Lady Elliot Island Water Temperature
Updated Tue 12:30 (Australia/Brisbane)
Australia · Forecast updated Sep 22, 2026, 12:30 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
23.1°C
73.6°F
Mild water
Valid Sep 22, 2026, 12:30 (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 September average is 22.9°C (73.2°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Warming by 0.4°C
Seven-day average: 23.2°C, versus 22.8°C in the prior seven days.
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 Lady Elliot Island, typical monthly averages range from about 22.3°C (72.1°F) in July to 28.2°C (82.8°F) in February.
Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Lady Elliot Island has been 22.6°C.
Historical baseline (full year)
Southern Hemisphere. Summer is generally December–February; winter is June–August.
Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Lady Elliot Island, calculated from hourly observations for 2023–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.
| Month | Typical range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| January | 26.7–28.5°C | 27.6°C / 81.7°F |
| February | 27.8–28.5°C | 28.2°C / 82.8°F |
| March | 27.3–27.9°C | 27.6°C / 81.7°F |
| April | 26.6–27.0°C | 26.8°C / 80.2°F |
| May | 24.9–25.2°C | 25.0°C / 77.0°F |
| June | 23.1–23.7°C | 23.4°C / 74.1°F |
| July | 21.9–22.6°C | 22.3°C / 72.1°F |
| August | 22.3–22.6°C | 22.4°C / 72.3°F |
| September | 22.8–23.1°C | 22.9°C / 73.2°F |
| October | 23.7–24.2°C | 23.9°C / 75.0°F |
| November | 24.7–25.7°C | 25.3°C / 77.5°F |
| December | 26.4–27.1°C | 26.9°C / 80.4°F |
Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (-24.13, 152.71). 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.
Lady Elliot Island in January
Typical January water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 27.6°C (81.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.7–28.5°C.
Lady Elliot Island in February
Typical February water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 28.2°C (82.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.8–28.5°C.
Lady Elliot Island in March
Typical March water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 27.6°C (81.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.3–27.9°C.
Lady Elliot Island in April
Typical April water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 26.8°C (80.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.6–27.0°C.
Lady Elliot Island in May
Typical May water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 25.0°C (77.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.9–25.2°C.
Lady Elliot Island in June
Typical June water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 23.4°C (74.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.1–23.7°C.
Lady Elliot Island in July
Typical July water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 22.3°C (72.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 21.9–22.6°C.
Lady Elliot Island in August
Typical August water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 22.4°C (72.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.3–22.6°C.
Lady Elliot Island in September
Typical September water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 22.9°C (73.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.8–23.1°C.
Lady Elliot Island in October
Typical October water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 23.9°C (75.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.7–24.2°C.
Lady Elliot Island in November
Typical November water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 25.3°C (77.5°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.7–25.7°C.
Lady Elliot Island in December
Typical December water temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 26.9°C (80.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.4–27.1°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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 22.5°C / 72.5°F | 23.1°C / 73.6°F | 24.1°C / 75.4°F |
| July | 21.2°C / 70.2°F | 22.1°C / 71.8°F | 23.1°C / 73.6°F |
| August | 21.2°C / 70.2°F | 21.7°C / 71.1°F | 22.5°C / 72.5°F |
| September | 22.2°C / 72.0°F | 22.8°C / 73.0°F | 23.6°C / 74.5°F |
Partial coverage: 4 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 2733 hourly forecast records across 4 monthly periods. This is a growing archive, not a long-term climate normal.
About the water at Lady Elliot Island
Southern Great Barrier Reef coral cay renowned for manta rays and turtles.
- Area
- Queensland
Lady Elliot Island Water Temperature: Common Questions
What is the water temperature in Lady Elliot Island today?
The current sea surface temperature near Lady Elliot Island is 23.1°C (73.6°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 22.6°C.
When is the water warmest in Lady Elliot Island?
The water is typically warmest in February, at around 28.2°C (82.8°F) in the 2023–2025 historical baseline.
When is the water coldest in Lady Elliot Island?
The water is typically coldest in July, at around 22.3°C (72.1°F) in the same historical baseline.
Can you swim in Lady Elliot Island today?
At 23.1°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 Lady Elliot Island.
View Snorkel Forecast →