Port Douglas Water Temperature

Updated Thu 11:21 (Australia/Brisbane)

Australia · Forecast updated Sep 17, 2026, 11:21 UTC

← Snorkel forecast for Port Douglas

Current Sea Temperature

24.0°C

75.2°F

Mild water

Valid Sep 17, 2026, 11:21 (Australia/Brisbane). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.

Versus this month's average

0.8°C below

The typical September average is 24.8°C (76.6°F) from the historical baseline.

Recent trend

At least two weeks of records are needed before showing a reliable trend.

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 Port Douglas, typical monthly averages range from about 23.6°C (74.5°F) in August to 30.6°C (87.1°F) in January.

Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Port Douglas has been 24.0°C.

Historical baseline (full year)

Southern Hemisphere. Summer is generally December–February; winter is June–August.

Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Port Douglas, calculated from hourly observations for 2023–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.

Month Typical range Average
January 29.8–31.2°C 30.6°C / 87.1°F
February 29.3–30.7°C 30.0°C / 86.0°F
March 29.1–29.5°C 29.3°C / 84.7°F
April 27.9–29.3°C 28.5°C / 83.3°F
May 25.5–26.2°C 25.8°C / 78.4°F
June 24.2–24.6°C 24.4°C / 75.9°F
July 23.8–24.1°C 23.9°C / 75.0°F
August 23.1–24.3°C 23.6°C / 74.5°F
September 24.3–25.3°C 24.8°C / 76.6°F
October 26.0–27.4°C 26.8°C / 80.2°F
November 27.6–30.1°C 28.7°C / 83.7°F
December 28.9–30.4°C 29.6°C / 85.3°F

Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (-16.46, 145.63). 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.

Port Douglas in January

Typical January water temperature near Port Douglas is 30.6°C (87.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 29.8–31.2°C.

Port Douglas in February

Typical February water temperature near Port Douglas is 30.0°C (86.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 29.3–30.7°C.

Port Douglas in March

Typical March water temperature near Port Douglas is 29.3°C (84.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 29.1–29.5°C.

Port Douglas in April

Typical April water temperature near Port Douglas is 28.5°C (83.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.9–29.3°C.

Port Douglas in May

Typical May water temperature near Port Douglas is 25.8°C (78.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 25.5–26.2°C.

Port Douglas in June

Typical June water temperature near Port Douglas is 24.4°C (75.9°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.2–24.6°C.

Port Douglas in July

Typical July water temperature near Port Douglas is 23.9°C (75.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.8–24.1°C.

Port Douglas in August

Typical August water temperature near Port Douglas is 23.6°C (74.5°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.1–24.3°C.

Port Douglas in September

Typical September water temperature near Port Douglas is 24.8°C (76.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.3–25.3°C.

Port Douglas in October

Typical October water temperature near Port Douglas is 26.8°C (80.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.0–27.4°C.

Port Douglas in November

Typical November water temperature near Port Douglas is 28.7°C (83.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.6–30.1°C.

Port Douglas in December

Typical December water temperature near Port Douglas is 29.6°C (85.3°F), with yearly monthly means from 28.9–30.4°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
September 23.4°C / 74.1°F 23.7°C / 74.6°F 24.1°C / 75.4°F

Partial coverage: 1 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 74 hourly forecast records across 1 monthly periods. This is a growing archive, not a long-term climate normal.

About the water at Port Douglas

Port Douglas is the northern gateway to the Agincourt and Low Isles reefs. Compare those site forecasts before booking an outer-reef day.

Area
Queensland

Port Douglas Water Temperature: Common Questions

What is the water temperature in Port Douglas today?

The current sea surface temperature near Port Douglas is 24.0°C (75.2°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 24.0°C.

When is the water warmest in Port Douglas?

The water is typically warmest in January, at around 30.6°C (87.1°F) in the 2023–2025 historical baseline.

When is the water coldest in Port Douglas?

The water is typically coldest in August, at around 23.6°C (74.5°F) in the same historical baseline.

Can you swim in Port Douglas today?

At 24.0°C, the water is usually comfortable for swimming and snorkeling.

Bookable snorkel tours near Port Douglas

Prices and availability from Viator. Check conditions before you book.

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Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

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

Low Isles

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

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

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

Aerial shot of Quicksilver Pontoon

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

Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

4.8/5 1454 reviews 8h
From USD 231.12 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Full Snorkeling Forecast

See how today's sea temperature, wave height, wind, and tides combine into a detailed snorkeling score for Port Douglas.

View Snorkel Forecast →