INSTRUMENT / SEA TEMPERATURE
Arlington Reef Water Temperature
Updated Sun 12:18 (Australia/Brisbane)
Australia · Forecast updated Nov 1, 2026, 12:18 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
27.7°C
81.9°F
Warm water
Valid Nov 1, 2026, 12:18 (Australia/Brisbane). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
Close to average
The typical November average is 27.8°C (82.0°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Warming by 1.2°C
Seven-day average: 27.2°C, versus 26.0°C in the prior seven days.
What to wear
Warm water
Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
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 25.7°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.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: December 28.8°C · February 29.6°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in January, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: January 29.6°C · March 29.1°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in February, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: February 29.6°C · April 28.4°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in March, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: March 29.1°C · May 26.0°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in April, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: April 28.4°C · June 24.7°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in May, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: May 26.0°C · July 24.0°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in June, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: June 24.7°C · August 23.7°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in July, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: July 24.0°C · September 24.8°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in August, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: August 23.7°C · October 26.3°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in September, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: September 24.8°C · November 27.8°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in October, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: October 26.3°C · December 28.8°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in November, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: November 27.8°C · January 29.6°C.
Explore Arlington Reef sea temperature in December, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
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 | 23.7°C / 74.7°F | 24.4°C / 75.9°F |
| October | 23.4°C / 74.1°F | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 27.9°C / 82.2°F |
| November | 27.6°C / 81.7°F | 27.8°C / 82.1°F | 28.1°C / 82.6°F |
Partial coverage: 3 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 1155 hourly forecast records across 3 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 27.7°C (81.9°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 25.7°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 27.7°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 →