INSTRUMENT / SEA TEMPERATURE
Whitsundays Water Temperature
Updated Fri 13:56 (Australia/Brisbane)
Australia · Forecast updated Nov 6, 2026, 13:56 UTC
Current Sea Temperature
26.5°C
79.7°F
Warm water
Valid Nov 6, 2026, 13:56 (Australia/Brisbane). Source: stored Open-Meteo marine forecast. Temperature is not a safety rating or snorkel score.
Versus this month's average
0.6°C below
The typical November average is 27.1°C (80.8°F) from the historical baseline.
Recent trend
Warming by 0.4°C
Seven-day average: 26.4°C, versus 25.9°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 Whitsundays, typical monthly averages range from about 21.7°C (71.1°F) in August to 28.9°C (84.0°F) in February.
Over the past 30 days, the average sea temperature in Whitsundays has been 25.3°C.
Historical baseline (full year)
Southern Hemisphere. Summer is generally December–February; winter is June–August.
Typical monthly sea-surface temperature near Whitsundays, calculated from hourly observations for 2022–2025. This is not this site's forecast archive.
| Month | Typical range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| January | 27.7–29.4°C | 28.7°C / 83.7°F |
| February | 28.4–29.4°C | 28.9°C / 84.0°F |
| March | 27.8–28.3°C | 28.0°C / 82.4°F |
| April | 26.6–27.6°C | 27.0°C / 80.6°F |
| May | 23.8–24.4°C | 24.1°C / 75.4°F |
| June | 22.0–22.9°C | 22.5°C / 72.5°F |
| July | 21.6–22.2°C | 21.9°C / 71.4°F |
| August | 21.4–22.0°C | 21.7°C / 71.1°F |
| September | 22.9–23.4°C | 23.2°C / 73.8°F |
| October | 24.5–25.6°C | 25.1°C / 77.2°F |
| November | 26.1–28.2°C | 27.1°C / 80.8°F |
| December | 27.6–28.4°C | 28.0°C / 82.4°F |
Source: Open-Meteo Marine API, MeteoFrance sea-surface temperature dataset. Nearest sea grid cell (-20.29, 149.04). 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 2022–2025 baseline. The range is the lowest and highest yearly monthly mean, not an hourly extreme.
Whitsundays in January
Typical January water temperature near Whitsundays is 28.7°C (83.7°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.7–29.4°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: December 28.0°C · February 28.9°C.
Explore Whitsundays sea temperature in January, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Whitsundays in February
Typical February water temperature near Whitsundays is 28.9°C (84.0°F), with yearly monthly means from 28.4–29.4°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: January 28.7°C · March 28.0°C.
Explore Whitsundays sea temperature in February, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Whitsundays in March
Typical March water temperature near Whitsundays is 28.0°C (82.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.8–28.3°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: February 28.9°C · April 27.0°C.
Explore Whitsundays sea temperature in March, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Whitsundays in April
Typical April water temperature near Whitsundays is 27.0°C (80.6°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.6–27.6°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: March 28.0°C · May 24.1°C.
Explore Whitsundays sea temperature in April, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Whitsundays in May
Typical May water temperature near Whitsundays is 24.1°C (75.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 23.8–24.4°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: April 27.0°C · June 22.5°C.
Explore Whitsundays sea temperature in May, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Whitsundays in June
Typical June water temperature near Whitsundays is 22.5°C (72.5°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.0–22.9°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: May 24.1°C · July 21.9°C.
Explore Whitsundays sea temperature in June, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Whitsundays in July
Typical July water temperature near Whitsundays is 21.9°C (71.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 21.6–22.2°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: June 22.5°C · August 21.7°C.
Explore Whitsundays sea temperature in July, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Whitsundays in August
Typical August water temperature near Whitsundays is 21.7°C (71.1°F), with yearly monthly means from 21.4–22.0°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: cool water. A 3 mm shorty or full wetsuit will make longer snorkels more comfortable.
Adjacent months: July 21.9°C · September 23.2°C.
Explore Whitsundays sea temperature in August, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Whitsundays in September
Typical September water temperature near Whitsundays is 23.2°C (73.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 22.9–23.4°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: mild water. A rash guard is useful; cold-sensitive snorkelers may prefer a shorty wetsuit.
Adjacent months: August 21.7°C · October 25.1°C.
Explore Whitsundays sea temperature in September, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Whitsundays in October
Typical October water temperature near Whitsundays is 25.1°C (77.2°F), with yearly monthly means from 24.5–25.6°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: September 23.2°C · November 27.1°C.
Explore Whitsundays sea temperature in October, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Whitsundays in November
Typical November water temperature near Whitsundays is 27.1°C (80.8°F), with yearly monthly means from 26.1–28.2°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: warm water. Most people are comfortable in swimwear or a light rash guard.
Adjacent months: October 25.1°C · December 28.0°C.
Explore Whitsundays sea temperature in November, including swim comfort and month comparisons →
Whitsundays in December
Typical December water temperature near Whitsundays is 28.0°C (82.4°F), with yearly monthly means from 27.6–28.4°C.
Swimming and snorkeling: very warm water. Swimwear is usually enough; a rash guard adds sun protection.
Adjacent months: November 27.1°C · January 28.7°C.
Explore Whitsundays 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| June | 21.6°C / 70.9°F | 22.2°C / 72.0°F | 23.8°C / 74.8°F |
| July | 20.4°C / 68.7°F | 21.2°C / 70.1°F | 22.1°C / 71.8°F |
| August | 20.4°C / 68.7°F | 21.0°C / 69.9°F | 22.3°C / 72.1°F |
| September | 21.6°C / 70.9°F | 22.4°C / 72.3°F | 23.3°C / 73.9°F |
| October | 22.3°C / 72.1°F | 24.6°C / 76.2°F | 27.1°C / 80.8°F |
| November | 25.8°C / 78.4°F | 26.5°C / 79.7°F | 27.5°C / 81.5°F |
Partial coverage: 6 calendar months with records. Profile calculated from 3813 hourly forecast records across 6 monthly periods. This is a growing archive, not a long-term climate normal.
About the water at Whitsundays
Coral islands beside the Great Barrier Reef with fringing reef and white sand.
- Area
- Queensland
Whitsundays Water Temperature: Common Questions
What is the water temperature in Whitsundays today?
The current sea surface temperature near Whitsundays is 26.5°C (79.7°F). Over the last 30 days, the average has been 25.3°C.
When is the water warmest in Whitsundays?
The water is typically warmest in February, at around 28.9°C (84.0°F) in the 2022–2025 historical baseline.
When is the water coldest in Whitsundays?
The water is typically coldest in August, at around 21.7°C (71.1°F) in the same historical baseline.
Can you swim in Whitsundays today?
At 26.5°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 Whitsundays.
View Snorkel Forecast →