Australia: where to swim in May?
Australia, in May: the sea is at 22.6 °C on average along the coast, from 15.8 °C to 28.4 °C depending on the spot. Where the water is warmest (28.4 °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 April, the water cools down by 1.5 °C in May. The warmest month: February (24.8 °C). The coldest: August (19.8 °C).
Where the water is warmest in May
- Queensland 26.0 °C · very warm
- Western Australia 23.9 °C · very warm
- New South Wales 22.0 °C · warm
- South Australia 17.6 °C · cool
- Victoria 16.2 °C · cool
- Tasmania 15.3 °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 May?
Australia, in May: 22.6 °C on average along the coast, from 15.8 °C in the coolest waters to 28.4 °C in the warmest (average of the years 2011 to 2025).
Can you swim in May?
Where the water is warmest (28.4 °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 May?
The warmest in May: Queensland (26.0 °C), Western Australia (23.9 °C), New South Wales (22.0 °C). The coolest: Tasmania (15.3 °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.