Western Australia (Australia): where to swim in May?
Western Australia, in May: the sea is at 23.9 °C on average along the coast, from 18.9 °C to 28.8 °C depending on the spot. Where the water is warmest (28.8 °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 | 24.9 °C | 19.9 °C – 30.1 °C | very warm |
| February | 25.3 °C | 20.4 °C – 30.2 °C | very warm |
| March | 25.6 °C | 20.4 °C – 30.5 °C | very warm |
| April | 25.2 °C | 20.0 °C – 30.0 °C | very warm |
| May | 23.9 °C | 18.9 °C – 28.8 °C | very warm |
| June | 22.5 °C | 17.8 °C – 27.0 °C | very warm |
| July | 21.4 °C | 16.7 °C – 25.9 °C | warm |
| August | 20.8 °C | 16.0 °C – 25.7 °C | warm |
| September | 21.1 °C | 16.0 °C – 26.9 °C | warm |
| October | 22.0 °C | 16.7 °C – 28.6 °C | very warm |
| November | 22.9 °C | 17.5 °C – 29.8 °C | very warm |
| December | 23.9 °C | 18.7 °C – 30.5 °C | very warm |
Compared with April, the water cools down by 1.3 °C in May. The warmest month: March (25.6 °C). The coldest: August (20.8 °C).
Nearby, in May
- South Australia 17.6 °C · cool
- Queensland 26.0 °C · very warm
- Victoria 16.2 °C · cool
- New South Wales 22.0 °C · warm
- Tasmania 15.3 °C · cool
And right now?
For the temperature measured right now, station by station and to the hour: Western Australia: water temperature
Frequently asked questions
What is the sea temperature in May?
Western Australia, in May: 23.9 °C on average along the coast, from 18.9 °C in the coolest waters to 28.8 °C in the warmest (average of the years 2011 to 2025).
Can you swim in May?
Where the water is warmest (28.8 °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 March (25.6 °C on average) and coldest in August (20.8 °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.
What temperature do you need to swim comfortably?
Below 15 °C the water is cold: the cold takes your breath away and tires you quickly. Between 20 °C and 25 °C most people find it pleasant. Below 10 °C it is very cold.
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.