Australian Government

Bureau of Meteorology


Coastal Waters Forecast 

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IDQ11292

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

Coastal Waters Forecast for Queensland
Northern Zones: Torres Strait to St Lawrence

Issued at 3:00 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.

Torres Strait

Forecast for Monday 20 July until midnight

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres. Swell: Southeasterly around 1 metre outside the reef. Weather: Mostly clear.

Forecast for Tuesday 21 July

Winds: Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots, reaching up to 20 knots offshore early in the morning. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, decreasing to 1 metre during the morning. Swell: Southeasterly around 1 metre outside the reef. Weather: Mostly sunny.

Forecast for Wednesday 22 July

Winds: Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: East to southeasterly around 1 metre. Weather: Mostly sunny.

Forecast for Thursday 23 July

Winds: East to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: East to southeasterly around 1 metre. Weather: Partly cloudy.

Peninsula Coast: Sharp Point to Cape Melville

Forecast for Monday 20 July until midnight

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef. Swell: Southeasterly around 1 metre outside the reef. Weather: Mostly clear.

Forecast for Tuesday 21 July

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef. Swell: Southeasterly around 1 metre outside the reef, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the morning, then decreasing to around 1 metre around midday. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers.

Forecast for Wednesday 22 July

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef. Swell: Southeasterly around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the morning, then decreasing to around 1 metre during the afternoon. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers.

Forecast for Thursday 23 July

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef. Swell: Southeasterly around 1 metre outside the reef. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers.

Cooktown Coast: Cape Melville to Cape Tribulation

Forecast for Monday 20 July until midnight

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef. Swell: Southeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef. Weather: Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers.

Forecast for Tuesday 21 July

Strong Wind Warning for Tuesday for Cooktown Coast

Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots south of Cooktown during the day. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres outside the reef. Swell: Southeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres later in the evening. Weather: Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers.

Forecast for Wednesday 22 July

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres south of Cooktown. Swell: Southeasterly 1 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon. Weather: Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers.

Forecast for Thursday 23 July

Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 25 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres outside the reef. Swell: Southeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef, decreasing to around 1 metre during the evening. Weather: Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers.

Cairns Coast: Cape Tribulation to Cardwell

Forecast for Monday 20 July until midnight

Winds: South to southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres outside the reef. Swell: Southeasterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers.

Forecast for Tuesday 21 July

Strong Wind Warning for Tuesday for Cairns Coast

Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots offshore north of Cairns during the day. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: Southeasterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef. Weather: Cloudy. 90% chance of showers.

Forecast for Wednesday 22 July

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef. Swell: Southeasterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef. Weather: Cloudy. 80% chance of showers.

Forecast for Thursday 23 July

Winds: South to southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef. Swell: Southeasterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef. Weather: Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers.

Townsville Coast: Cardwell to Bowen

Forecast for Monday 20 July until midnight

Strong Wind Warning for Monday for Townsville Coast

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots, reaching up to 30 knots offshore in the late evening. Seas: 1 to 2 metres. Swell: Easterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef. Weather: Partly cloudy.

Forecast for Tuesday 21 July

Strong Wind Warning for Tuesday for Townsville Coast

Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots offshore during the day. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: Easterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef. Weather: Partly cloudy. 70% chance of showers.

Forecast for Wednesday 22 July

Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 30 knots decreasing to 15 to 25 knots in the early morning. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: Easterly below 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef. Weather: Partly cloudy.

Forecast for Thursday 23 July

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1 to 2 metres outside the reef. Swell: Easterly 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef. Weather: Partly cloudy.

Mackay Coast: Bowen to St Lawrence

Forecast for Monday 20 July until midnight

Strong Wind Warning for Monday for Mackay Coast

Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 25 knots, reaching up to 30 knots offshore in the late evening. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres offshore. Swell: East to southeasterly below 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 2 metres offshore. Weather: Partly cloudy. 70% chance of showers.

Forecast for Tuesday 21 July

Strong Wind Warning for Tuesday for Mackay Coast

Winds: Southeasterly 20 to 30 knots. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swell: Easterly below 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 2 metres offshore. Weather: Partly cloudy. 70% chance of showers.

Forecast for Wednesday 22 July

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots. Seas: 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres offshore. Swell: Easterly below 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 2 metres offshore. Weather: Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers.

Forecast for Thursday 23 July

Winds: Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots. Seas: Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore. Swell: Easterly 1 to 1.5 metres offshore, decreasing to around 1 metre during the morning. Weather: Partly cloudy.

Great Barrier Reef Offshore Waters

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.