Cairns – current water temperature and swimming conditions

Water Temperature in Cairns: Daily Trends, Historical Records, and Forecast

✅ Water in this range is comfortably warm and widely considered ideal for swimming. Most people can stay in the water for a long time without feeling cold. It works well for families, recreational swimming, and active water sports such as swimming, surfing, and paddleboarding.

It’s important to note that these swimming tips and recommendations apply only in settled weather. When air temperatures drop below 20°C — and sometimes even below 25°C — swimming can feel uncomfortable, even when water temperatures are relatively high.

Water Temperature Over the Last 30 Days

Water temperatures in Cairns have been gradually cooling over the past month, with a further drop recorded during the last week.

According to our forecast, Sea water temperature in Cairns will be 25.8°C in the next 7 days. See the table below for daily data for the upcoming week.

Table of Daily Sea Temperature Data

Annual Water Temperature Overview by Month

Monthly Water Temp Ranges

30°C

25°C

20°C

15°C

10°c

5°C

0°C

Annual Water Temperature Trend

Cairns sits on Queensland’s Far North Coast beside the Coral Sea, where water temperatures stay warm throughout the year. During the tropical wet season from around November to April, sea temperatures usually range between 27–30 °C, often feeling very warm and comfortable for extended time in the water. In the drier winter months from May to October, the sea cools only slightly, generally sitting around 23–26 °C. Even at its coolest, the water off Cairns remains mild by Australian standards, with no true cold season.