What wetsuit do you need in Australia?
The one suit that covers most of the swimming season, for 21 coastal cities in Australia.
| City | Coldest | Warmest | One suit for the season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 18.3°C Aug | 24.3°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Melbourne | 11.2°C Jul | 21.5°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Adelaide | 13.2°C Aug | 22.4°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Newcastle | 18.3°C Aug | 23.5°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Sunshine Coast | 20.6°C Aug | 26.9°C Feb | nothing |
| Wollongong | 18.3°C Aug | 24.3°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Mandurah | 17.8°C Sep | 22.7°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Mackay | 21.2°C Jul | 28.6°C Jan | nothing |
| Coffs Harbour | 19.8°C Aug | 25.8°C Feb | nothing |
| Bunbury | 16.6°C Aug | 22.5°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Port Macquarie | 20.5°C Aug | 26.4°C Feb | nothing |
| Gladstone | 19.8°C Jul | 27.8°C Jan | nothing |
| Geraldton | 19.4°C Sep | 24.1°C Feb | nothing |
| Albany | 17.7°C Sep | 20.9°C Apr | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Warrnambool | 13.9°C Sep | 18.0°C Feb | 3/2 mm full suit |
| Busselton | 16.8°C Aug | 21.9°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Devonport | 12.4°C Aug | 19.1°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Whyalla | 12.9°C Jul | 23.9°C Feb | nothing |
| Burnie | 12.3°C Aug | 19.1°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Rockingham | 18.2°C Sep | 22.8°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Port Pirie | 12.9°C Jul | 24.0°C Jan | nothing |
Thicknesses above are for swimming. Surfing the same water wants a step more — most of a session is spent sitting still in the wind rather than moving and immersed. Each city page gives both, along with when you need boots, gloves and a hood.
Sea temperature and swimming season in Australia →
Boots below 14°C, gloves below 12°C, a hood below 10°C. Where the numbers come from