INSTRUMENT / SEA TEMPERATURE

Port Douglas Water Temperature

Updated Sun 12:17 (Australia/Brisbane)

Australia · Forecast updated Nov 1, 2026, 12:17 UTC

← Snorkel forecast for Port Douglas

Current Sea Temperature

28.8°C

83.8°F

Very warm water

Valid Nov 1, 2026, 12:17 (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 November average is 28.7°C (83.7°F) from the historical baseline.

Recent trend

Warming by 1.4°C

Seven-day average: 28.3°C, versus 26.9°C in the prior seven days.

What to wear

Very warm water

Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.

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 26.5°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 2022–2025. 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 2022–2025 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.

Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.

Adjacent months: December 29.6°C · February 30.0°C.

Explore Port Douglas sea temperature in January, including swim comfort and month comparisons →

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.

Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.

Adjacent months: January 30.6°C · March 29.3°C.

Explore Port Douglas sea temperature in February, including swim comfort and month comparisons →

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.

Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.

Adjacent months: February 30.0°C · April 28.5°C.

Explore Port Douglas sea temperature in March, including swim comfort and month comparisons →

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.

Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.

Adjacent months: March 29.3°C · May 25.8°C.

Explore Port Douglas sea temperature in April, including swim comfort and month comparisons →

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.

Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.

Adjacent months: April 28.5°C · June 24.4°C.

Explore Port Douglas sea temperature in May, including swim comfort and month comparisons →

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.

Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.

Adjacent months: May 25.8°C · July 23.9°C.

Explore Port Douglas sea temperature in June, including swim comfort and month comparisons →

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.

Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.

Adjacent months: June 24.4°C · August 23.6°C.

Explore Port Douglas sea temperature in July, including swim comfort and month comparisons →

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.

Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.

Adjacent months: July 23.9°C · September 24.8°C.

Explore Port Douglas sea temperature in August, including swim comfort and month comparisons →

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.

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 26.8°C.

Explore Port Douglas sea temperature in September, including swim comfort and month comparisons →

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.

Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.

Adjacent months: September 24.8°C · November 28.7°C.

Explore Port Douglas sea temperature in October, including swim comfort and month comparisons →

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.

Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.

Adjacent months: October 26.8°C · December 29.6°C.

Explore Port Douglas sea temperature in November, including swim comfort and month comparisons →

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.

Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.

Adjacent months: November 28.7°C · January 30.6°C.

Explore Port Douglas 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 23.4°C / 74.1°F 23.8°C / 74.8°F 24.3°C / 75.7°F
October 23.7°C / 74.7°F 26.3°C / 79.3°F 28.7°C / 83.7°F
November 28.4°C / 83.1°F 28.9°C / 84.0°F 29.4°C / 84.9°F

Partial coverage: 3 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 1155 hourly forecast records across 3 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 28.8°C (83.8°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 26.5°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 2022–2025 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 28.8°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.

We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Silversonic 3 Outer Barrier Reef Sites in 1 Day from Port Douglas

Silversonic 3 Outer Barrier Reef Sites in 1 Day from Port Douglas

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Free cancellation available

Low Isles

Half Day Low Isles Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas

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Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas

Afternoon Low Isles Snorkelling & Sunset Sail from Port Douglas

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Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

Outer Reef Mackay Cay Sail & Snorkel Adventure from Port Douglas

4.9/5 472 reviews 9h
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Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

Calypso Outer Great Barrier Reef Cruise from Port Douglas

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From USD 228.29 Check availability

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Green Island Day Trip from Cairns with Beaches Transfers

Green Island Day Trip from Cairns with Beaches Transfers

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From USD 119.51 Check availability

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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 →