There's no excuse for staying dry at the Gold Coast. Whether you like swimming in the ocean, in pools or under waterfalls, there are plenty of options for all swimmers. Check out all the best places to swim when at the Gold Coast here.
South East Queensland is home to several species of the world's most venomous snakes, but they are not often seen, and rarely are people bitten (so much so, that it makes the news when it does happen). Shark attacks are also very rare in the area. Only swim on patrolled beaches, between the flags and you will be fine.
Tallebudgera Creek
This is perfect for those who aren't the biggest fan of waves, with perfectly still water that even unexperienced swimmers can enjoy without trouble. The beach is also patrolled by lifeguards, so it's safe for the whole family to enjoy.
The Gold Coast occassionally gets stingers during the summer months (December to March approximately).
Is it unusual to see sharks off Gold Coast beaches? Not really. Shark expert Daryl McPhee said it was not unusual to see small species, such as whaler sharks, in the summer months. "It's a seasonal thing; we expect to see them," Dr McPhee, an associate professor at Bond University, said.
Surprisingly there have been several reported sightings in the south east – even as far south as the Gold Coast. Presumably those sightings in central Queensland are freshwater crocodiles.
Daytime is the safest time for ocean swimming. Visibility is low in early morning hours and at dusk, and predatory animals in the water tend to move closer to shore at night. What to do during severe weather. If you see an approaching storm, it's best to get out of the water until the storm subsides.
What is the sea temperature on the Gold Coast? In summer the average sea temperature ranges from 25.4 - 27.1°C (77.7 - 80.8°F), and dips in winter to 21.5 - 22.6°C (70.7 - 72.7°F).
Queensland is home to several species of dangerous tropical marine stingers, including the box jellyfish and the Irukandji. Marine stingers are present in tropical Queensland waters all year round but the risk is higher during the marine stinger season (November–May).
Drinking water quality
Our community enjoys some of the highest quality water in Australia.
Surfers Paradise is the poster child - and arguably the most famous Gold Coast beach destination. But the magic comes from venturing further out to experience all the pockets that make up this stunning holiday destination. Ready to uncover your new favourite place to throw down your towel?
Is Gold Coast safe at night? Yes, Gold Coast is generally safe at night. However, as with any city, it is important to take precautions and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking alone at night, and stick to well-lit and populated areas.
Understand your risk
Large islands will also give some protection. More exposed coastal regions in South East Queensland like the Gold Coast and the stretch of coast from Agnes Waters to Bundaberg have a higher risk with a narrower continental shelf and could experience greater wave heights and inundation.
Bondi Beach is considered the safest beach in Australia. It's one of the most popular beaches that has lifesavers patrolling the beach all day. Bondi Beach is considered the safest beach because of the number of patrolled lifeguards for those swimming, you should swim only on patrolled beaches.
Broadbeach has four patrolled safe swimming areas - marked by Lifeguard Towers 27 (Old Burleigh Road at Margaret Avenue) and 28 (Old Burleigh Road at Kurrawa) both patrolled from 8am to 5pm year round, and Towers 29 (Broadbeach Blvd at Australia Ave) and 30 (Broadbeach Blvd at Broadbeach), both patrolled from 8am to ...
Water temperatures are still high enough to swim (25.2°C / 77.3°F) and it is generally less rainy than the summer months. Winter on the Gold Coast is generally sunny and dry with average temperatures between 12.5 - 21.5°C (54.5 - 70.7°F).
In winter the water temperature can be anywhere from 22C to 25C which means it's often warmer in the ocean than out. Winter swimming and sunbathing is totally a thing on the Gold Coast, especially if there's no wind.
These areas all have varying water temperatures. The quick answer to which side of Australia has warmer waters is the Northern coast in the Northern Territory with temperatures lingering around 28 to 32 degrees Celcius all year round. However, not all areas in the Northern Territory are safe for swimming.
The ocean, lakes, and rivers are obviously not chlorinated, so there's always the potential for them to contain contaminant elements that can cause infections and rashes in humans. The sea contains salt, of course, as well as bacteria and billions of tiny organisms, so a shower after a dip in the ocean is essential.
Read the beach safety signs at the entrance to the beach. Once on the beach, look for beach warning flags, often posted on or near a lifeguard's stand. A green flag means water conditions are safe and other colors mean conditions are not safe. These flags are there to protect you.
Gold Coast sees bright sunshine for nearly 300 days every year; however, the best time to visit the Gold Coast is between May and October. The warm weather is ideal for beach activities and boat tours. End of January and most of February is the time when humidity is high, and the region sees a lot of rainfall.
Crocodiles have been known to be as far south as the Mary River in Gympie. This is only about 167km from Brisbane and only 52km from the Great Sandy National Park. More astonishingly, this is a whopping 449km away from the northern points of Queensland where they are typically found.
Swimming. Make sure you swim between the red and yellow flags which indicate that the beach is patrolled. Surfers Paradise Beach has 6 patrolled lifeguard towers: Wharf Road – patrolled between 8am and 5pm every day all year round.