Coastal Waters Forecast 

IDQ11291

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

Coastal Waters Forecast for Queensland
Gulf Waters

Issued at 9:00 am EST on Wednesday 20 May 2026
for the period until midnight EST Friday 22 May 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 is strengthening over the Gulf as a high [1027 hPa] moves east across southern Australia.

South East Gulf of Carpentaria: QLD-NT Border to Cape Keerweer

Forecast for Wednesday 20 May until midnight

Strong Wind Warning for Wednesday for South East Gulf of Carpentaria

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots in the late morning. Winds turning southerly 20 to 25 knots during the afternoon and evening. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Weather: Mostly sunny.

Forecast for Thursday 21 May

Strong Wind Warning for Thursday for South East Gulf of Carpentaria

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. Winds south of Kowanyama may reach up to 30 knots at times. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres by early evening. Weather: Mostly sunny.

Forecast for Friday 22 May

Winds: East to southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, decreasing to 1 metre during the evening. Swell: Below 0.5 metres. Weather: Sunny.

North East Gulf of Carpentaria: Cape Keerweer to Crab Island

Forecast for Wednesday 20 May until midnight

Winds: East to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots, reaching up to 25 knots offshore south of Cullen Point in the late morning and early afternoon. Winds tending south to southeasterly in the afternoon. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres offshore. Swell: Southerly below 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny.

Forecast for Thursday 21 May

Winds: South to southeasterly 15 to 20 knots tending east to southeasterly before dawn. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres offshore. Swell: Southerly below 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy.

Forecast for Friday 22 May

Winds: Easterly 15 to 20 knots turning southeasterly during the afternoon. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore. Swell: Southeast to southwesterly below 1 metre. Weather: Sunny.

The next routine forecast will be issued at 3:00 pm EST Wednesday.

* 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.