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Coffs Harbour weather & best time to visit

Sun, sea & sand

Coffs Harbour at a glance

Best time
Sep – Apr
Warmest month
Jan · 28°
Warmest sea
Feb · 25.6°
Sunshine a year
2,440 h
Rain a year
1,271 mm
Climate
Subtropical
Time zone
UTC+11 / UTC+10
Elevation
6 m

Climate in Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour has a subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters. January is the warmest month with average highs of 28 °C, while July is the coolest at 20 °C. With around 2,440 hours of sunshine a year, Coffs Harbour is sunny; September is the sunniest month with 7.6 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Coffs Harbour

The best time to visit Coffs Harbour is from September to April. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go in April and from October to November. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from April to November. The wettest month is March with 200 mm of precipitation.

Coffs Harbour through the seasons

How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.

Coffs Harbour in spring

Sep – Nov

72

Good

  • 23–26 °C by day
  • Sea 21 °C
  • 7.4 h of sun a day
  • 28 rainy days in all

Coffs Harbour in summer

Dec – Feb

79

Good

  • 27–28 °C by day
  • Sea 25 °C
  • 7.0 h of sun a day
  • 41 rainy days in all

Coffs Harbour in autumn

Mar – May

71

Good

  • 22–27 °C by day
  • Sea 24 °C
  • 6.1 h of sun a day
  • 37 rainy days in all

Coffs Harbour in winter

Jun – Aug

47

Fair

  • 20–21 °C by day
  • Sea 21 °C
  • 6.3 h of sun a day
  • 20 rainy days in all

Which month for what?

Beach & swimming

Apr, Oct – Nov

Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry

Sightseeing & hiking

Apr – Nov

15–28 °C and not too much rain

Find your perfect month

Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Coffs Harbour for you.

Swimming in the sea
Sunshine
Little rain

Your best months: December – February

Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.

Your holiday weather, at a glance

Weather in October

Weather in October

74

Holiday weather in October

Good

Best time to visit: September – April

Good forBeach & swimmingSightseeing & walks

A typical day in October

  1. Morning, 08:00: about 18°
  2. Midday, 13:00: about 24°
  3. Afternoon, 16:00: about 24°
  4. Evening, 20:00: about 20°
  5. Night, 23:00: about 17°

06:1018:56

Pleasant evenings; a light layer can help.

Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.

Light for photos in October

Golden hour
Morning 05:55–06:42 · evening 18:24–19:11
Blue hour
Morning 05:45–05:55 · evening 19:11–19:21

Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.

October in Coffs Harbour compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs rise from about 24° at the start of the month to 25° at the end. The sea warms from 21° to 22°. The days get 0.9 h longer.

Early or late October?
October1 Oct31 Oct
Daytime high24°25°
Night-time low13°16°
Sea21°22°
Daylight12.4 h13.2 h

What is the weather like in Coffs Harbour in October?

In October, Coffs Harbour is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 21.1 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 91 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

More details for October

Daylight
12 h 47 min06:10 – 18:56
UV index
10 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days
2 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind
17 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover
45 %on averageAll months
Hot days
2 days30 °C or moreAll months
Time zone
UTC+11offset from UTC

How the score comes together

  • Temperatureweight 35 %92 %
  • Seaweight 25 %59 %
  • Sunshineweight 20 %75 %
  • Few rainy daysweight 20 %61 %

Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.

What to pack in October

  • Swimwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses & sun hat
  • A jumper for the evenings
  • Rain jacket or umbrella

Compare two months in Coffs Harbour

Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.

vs

January has the better holiday weather in Coffs Harbour: score 80 against 74. In January, days are 3 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 4 °C warmer in January. January has 4 more rainy days.

October vs January, Coffs Harbour
MonthOctoberJanuary
Holiday weather score7480better
Daytime high25°28°
Night-time low14°20°
Sea21.1°24.8°
Sunshine7.5 h7.2 h
Rainy days10better14
Rainfall91 mmbetter156 mm
Muggy days2better23

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Coffs Harbour month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

80January28° · Sea 25° · 7.2 h

In January, Coffs Harbour is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 24.8 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 156 mm in total. On about 7 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in January
77February28° · Sea 26° · 6.4 h

In February, Coffs Harbour is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 25.6 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 176 mm. On about 5 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is a good month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in February
72March27° · Sea 26° · 6.0 h

In March, Coffs Harbour is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 25.5 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 200 mm. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in March
77April25° · Sea 25° · 6.2 h

In April, Coffs Harbour is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 24.5 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 95 mm in total. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in April
63May22° · Sea 23° · 6.0 h

In May, Coffs Harbour is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 23.1 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 87 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in May
46June20° · Sea 22° · 5.7 h

In June, Coffs Harbour is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 21.6 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 5.7 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 81 mm. All in all, June is a so-so month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in June
43July20° · Sea 20° · 6.2 h

In July, Coffs Harbour is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. The sea averages 20.3 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 44 mm. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in July
52August21° · Sea 20° · 7.0 h

In August, Coffs Harbour is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 19.9 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 52 mm. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in August
67September23° · Sea 20° · 7.6 h

In September, Coffs Harbour is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 20.2 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7.6 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 51 mm. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in September
74October25° · Sea 21° · 7.5 h

In October, Coffs Harbour is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 21.1 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 91 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in October
76November26° · Sea 22° · 7.0 h

In November, Coffs Harbour is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 22.3 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 123 mm in total. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in November
80December27° · Sea 24° · 7.3 h

In December, Coffs Harbour is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 23.5 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 115 mm in total. On about 5 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is an excellent month for a holiday in Coffs Harbour.

