INSTRUMENT / SEA TEMPERATURE
Lord Howe Island Water Temperature
Updated Fri 20:18 (Australia/Brisbane)
Australia · Forecast updated Nov 6, 2026, 20:18 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
20.5°C
68.9°F
Cool water
Valid Nov 6, 2026, 20:18 (Australia/Brisbane). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
1.4°C below
The typical November average is 21.9°C (71.4°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Holding fairly steady
Seven-day average: 20.8°C, versus 20.9°C in the prior seven days.
What to wear
Cool water
A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
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 Lord Howe Island, typical monthly averages range from about 18.9°C (66.0°F) in August to 25.0°C (77.0°F) in February.
Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Lord Howe Island has been 20.8°C.
Historical baseline (full year)
Southern Hemisphere. Summer is generally December–February; winter is June–August.
Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Lord Howe Island, calculated from hourly observations for 2022–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.
| Month | Typical range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| January | 23.3–25.0°C | 24.2°C / 75.6°F |
| February | 24.0–26.0°C | 25.0°C / 77.0°F |
| March | 24.3–25.5°C | 24.8°C / 76.6°F |
| April | 23.7–24.0°C | 23.8°C / 74.8°F |
| May | 21.0–22.6°C | 22.0°C / 71.6°F |
| June | 19.9–21.8°C | 20.8°C / 69.4°F |
| July | 18.6–20.0°C | 19.4°C / 66.9°F |
| August | 18.6–19.5°C | 18.9°C / 66.0°F |
| September | 19.2–19.7°C | 19.4°C / 66.9°F |
| October | 19.9–20.4°C | 20.1°C / 68.2°F |
| November | 21.1–22.5°C | 21.9°C / 71.4°F |
| December | 21.3–24.2°C | 23.1°C / 73.6°F |
Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (-31.54, 159.04). 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 2022–2025 baseline. The range is the lowest and highest yearly monthly mean, not an hourly extreme.
Lord Howe Island in January
Typical January water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 24.2°C (75.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.3–25.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: December 23.1°C · February 25.0°C.
Explore Lord Howe Island sea temperature in January, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Lord Howe Island in February
Typical February water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 25.0°C (77.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.0–26.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: January 24.2°C · March 24.8°C.
Explore Lord Howe Island sea temperature in February, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Lord Howe Island in March
Typical March water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 24.8°C (76.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.3–25.5°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: February 25.0°C · April 23.8°C.
Explore Lord Howe Island sea temperature in March, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Lord Howe Island in April
Typical April water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 23.8°C (74.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.7–24.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: March 24.8°C · May 22.0°C.
Explore Lord Howe Island sea temperature in April, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Lord Howe Island in May
Typical May water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 22.0°C (71.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 21.0–22.6°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: April 23.8°C · June 20.8°C.
Explore Lord Howe Island sea temperature in May, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Lord Howe Island in June
Typical June water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 20.8°C (69.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 19.9–21.8°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: May 22.0°C · July 19.4°C.
Explore Lord Howe Island sea temperature in June, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Lord Howe Island in July
Typical July water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 19.4°C (66.9°F), with yearly monthly means from 18.6–20.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: June 20.8°C · August 18.9°C.
Explore Lord Howe Island sea temperature in July, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Lord Howe Island in August
Typical August water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 18.9°C (66.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 18.6–19.5°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: July 19.4°C · September 19.4°C.
Explore Lord Howe Island sea temperature in August, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Lord Howe Island in September
Typical September water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 19.4°C (66.9°F), with yearly monthly means from 19.2–19.7°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: August 18.9°C · October 20.1°C.
Lord Howe Island in October
Typical October water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 20.1°C (68.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 19.9–20.4°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: September 19.4°C · November 21.9°C.
Explore Lord Howe Island sea temperature in October, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Lord Howe Island in November
Typical November water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 21.9°C (71.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 21.1–22.5°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: October 20.1°C · December 23.1°C.
Explore Lord Howe Island sea temperature in November, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Lord Howe Island in December
Typical December water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 23.1°C (73.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 21.3–24.2°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: November 21.9°C · January 24.2°C.
Explore Lord Howe Island 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 19.2°C / 66.6°F | 20.3°C / 68.5°F | 21.4°C / 70.5°F |
| July | 19.0°C / 66.2°F | 19.4°C / 66.9°F | 19.8°C / 67.6°F |
| August | 19.2°C / 66.6°F | 19.5°C / 67.2°F | 19.9°C / 67.8°F |
| September | 19.4°C / 66.9°F | 19.7°C / 67.5°F | 21.0°C / 69.8°F |
| October | 20.0°C / 68.0°F | 20.7°C / 69.3°F | 21.4°C / 70.5°F |
| November | 20.0°C / 68.0°F | 20.6°C / 69.1°F | 21.7°C / 71.1°F |
Partial coverage: 6 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 3820 hourly forecast records across 6 monthly periods. This is a growing archive, not a long-term climate normal.
About the water at Lord Howe Island
World's southernmost coral reef, a clear-water lagoon with endemic fish.
- Area
- New South Wales
Lord Howe Island Water Temperature: Common Questions
What is the water temperature in Lord Howe Island today?
The current sea surface temperature near Lord Howe Island is 20.5°C (68.9°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 20.8°C.
When is the water warmest in Lord Howe Island?
The water is typically warmest in February, at around 25.0°C (77.0°F) in the 2022–2025 historical baseline.
When is the water coldest in Lord Howe Island?
The water is typically coldest in August, at around 18.9°C (66.0°F) in the same historical baseline. A wetsuit is usually recommended during this period.
Can you swim in Lord Howe Island today?
At 20.5°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 Lord Howe Island.
View Snorkel Forecast →