The sea temperature at Sydney today is 20.3 °C (69 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 19.4 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has warmed from 18.1 °C to 20.3 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 18 °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 | 22.7°C / 72.8°F | 23.2°C / 73.8°F | 23.7°C / 74.6°F |
| February | 22.9°C / 73.2°F | 23.8°C / 74.9°F | 24.6°C / 76.4°F |
| March | 23.6°C / 74.4°F | 23.8°C / 74.9°F | 24.1°C / 75.5°F |
| April | 22.3°C / 72.2°F | 22.8°C / 73.1°F | 23.7°C / 74.6°F |
| May | 20.2°C / 68.4°F | 21.1°C / 70.0°F | 22.4°C / 72.2°F |
| June | 18.8°C / 65.8°F | 19.3°C / 66.8°F | 20.0°C / 67.9°F |
| July | 17.5°C / 63.5°F | 18.3°C / 64.9°F | 18.9°C / 66.0°F |
| August | 17.8°C / 64.0°F | 18.2°C / 64.7°F | 18.9°C / 66.0°F |
| September | 17.9°C / 64.2°F | 18.5°C / 65.4°F | 19.4°C / 66.9°F |
| October | 18.8°C / 65.9°F | 19.4°C / 66.8°F | 20.0°C / 68.1°F |
| November | 19.4°C / 66.8°F | 20.1°C / 68.2°F | 20.7°C / 69.3°F |
| December | 20.8°C / 69.4°F | 21.8°C / 71.3°F | 22.6°C / 72.7°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.4°C / 70.5°F | 22.2°C / 72.0°F | 22.8°C / 73.0°F |
| February | 21.4°C / 70.5°F | 22.3°C / 72.2°F | 23.1°C / 73.6°F |
| March | 20.9°C / 69.6°F | 21.8°C / 71.2°F | 22.6°C / 72.8°F |
| April | 18.3°C / 64.9°F | 19.5°C / 67.0°F | 20.8°C / 69.4°F |
| May | 15.8°C / 60.4°F | 16.9°C / 62.4°F | 18.4°C / 65.1°F |
| June | 13.0°C / 55.4°F | 14.3°C / 57.7°F | 16.1°C / 61.0°F |
| July | 12.9°C / 55.2°F | 14.1°C / 57.4°F | 15.8°C / 60.4°F |
| August | 13.5°C / 56.4°F | 15.0°C / 58.9°F | 16.7°C / 62.0°F |
| September | 14.9°C / 58.8°F | 16.5°C / 61.7°F | 18.2°C / 64.7°F |
| October | 16.5°C / 61.7°F | 17.9°C / 64.3°F | 19.1°C / 66.3°F |
| November | 18.1°C / 64.6°F | 19.2°C / 66.6°F | 20.0°C / 68.1°F |
| December | 19.7°C / 67.4°F | 20.8°C / 69.4°F | 21.5°C / 70.6°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Sydney holidays
Sydney is the capital of New South Wales, on Australia's Pacific coast, built around a branching harbour and a long coastline of ocean beaches. The city combines the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge with ferry journeys, coastal walks and neighbourhoods where cafés and surf shops sit behind the sand.
Beaches
Bondi Beach has surf schools and the Bondi Icebergs ocean pool at its southern end. Manly combines an ocean-facing beach with a ferry connection to Circular Quay, while Coogee is another base for coastal walks and swimming. Sheltered harbour beaches offer a different setting from the exposed ocean shore. At patrolled beaches, swim between the red and yellow flags and follow lifeguard advice. We measure the sea temperature shown on this page near Bondi Beach, where the photo was also taken.
Things to do
Walk around Circular Quay for views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, then explore the historic streets of The Rocks or the Royal Botanic Garden. A ferry to Manly turns a journey to the beach into a harbour outing. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk covers about 6 km, passing Tamarama, Bronte and Clovelly. Darling Harbour has museums and family attractions for days when a beach visit does not suit the weather.
Weather and best time to visit
At Sydney the sea stays above 20 °C / 68 °F from November to May.
Summer runs from December to February and is warm, often humid, while winters are mild. Rain occurs throughout the year, so keep an indoor option alongside coastal plans. Spring and autumn suit walking without the midsummer heat. Check the local beach forecast – waves, wind and currents vary along the coastline even on a sunny day.
Hotels and where to stay
The city centre and Circular Quay suit sightseeing and public transport. Bondi and Coogee put ocean beaches nearby, while Manly offers a beach stay linked to the centre by ferry. Choose accommodation around the journeys you want to make, especially if combining city visits with time on opposite sides of the harbour.
Signature hotels: QT Bondi
Airport and getting there
Sydney Airport (SYD) has train connections to the city, as well as taxis and buses. Trains, buses, light rail and ferries serve the wider city. For Bondi Beach, travel via Bondi Junction and continue by bus; for Manly, ferries leave Circular Quay.