Australia: where to swim in January?
Australia, in January: the sea is at 24.5 °C on average along the coast, from 17.8 °C to 30.4 °C depending on the spot. Where the water is warmest (30.4 °C), it is very warm. Almost lukewarm: you can get in without any cold shock.
Sea temperature, month by month
| Month | Average temperature | Depending on the spot | Where it is warmest |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24.5 °C | 17.8 °C – 30.4 °C | very warm |
| February | 24.8 °C | 18.4 °C – 30.2 °C | very warm |
| March | 24.8 °C | 18.1 °C – 30.3 °C | very warm |
| April | 24.1 °C | 17.2 °C – 29.9 °C | very warm |
| May | 22.6 °C | 15.8 °C – 28.4 °C | very warm |
| June | 21.2 °C | 14.6 °C – 26.8 °C | warm |
| July | 20.2 °C | 13.7 °C – 25.8 °C | warm |
| August | 19.8 °C | 13.1 °C – 25.7 °C | warm |
| September | 20.3 °C | 13.1 °C – 26.6 °C | warm |
| October | 21.4 °C | 13.8 °C – 28.5 °C | very warm |
| November | 22.5 °C | 14.8 °C – 29.9 °C | very warm |
| December | 23.7 °C | 16.1 °C – 30.7 °C | very warm |
Compared with December, the water warms up by 0.8 °C in January. The warmest month: February (24.8 °C). The coldest: August (19.8 °C).
Where the water is warmest in January
- Queensland 28.9 °C · very warm
- Western Australia 24.9 °C · very warm
- New South Wales 24.3 °C · warm
- South Australia 19.6 °C · pleasant
- Victoria 18.7 °C · pleasant
- Tasmania 17.2 °C · cool
And right now?
For the temperature measured right now, station by station and to the hour: Australia: water temperature
Frequently asked questions
What is the sea temperature in January?
Australia, in January: 24.5 °C on average along the coast, from 17.8 °C in the coolest waters to 30.4 °C in the warmest (average of the years 2011 to 2025).
Can you swim in January?
Where the water is warmest (30.4 °C), it is very warm. Almost lukewarm: you can get in without any cold shock.
What is the best month for swimming?
The water is warmest in February (24.8 °C on average) and coldest in August (19.8 °C). Where the water is warmest, it goes above 20 °C in these months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Where is the water warmest in January?
The warmest in January: Queensland (28.9 °C), Western Australia (24.9 °C), New South Wales (24.3 °C). The coolest: Tasmania (17.2 °C).
Where do these temperatures come from?
These are averages of the sea surface temperature from 2011 to 2025, computed from NOAA satellite images (OISST, one value about every 50 km), in a 100 km strip along the coasts of the main country: distant territories (overseas, remote islands) are not counted. It is an estimate, not a measurement taken at the beach: lakes and rivers are not included.