INSTRUMENT / SEA TEMPERATURE
Michaelmas Cay Water Temperature
Updated Sun 18:40 (Australia/Brisbane)
Australia · Forecast updated Nov 1, 2026, 18:40 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
27.2°C
81.0°F
Warm water
Valid Nov 1, 2026, 18:40 (Australia/Brisbane). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
0.5°C below
The typical November average is 27.7°C (81.9°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Warming by 0.9°C
Seven-day average: 27.0°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 Michaelmas Cay, typical monthly averages range from about 23.6°C (74.5°F) in August to 29.6°C (85.3°F) in January.
Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Michaelmas Cay has been 25.6°C.
Historical baseline (full year)
Southern Hemisphere. Summer is generally December–February; winter is June–August.
Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Michaelmas Cay, calculated from hourly observations for 2023–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.
| Month | Typical range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| January | 29.1–29.9°C | 29.6°C / 85.3°F |
| February | 29.0–30.0°C | 29.5°C / 85.1°F |
| March | 28.9–29.2°C | 29.0°C / 84.2°F |
| April | 27.9–28.9°C | 28.3°C / 82.9°F |
| May | 25.7–26.1°C | 25.9°C / 78.6°F |
| June | 24.4–24.9°C | 24.6°C / 76.3°F |
| July | 23.8–24.3°C | 24.0°C / 75.2°F |
| August | 23.4–24.1°C | 23.6°C / 74.5°F |
| September | 24.4–25.1°C | 24.7°C / 76.5°F |
| October | 25.6–26.8°C | 26.2°C / 79.2°F |
| November | 26.8–28.7°C | 27.7°C / 81.9°F |
| December | 28.0–29.3°C | 28.7°C / 83.7°F |
Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (-16.63, 145.96). 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.
Michaelmas Cay in January
Typical January water temperature near Michaelmas Cay is 29.6°C (85.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 29.1–29.9°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: December 28.7°C · February 29.5°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay sea temperature in January, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Michaelmas Cay in February
Typical February water temperature near Michaelmas Cay is 29.5°C (85.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 29.0–30.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: January 29.6°C · March 29.0°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay sea temperature in February, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Michaelmas Cay in March
Typical March water temperature near Michaelmas Cay is 29.0°C (84.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 28.9–29.2°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: February 29.5°C · April 28.3°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay sea temperature in March, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Michaelmas Cay in April
Typical April water temperature near Michaelmas Cay is 28.3°C (82.9°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 29.0°C · May 25.9°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay sea temperature in April, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Michaelmas Cay in May
Typical May water temperature near Michaelmas Cay is 25.9°C (78.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 25.7–26.1°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: April 28.3°C · June 24.6°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay sea temperature in May, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Michaelmas Cay in June
Typical June water temperature near Michaelmas Cay is 24.6°C (76.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.4–24.9°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: May 25.9°C · July 24.0°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay sea temperature in June, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Michaelmas Cay in July
Typical July water temperature near Michaelmas Cay 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 24.6°C · August 23.6°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay sea temperature in July, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Michaelmas Cay in August
Typical August water temperature near Michaelmas Cay is 23.6°C (74.5°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 24.7°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay sea temperature in August, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Michaelmas Cay in September
Typical September water temperature near Michaelmas Cay 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: August 23.6°C · October 26.2°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay sea temperature in September, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Michaelmas Cay in October
Typical October water temperature near Michaelmas Cay is 26.2°C (79.2°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 24.7°C · November 27.7°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay sea temperature in October, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Michaelmas Cay in November
Typical November water temperature near Michaelmas Cay is 27.7°C (81.9°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.8–28.7°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: October 26.2°C · December 28.7°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay sea temperature in November, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Michaelmas Cay in December
Typical December water temperature near Michaelmas Cay is 28.7°C (83.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 28.0–29.3°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: November 27.7°C · January 29.6°C.
Explore Michaelmas Cay 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 | 23.3°C / 73.9°F | 23.7°C / 74.7°F | 24.1°C / 75.4°F |
| October | 23.4°C / 74.1°F | 25.5°C / 77.8°F | 27.5°C / 81.5°F |
| November | 27.2°C / 81.0°F | 27.5°C / 81.5°F | 28.0°C / 82.4°F |
Partial coverage: 3 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 1161 hourly forecast records across 3 monthly periods. This is a growing archive, not a long-term climate normal.
About the water at Michaelmas Cay
Outer-reef sand cay off Cairns used for lagoon snorkeling beside a seabird sanctuary.
- Area
- Queensland
Michaelmas Cay Water Temperature: Common Questions
What is the water temperature in Michaelmas Cay today?
The current sea surface temperature near Michaelmas Cay is 27.2°C (81.0°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 25.6°C.
When is the water warmest in Michaelmas Cay?
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 Michaelmas Cay?
The water is typically coldest in August, at around 23.6°C (74.5°F) in the same historical baseline.
Can you swim in Michaelmas Cay today?
At 27.2°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 Michaelmas Cay.
View Snorkel Forecast →