Friendly Beaches Water Temperature and Wetsuit Guide

The water temperature (13 °C) at Friendly Beaches is quite cool. You will need a quality spring wetsuit, and maybe neoprene hood because it will be cloudy with an effective air temperature of just (5 °C). Gloves are a good idea, neoprene boots optional.

Map of current Australia Surface Water Temperatures based on measurements from oceanographic satellites

Map of current Australia Sea Water Temperature Anomalies (compared with long term averages at this time of year)

(click thumbnails to expand)

Below is a graph of Historical Sea Surface Temperature for Friendly Beaches. This has been derived from analysis of two decades of oceanographic satellite measurements of nearby open water. We have calculated the average water temperature variation around the year as well as the extremes that have been observed on each date.

All of the graphs for the surf breaks presented on Surf-Forecast.com are on the same scale to enable comparison between locations around the world.

Friendly Beaches sea temperatures peak in the range 15 to 19°C (59 to 66°F) on around the 2nd of March and are at their coldest on about the 7th of August, in the range 11 to 13°C (52 to 55°F). The maximum seasonal sea temperatures at Friendly Beaches in early March lend themselves to a 4/3mm wetsuit or a 3/2mm suit and 3mm neoprene boots. The coldest sea temperatures at Friendly Beaches in the first part of August are ideally suited to a 4/3mm wetsuit + 3mm boots, although a 5/3mm wetsuit may be preferable for longer sessions and cold windy days.

Actual sea surface water temperatures close to shore at Friendly Beaches can vary by several degrees compared with these open water averages. This is especially true after heavy rain, close to river mouths or after long periods of strong offshore winds. Offshore winds cause colder deep water to replace surface water that has been warmed by the sun. Air temperature, wind-chill and sunshine should also be considered before deciding on the kind of wetsuit needed to stay warm when surfing at Friendly Beaches. Refer to our detailed weather forecasts for this information.