Australian Government

Bureau of Meteorology


Coastal Waters Forecast 

Marine (lite) Home

IDQ10860

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

Great Barrier Reef Offshore Waters Forecast: Bowen to Yeppoon

Issued at 2:54 pm EST on Monday 20 July 2026
for the period until midnight EST Thursday 23 July 2026.

Please be aware
Wind and wave forecasts are averages. Wind gusts can be 40 per cent stronger than the forecast, and stronger still in squalls and thunderstorms. Maximum waves can be twice the forecast height.

Warning Information

For latest warnings go to www.bom.gov.au, subscribe to RSS feeds, call 1300 659 210* or listen for warnings on relevant TV and radio broadcasts.

Weather Situation

A firm ridge of high pressure extends over the northern Queensland waters from a high [1035 hPa] centred over the Tasman Sea. A trough will continue to drift north over the central Coral Sea, enhancing the winds in the coastal waters. The ridge will slowly relax over coming days as the high slowly weakens and slips further east over the Tasman Sea.

Forecast for Monday 20 July until midnight

Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 30 knots. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: Southeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 2.5 to 3 metres through the Capricorn Channel. Weather: Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers.

Forecast for Tuesday 21 July

Winds: Southeasterly 25 to 30 knots. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: Southeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 2 to 3 metres through the Capricorn Channel. Weather: Partly cloudy. 90% chance of showers.

Forecast for Wednesday 22 July

Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 30 knots decreasing to 15 to 25 knots before dawn. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres around midday. Swell: East to southeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres through the Capricorn Channel. Weather: Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers.

Forecast for Thursday 23 July

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell: Easterly 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1 to 2 metres through the Capricorn Channel. Weather: Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers.

The next routine forecast will be issued at 9:00 pm EST Monday.

* Calls to 1300 numbers cost around 27.5c incl. GST, higher from mobiles or public phones. Marine forecasts are also available on VHF and HF radio. View the radio schedule on www.bom.gov.au/marine

Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecasts for information on wind, wave and weather conditions for neighbouring coastal zones.