Lord Howe Island Water Temperature
Updated Tue 14:52 (Australia/Brisbane)
Australia · Forecast updated Sep 22, 2026, 14:52 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
19.6°C
67.3°F
Cool water
Valid Sep 22, 2026, 14:52 (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 19.4°C (66.9°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Holding fairly steady
Seven-day average: 19.6°C, versus 19.7°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 19.6°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 2023–2025. 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 | 23.4–24.2°C | 23.7°C / 74.7°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 2023–2025 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lord Howe Island in December
Typical December water temperature near Lord Howe Island is 23.7°C (74.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.4–24.2°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 | 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 / 67.4°F | 20.1°C / 68.2°F |
Partial coverage: 4 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 2734 hourly forecast records across 4 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 19.6°C (67.3°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 19.6°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 2023–2025 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?
The water is 19.6°C. It may feel cool, but a wetsuit or short swims can help.
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 →