Hastings Reef Water Temperature

Updated Thu 11:21 (Australia/Brisbane)

Australia · Forecast updated Sep 17, 2026, 11:21 UTC

← Snorkel forecast for Hastings Reef

Current Sea Temperature

24.1°C

75.4°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

1.0°C below

The typical September average is 25.1°C (77.2°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 Hastings Reef, typical monthly averages range from about 24.1°C (75.4°F) in August to 29.8°C (85.6°F) in January.

Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Hastings Reef has been 24.2°C.

Historical baseline (full year)

Southern Hemisphere. Summer is generally December–February; winter is June–August.

Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Hastings Reef, calculated from hourly observations for 2023–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.

Month Typical range Average
January 29.3–30.1°C 29.8°C / 85.6°F
February 29.0–30.3°C 29.6°C / 85.3°F
March 29.0–29.3°C 29.1°C / 84.4°F
April 27.7–28.8°C 28.2°C / 82.8°F
May 25.6–26.0°C 25.8°C / 78.4°F
June 24.3–25.6°C 24.9°C / 76.8°F
July 24.1–24.5°C 24.3°C / 75.7°F
August 23.8–24.5°C 24.1°C / 75.4°F
September 24.7–25.5°C 25.1°C / 77.2°F
October 25.8–27.0°C 26.4°C / 79.5°F
November 27.0–29.1°C 27.9°C / 82.2°F
December 28.4–29.6°C 29.0°C / 84.2°F

Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (-16.54, 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.

Hastings Reef in January

Typical January water temperature near Hastings Reef is 29.8°C (85.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 29.3–30.1°C.

Hastings Reef in February

Typical February water temperature near Hastings Reef is 29.6°C (85.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 29.0–30.3°C.

Hastings Reef in March

Typical March water temperature near Hastings Reef is 29.1°C (84.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 29.0–29.3°C.

Hastings Reef in April

Typical April water temperature near Hastings Reef is 28.2°C (82.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.7–28.8°C.

Hastings Reef in May

Typical May water temperature near Hastings Reef is 25.8°C (78.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 25.6–26.0°C.

Hastings Reef in June

Typical June water temperature near Hastings Reef is 24.9°C (76.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.3–25.6°C.

Hastings Reef in July

Typical July water temperature near Hastings Reef is 24.3°C (75.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.1–24.5°C.

Hastings Reef in August

Typical August water temperature near Hastings Reef is 24.1°C (75.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.8–24.5°C.

Hastings Reef in September

Typical September water temperature near Hastings Reef is 25.1°C (77.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.7–25.5°C.

Hastings Reef in October

Typical October water temperature near Hastings Reef is 26.4°C (79.5°F), with yearly monthly means from 25.8–27.0°C.

Hastings Reef in November

Typical November water temperature near Hastings Reef is 27.9°C (82.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.0–29.1°C.

Hastings Reef in December

Typical December water temperature near Hastings Reef is 29.0°C (84.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 28.4–29.6°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 23.6°C / 74.5°F 24.0°C / 75.2°F 24.4°C / 75.9°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 Hastings Reef

Outer reef north-east of Cairns with coral gardens that need a boat and a calm-sea window.

Area
Queensland

Hastings Reef Water Temperature: Common Questions

What is the water temperature in Hastings Reef today?

The current sea surface temperature near Hastings Reef is 24.1°C (75.4°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 24.2°C.

When is the water warmest in Hastings Reef?

The water is typically warmest in January, at around 29.8°C (85.6°F) in the 2023–2025 historical baseline.

When is the water coldest in Hastings Reef?

The water is typically coldest in August, at around 24.1°C (75.4°F) in the same historical baseline.

Can you swim in Hastings Reef today?

At 24.1°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 Hastings Reef.

View Snorkel Forecast →