Friday
❌ Poor conditions
Main blocker: Waves
Port Douglas Snorkel Report Today
Australia · Updated Fri 00:33 (AEST) · Source: Snapshot
The skinny
Marginal Data updated Fri 00:33 (AEST)Port Douglas looks marginal today. The least-bad daylight window is around Fri 18:00, but waves is limiting the forecast.
Right now (forecast)
Poor · 0.0/10
Fri 00:00 (AEST)
Later today
Poor · 3.4/10
Fri 18:00 (AEST)
Next three days
Fair · 4.5/10
Sun 14:00 (AEST)
Model estimates using Open-Meteo; not observations or safety guarantees. Check official advisories and conditions at the beach.
Score: 3.4/10
Best time: Fri 18:00
Main risk: Waves
Best morning signal: Fri 10:00 (Poor).
Best afternoon signal: Fri 18:00 (Poor). Peak afternoon wind is about 8.2 m/s.
Best nearby spots later today
Weakest nearby later today
Plan your visit
These notes help with planning. Rules and closures can change.
AccessPort Douglas boats usually run to Low Isles or the Agincourt ribbon reefs. Check those site forecasts; the town beach is not the reef.
ParkingParking and boat-harbour rules vary by operator and town. Use marked spaces and never block ramps or residents.
ReservationsMany of the best reefs here are boat-only. Book a permitted operator and ask about weather cancellations.
ClosuresWind, swell, and park rules can close a site even when the town beach looks calm. Check the official source before entering.
Marine lifeDo not touch, chase, or feed marine life. Stay off coral and follow local park rules.
No good model window in the next 72 hours
Use the best-available section for the least-bad times.
3-day planner
Saturday
⚠️ Fair conditions
Main blocker: Waves
Sunday
⚠️ Fair conditions
Main blocker: Waves
Best available hours
- Sun 14:00: Fair (0.45) · still limited by waves
- Sun 15:00: Fair (0.45) · still limited by waves
- Sun 18:00: Fair (0.44) · still limited by waves, tide/current
Why this verdict
Main blockers across the next 72 hours:
- Waves (71 hours)
- Darkness (44 hours)
- Tide/current (43 hours)
Jellyfish drift risk
Drift estimate from wind, swell, current and warm water.
Low peak drift risk around Fri 14:00.
water is warm enough for occasional jellyfish; surface drift/current is noticeable; local shoreline exposure is not mapped yet.
Sightings override the model: if you see small purple jellyfish with long trailing tentacles, treat them as sting-capable and give them space.
Upcoming high tides
Next early morning high tide: Fri 06:00
Fri 06:00, Fri 17:00, Sat 06:00, Sat 18:00, Sun 06:00, Sun 18:00
Bookable snorkel tours near Port Douglas
Prices and availability from Viator. Check conditions before you book.
We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas
4.9/5
464 reviews
9h
From USD 268.07
Check availability
Free cancellation available
Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas
4.8/5
412 reviews
4h
From USD 178.23
Check availability
Free cancellation available
Silversonic 3 Outer Barrier Reef Sites in 1 Day from Port Douglas
4.8/5
549 reviews
10h
From USD 201.99
Check availability
Free cancellation available
Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas
4.8/5
364 reviews
5h 30m
From USD 264.45
Check availability
Free cancellation available
Quicksilver Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Cruise from Port Douglas
4.6/5
847 reviews
8h
From USD 244.88
Check availability
Free cancellation available
Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas
4.8/5
1454 reviews
8h
From USD 231.12
Check availability
Free cancellation available
Nearby snorkel spot map
Compare nearby spot forecasts for later today before choosing a beach.
Forecast spot map
Use the map to see where the compared spots sit. Open a card for the hourly forecast.
This is a location diagram, not a marine chart. Check the shore and local signs in person.
Nearby alternatives in Australia
Advanced forecast data
Viewing historical data
Tue 00:00 – Fri 00:00 (AEST)
Snorkel Score (selected 24h)
Best snorkel score is 0.0 around Thu 19:00; 0 of 5 hours are good, fair, or excellent.
Score trend, higher is better. Excellent ≥ 0.72, good 0.55–0.72, fair 0.35–0.55.
Conditions (24h trends)
Tap a chart to load just that series.
0/5 sampled hours stay at or below 0.36m (range 1.1m to 1.18m).
Wind is at or below 5.4m/s in 5/5 sampled hours (range 4.5 to 4.76m/s).
Tides range from 0.5m to 0.98m; 0 of 5 hours are in or near peak slack windows.
72-hour historical overview
Poor
❌ Limited
Poor
❌ Limited
Poor
❌ Limited
Poor
❌ Limited
Poor
❌ Limited
Scoring methodology (for technical users)
We score each hour from 0 to 1 using daylight and these weighted components:
- Wave height (35%): best below 0.36m, then decreases as it rises.
- Wind speed (25%): best below 5.4m/s, lower is better.
- Sea surface temperature (15%): best within 20.6°C to 30.4°C.
- Tide and currents (15%): best around slack/high-tide windows.
- Daylight (10%): visibility is better in daylight, so night hours score lower.
Detailed hourly data table
| Time | Wave (m) | Wind (m/s) | Sea temp (°C) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 19:00 | 1.18 · high | 4.76 · good | 24.10 · good | Poor |
| Thu 20:00 | 1.16 · high | 4.50 · good | 24.00 · good | Poor |
| Thu 21:00 | 1.12 · high | 4.74 · good | 24.00 · good | Poor |
| Thu 22:00 | 1.10 · high | 4.55 · good | 24.00 · good | Poor |
| Thu 23:00 | 1.12 · high | 4.63 · good | 23.90 · good | Poor |