Australian Government

Bureau of Meteorology


Coastal Waters Forecast 

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IDQ10860

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

Great Barrier Reef Offshore Waters Forecast: Bowen to Yeppoon

Issued at 2:58 pm EST on Thursday 9 April 2026
for the period until midnight EST Sunday 12 April 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 ridge extends over the north Queensland waters. Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila [947 hPa] in the Solomon Sea is forecast to move southwest from Friday, approaching Far North Queensland from Monday.

Forecast for Thursday 9 April until midnight

Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 25 knots. Seas: 1.5 to 2 metres. Swell: East to northeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1 to 2 metres north of Creal Reef. Weather: Mostly clear.

Forecast for Friday 10 April

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.

Forecast for Saturday 11 April

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots decreasing to about 10 knots in the late evening. Seas: Around 1 metre. Swell: East to northeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1 to 2 metres through the Capricorn Channel. Weather: Partly cloudy.

Forecast for Sunday 12 April

Winds: Variable about 10 knots becoming southeasterly 10 to 15 knots during the morning then tending easterly during the evening. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Northeasterly 1 to 2 metres. Weather: Mostly sunny.

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

* 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.