Moreton Bay Marine Forecast
Updated Tue Jul 28, 2026
Two GO days followed by a choppy Thursday
Forecast for Jul 28–30, 2026
📋 Two GO days followed by a choppy Thursday
Tuesday is the best day of the forecast with near-calm winds and 0.8–1.0 foot seas at comfortable 6–7 second periods from the east-southeast. Conditions are excellent all day with high forecast confidence.
Wednesday offers a great morning window with light winds and 0.8–0.9 foot seas at 6–7 second periods from the east. Afternoon southwest winds build to 8–9 knots with choppier 1.4–1.7 foot seas — plan to be back by early afternoon for the smoothest ride.
Thursday is a CAUTION day with steep wind-wave chop building through the morning. Seas reach 2.0–2.4 feet at short 3-second periods from the southeast with 9–10 knot south-southeast winds — uncomfortable for most recreational vessels. If heading out, depart before 6:00 AM AEST to catch the calmest window.
This three-day window opens with two excellent days on Tuesday and Wednesday, featuring very light winds and small, well-organised swell. Thursday brings a step up in conditions with steeper, short-period wind-wave chop developing through the day, earning a CAUTION rating. Overall the forecast is reliable with high model confidence across all three days, though wave period shows some model spread on Tuesday and Thursday.
Recent days at Moreton Bay
About Moreton Bay
Moreton Bay is Brisbane's sheltered water, screened from the Coral Sea by Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands. Inside the bay the fetch is limited and the swell is largely stopped; outside the islands, through the bar, it is open ocean. Those are two different boating days, and the difference is worth respecting.
The outlook below updates every morning from the latest marine model data, and each day gets an honest GO, CAUTION, or NO-GO call — the same AI rating used in the SeaLegs AI app.
Reading conditions on Moreton Bay
The bay's working wind is the southeasterly, and because the bay is shallow it responds quickly — a fresh southeast builds a short, steep chop far out of proportion to the wave height you would expect from the same wind in deep water. Short-period chop is uncomfortable and tiring rather than dangerous for most boats, but it decides whether a day is enjoyable.
Through the warmer months, watch the afternoon. Southeast Queensland summers bring afternoon and evening thunderstorms that can arrive fast and lift wind sharply for a short period, and a calm morning is no guarantee of a calm run home. If your day involves crossing out through the bar into open water, weight swell as heavily as wind — the shelter ends where the islands do.
Moreton Bay forecast FAQ
How accurate is this Moreton Bay marine forecast?
The outlook is generated from the latest marine model data and rated GO, CAUTION, or NO-GO by the same AI engine used in the SeaLegs AI app. It's a planning aid, not a substitute for the Bureau of Meteorology's coastal waters forecast and marine warnings — always check those before heading out.
Does this cover outside the bay as well?
This forecast describes Moreton Bay itself. Conditions outside Moreton and North Stradbroke Islands are usually rougher, because the islands stop most of the ocean swell — if you're crossing the bar, plan for the open water, not the bay.
How often is this forecast updated?
The page is rebuilt every morning from the latest model run, and the SpotCast card refreshes live in your browser. The date stamp above the outlook shows when it was last generated.
What do GO, CAUTION, and NO-GO mean?
GO means conditions are favourable for most recreational boats. CAUTION means marginal — manageable for experienced crews in capable vessels, but check the wind and sea timing closely. NO-GO means conditions are hazardous for small craft and the trip is best postponed.
More offshore forecasts
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