The sea temperature at Gold Coast today is 22.5 °C (73 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 22.1 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 22.1 to 22.4 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has warmed from 21.3 °C to 22.5 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 20 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.8°C / 78.4°F | 26.1°C / 79.0°F | 26.5°C / 79.7°F |
| February | 26.2°C / 79.1°F | 26.6°C / 79.9°F | 27.3°C / 81.1°F |
| March | 25.9°C / 78.5°F | 26.2°C / 79.1°F | 26.6°C / 79.9°F |
| April | 24.9°C / 76.7°F | 25.2°C / 77.3°F | 25.5°C / 77.9°F |
| May | 22.4°C / 72.3°F | 23.4°C / 74.2°F | 24.1°C / 75.3°F |
| June | 21.2°C / 70.1°F | 21.9°C / 71.4°F | 22.6°C / 72.7°F |
| July | 20.5°C / 68.8°F | 20.9°C / 69.6°F | 21.3°C / 70.3°F |
| August | 19.9°C / 67.9°F | 20.7°C / 69.3°F | 21.2°C / 70.2°F |
| September | 20.6°C / 69.0°F | 21.1°C / 69.9°F | 21.5°C / 70.6°F |
| October | 21.8°C / 71.2°F | 22.1°C / 71.7°F | 22.4°C / 72.3°F |
| November | 22.5°C / 72.4°F | 23.0°C / 73.5°F | 23.7°C / 74.7°F |
| December | 24.5°C / 76.1°F | 25.0°C / 76.9°F | 25.5°C / 77.8°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.4°C / 74.0°F | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 24.9°C / 76.9°F |
| February | 23.4°C / 74.1°F | 24.3°C / 75.8°F | 25.0°C / 77.1°F |
| March | 23.0°C / 73.3°F | 23.9°C / 74.9°F | 24.6°C / 76.3°F |
| April | 20.6°C / 69.2°F | 21.8°C / 71.2°F | 22.9°C / 73.1°F |
| May | 18.4°C / 65.1°F | 19.5°C / 67.1°F | 20.7°C / 69.3°F |
| June | 16.2°C / 61.1°F | 17.5°C / 63.6°F | 19.2°C / 66.6°F |
| July | 15.5°C / 59.9°F | 16.9°C / 62.4°F | 18.5°C / 65.4°F |
| August | 16.4°C / 61.6°F | 17.8°C / 64.1°F | 19.2°C / 66.6°F |
| September | 17.6°C / 63.8°F | 19.0°C / 66.1°F | 19.9°C / 67.9°F |
| October | 19.7°C / 67.4°F | 20.8°C / 69.4°F | 21.5°C / 70.7°F |
| November | 21.1°C / 69.9°F | 22.1°C / 71.8°F | 22.8°C / 73.0°F |
| December | 22.4°C / 72.2°F | 23.4°C / 74.2°F | 24.1°C / 75.3°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Gold Coast holidays
South of Brisbane in Queensland, the Gold Coast is a city of high-rise towers, surf beaches and theme parks stretched along the Pacific coast down to the border with New South Wales. Behind it, the green ranges of the hinterland hold subtropical rainforest that is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Site.
Beaches
Surfers Paradise is the beach at the heart of the high-rise strip, a long stretch of sand in front of the towers; the sea temperature on this page is measured off Surfers Paradise. Broadbeach, just south, is a little calmer, and Burleigh Heads has a rocky headland with a right-hand point break and a small national park. At the southern end, Coolangatta, Kirra and Snapper Rocks are known for surfing. Most beaches are patrolled by lifeguards, and swimming between the red and yellow flags is the rule, as rips are common; for young children, the sheltered tidal estuaries of Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Creek have less surf, although tidal currents can be strong near the creek mouths, so follow local signs.
Things to do
Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet'n'Wild and Dreamworld make the Gold Coast a theme-park destination for families. The SkyPoint observation deck near the top of the Q1 tower looks out over the coast and the hinterland. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary shows koalas and other native animals. Inland, Springbrook National Park has waterfalls and the Natural Bridge, a rock arch over a creek where glow-worms shine at night, and Tamborine Mountain has walking tracks, galleries and cafés. From about June to November, humpback whales pass the coast and whale-watching boats leave from the Broadwater.
Weather and best time to visit
At Gold Coast the sea stays above 20 °C / 68 °F all year, even in the coolest month.
The Gold Coast has a subtropical climate. Summer, from December to February, is hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms and the most rain. Winter, from June to August, is mild, dry and sunny, with cooler nights. School holidays, Christmas and the end-of-year "Schoolies" celebrations in November are the busiest times.
Hotels and where to stay
Surfers Paradise has a wide choice of hotels and apartment towers, close to the beach and nightlife. Broadbeach is a little quieter, with restaurants and the casino, Main Beach sits near Sea World and the Broadwater, and Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta have a more relaxed, low-rise feel.
Signature hotels: The Langham, Gold Coast and Jewel Residences (Surfers Paradise) · Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast (Main Beach)
Airport and getting there
Gold Coast Airport (OOL) in Coolangatta is about 25 km south of Surfers Paradise, with domestic flights and some international routes; check current destinations. Brisbane Airport (BNE) is about 90 km north, roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by car. Trains from Brisbane run to Helensvale, where they connect with the G:link light rail through Southport and Surfers Paradise to Broadbeach; check Translink for current services.