Coastal Waters Forecast 

IDQ10860

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

Great Barrier Reef Offshore Waters Forecast: Bowen to Yeppoon

Issued at 3:00 am EST on Tuesday 25 August 2026
for the period until midnight EST Thursday 27 August 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

Weather Situation

A ridge extends over the north Queensland waters. A trough will cross the Mackay waters on Wednesday, followed by a new ridge.

Forecast for Tuesday 25 August until midnight

Winds: Easterly 10 to 15 knots decreasing to about 10 knots in the early morning. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Easterly around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres through the Capricorn Channel. Weather: Partly cloudy.

Forecast for Wednesday 26 August

Winds: Variable about 10 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: East to northeasterly around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres through the Capricorn Channel. Weather: Mostly sunny.

Forecast for Thursday 27 August

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon. Swell: East to northeasterly around 1 metre. Weather: Sunny.

The next routine forecast will be issued at 9:00 am EST Tuesday.

* 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.