Best SUP spots in Australia
The best SUP spots in Australia over the whole year.
Updated October 2026 · weather data 2022–2026
In short
- Best time for SUP in Australia: January–March. Then water around 25°C (no wetsuit).
- Top picks: Airlie Beach – Whitsunday Islands, Noosa – Noosa River & Safety Bay – Bent Street.
- For beginners: Airlie Beach – Whitsunday Islands, Noosa – Noosa River & Safety Bay – Bent Street.
Airlie Beach – Whitsunday IslandsQueensland · best January–April, October–December10 good monthsBeginner-friendly · 28°C water in season, no wetsuit · ✈ HTI 26 km2
Noosa – Noosa RiverQueensland · best January–April, December8 good monthsBeginner-friendly · 26°C water in season, no wetsuit · ✈ MCY 22 km3
Safety Bay – Bent StreetWestern Australia · best January–March, December4 good monthsBeginner-friendly · 23°C water in season, shorty · ✈ PER 46 km4
Sydney Harbour – Rose BayNew South Wales · best January–April4 good monthsBeginner-friendly · 23°C water in season, shorty · ✈ SYD 12 km5
Melbourne – St KildaVictoria · best January–March0 good monthsBeginner-friendly · 21°C water in season, 3/2 wetsuit · ✈ MEB 17 kmThe best SUP spots in Australia, ranked by water temperature through the year, warm water and the number of good months, from years of weather data. Water: average sea surface temperature.
Month by month in Australia
| Month | Water | Wetsuit | Air |
|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 25°C | no wetsuit | 28°C |
| FebruaryFeb | 25°C | no wetsuit | 28°C |
| MarchMar | 24°C | shorty | 27°C |
| AprilApr | 23°C | shorty | 24°C |
| MayMay | 21°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 21°C |
| JuneJun | 19°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 19°C |
| JulyJul | 18°C | 4/3 wetsuit | 18°C |
| AugustAug | 18°C | 4/3 wetsuit | 19°C |
| SeptemberSep | 19°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 21°C |
| OctoberOct | 20°C | 3/2 wetsuit | 23°C |
| NovemberNov | 22°C | shorty | 25°C |
| DecemberDec | 24°C | shorty | 27°C |
Averages of the 5 spots on this page. Best months highlighted. Air: average daytime high.
Questions
When is the best time for SUP in Australia?
Best time for SUP in Australia: January–March. Then water around 25°C (no wetsuit).
What wetsuit do I need in Australia?
It depends on the month: about 25°C water in February (no wetsuit) and about 18°C in July (4/3 wetsuit).
Is Australia good for beginners?
Yes, these spots suit beginners: Airlie Beach – Whitsunday Islands, Noosa – Noosa River, Safety Bay – Bent Street & Sydney Harbour – Rose Bay.
Which airport is closest?
Hamilton Island Airport (HTI), 26 km from Airlie Beach – Whitsunday Islands; Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY), 22 km from Noosa – Noosa River; Perth International Airport (PER), 46 km from Safety Bay – Bent Street.