°C | 24.7°C / 76.5°F |
| July | 23.8–24.3°C | 24.0°C / 75.2°F |
| August | 23.4–24.1°C | 23.7°C / 74.7°F |
| September | 24.4–25.1°C | 24.8°C / 76.6°F |
| October | 25.6–26.8°C | 26.3°C / 79.3°F |
| November | 26.9–29.0°C | 27.8°C / 82.0°F |
| December | 28.1–29.5°C | 28.8°C / 83.8°F |
Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (-16.71, 146.04). Each month is the mean of yearly monthly means; the range is the lowest and highest of those yearly monthly means. Open-Meteo methodology.
Water temperature by month
Each month uses the 2023–2025 baseline. The range is the lowest and highest yearly monthly mean, not an hourly extreme.
Arlington Reef in January
Typical January water temperature near Arlington Reef is 29.6°C (85.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 29.1–30.0°C.
Arlington Reef in February
Typical February water temperature near Arlington Reef is 29.6°C (85.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 29.0–30.1°C.
Arlington Reef in March
Typical March water temperature near Arlington Reef is 29.1°C (84.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 29.0–29.2°C.
Arlington Reef in April
Typical April water temperature near Arlington Reef is 28.4°C (83.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.9–28.9°C.
Arlington Reef in May
Typical May water temperature near Arlington Reef is 26.0°C (78.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 25.8–26.1°C.
Arlington Reef in June
Typical June water temperature near Arlington Reef is 24.7°C (76.5°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.4–25.1°C.
Arlington Reef in July
Typical July water temperature near Arlington Reef is 24.0°C (75.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.8–24.3°C.
Arlington Reef in August
Typical August water temperature near Arlington Reef is 23.7°C (74.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.4–24.1°C.
Arlington Reef in September
Typical September water temperature near Arlington Reef is 24.8°C (76.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.4–25.1°C.
Arlington Reef in October
Typical October water temperature near Arlington Reef is 26.3°C (79.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 25.6–26.8°C.
Arlington Reef in November
Typical November water temperature near Arlington Reef is 27.8°C (82.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.9–29.0°C.
Arlington Reef in December
Typical December water temperature near Arlington Reef is 28.8°C (83.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 28.1–29.5°C.
Forecast archive (growing)
These values come from hourly forecasts SnorkelForecast has stored. They cover only months with records and do not replace the historical baseline.
| Month | Min | Average | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 23.4°C / 74.1°F | 23.5°C / 74.3°F | 23.7°C / 74.7°F |
Partial coverage: 1 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 74 hourly forecast records across 1 monthly periods. This is a growing archive, not a long-term climate normal.
About the water at Arlington Reef
Large inner-shelf reef between Cairns and Port Douglas used on calmer inshore snorkel days.
- Area
- Queensland
Arlington Reef Water Temperature: Common Questions
What is the water temperature in Arlington Reef today?
The current sea surface temperature near Arlington Reef is 23.7°C (74.7°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 23.7°C.
When is the water warmest in Arlington Reef?
The water is typically warmest in January, at around 29.6°C (85.3°F) in the 2023–2025 historical baseline.
When is the water coldest in Arlington Reef?
The water is typically coldest in August, at around 23.7°C (74.7°F) in the same historical baseline.
Can you swim in Arlington Reef today?
At 23.7°C, the water is usually comfortable for swimming and snorkeling.
Full Snorkeling Forecast
See how today's sea temperature, wave height, wind, and tides combine into a detailed snorkeling score for Arlington Reef.
View Snorkel Forecast →