Coffs Harbour in December

Climate in detail

Climate through the year

Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.

Best time to visit

Nights and sleep in Coffs Harbour

How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.

  • Cool 8–15°
  • Pleasant 15–20°
  • Warm 20–24°
  • muggy month (15+ muggy days)

CoolOctober: nights around 14°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening. Muggy on about 2 days (dew point 18 °C or more).

The coolest nights are in July (8°), the warmest in January (20°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from January to February; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from March to April and from November to December. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 101 days a year, mostly from December to March.

Temperatures through the year

Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.

OctoberDay 25°Night 14°Sea 21°
DayNightSea
MonthScoreDayNightSeaSunRain daysRain mm
JanuaryJan8028°20°24.8°7.2 h14156
FebruaryFeb7728°20°25.6°6.4 h14176
MarchMar7227°18°25.5°6.0 h16200
AprilApr7725°15°24.5°6.2 h1295
MayMay6322°12°23.1°6.0 h987
JuneJun4620°10°21.6°5.7 h881
JulyJul4320°8°20.3°6.2 h644
AugustAug5221°9°19.9°7.0 h652
SeptemberSep6723°12°20.2°7.6 h651
OctoberOct7425°14°21.1°7.5 h1091
NovemberNov7626°17°22.3°7.0 h12123
DecemberDec8027°19°23.5°7.3 h13115

Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences

30.30° S, 153.11° E · 6 m · Australia/Sydney

Swimming calendar

Sea temperature in Coffs Harbour

Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.

Sea in October21.1°Crefreshing

8 in 10 years: 20.5 – 21.7 °C

Swimming season: all year except Aug

  • cold
  • fresh
  • refreshing
  • pleasant
  • warm
  • very warm
OctoberMean sea temperature 21.1°8 in 10 years 20.5° – 21.7°
20°
Mean sea temperature8 in 10 years20 °C – comfortable for swimming

The sea temperature in Coffs Harbour ranges from 19.9 °C in August to 25.6 °C in February. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) all year round except in August.

The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in February, while the air already peaks in January. From May to July the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 24.7 and 26.4 °C.

Sea temperature by month
MonthAverageCool yearWarm yearFeels
JanuaryJan24.8°23.9°25.5°pleasant
FebruaryFeb25.6°24.7°26.4°pleasant
MarchMar25.5°24.9°26.4°pleasant
AprilApr24.5°24.0°24.9°pleasant
MayMay23.1°22.3°23.6°pleasant
JuneJun21.6°20.8°22.2°refreshing
JulyJul20.3°19.7°21.0°refreshing
AugustAug19.9°19.3°20.4°fresh
SeptemberSep20.2°19.4°20.8°refreshing
OctoberOct21.1°20.5°21.7°refreshing
NovemberNov22.3°21.6°23.3°refreshing
DecemberDec23.5°22.9°24.3°pleasant
Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Coffs Harbour

Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
2,440 hours
Sunniest month
Sep · 7.6 h a day
Least sunshine
Jun · 5.7 h a day
OctoberSunshine 7.5 hDaylight 12.8 hShare of daylight 59 %
SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 7.5 of 12.8 hours of daylight in Coffs Harbour, 59 % of the daylight hours.

Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.

Rain

Rain in Coffs Harbour: rainy days and rainfall

A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
1,271 mm on 125 days
Wettest month
Mar · 200 mm
Driest month
Jul · 44 mm
OctoberRainy days 10Rainfall 91 mm

In October, Coffs Harbour has about 10 rainy days with 91 mm of rain in total.

Sun protection

UV index in Coffs Harbour

How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.

Clear-sky UV in October
10 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.

The sun is strongest in December (UV 11).

Minutes until sunburn in October

Very fair skin
about 15 min
Fair skin
about 15 min
Light brown skin
about 25 min
Olive skin
about 30 min

Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.

Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.

Wind & clouds

Wind and clouds in Coffs Harbour

How breezy and how cloudy Coffs Harbour is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.

Wind

Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.

Year average
15 km/h · gentle breeze
Windiest month
Nov · 17 km/h
Calmest month
May · 14 km/h
OctoberWind 17 km/hBeaufort 3
20
WindBeaufort 4

In October, the wind in Coffs Harbour typically peaks at 17 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.

Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting

The daily breeze rarely reaches Beaufort 4 (20 km/h), so wind sports depend on single windy days.

Clouds

Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.

Year average
46 % · variable cloud
Clearest month
Aug · 29 %
Cloudiest month
Feb · 56 %
OctoberCloud cover 45 %Sunshine 7.5 h

In October, cloud covers on average 45 % of the sky over Coffs Harbour: variable cloud, with about 7.5 hours of sunshine a day.

Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.

Heat & humidity

Heat and humidity in Coffs Harbour

How often the day gets hot in Coffs Harbour (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.

Hot days a year
26 days
Hottest month
Jan · 28 °C
Hot months
none

Heat calendar

  • pleasant
  • some hot or muggy days
  • often muggy
  • often hot
  • hot and muggy
OctoberHot days (30 °C+) 2Daytime high 25 °C

In October, Coffs Harbour has about 2 hot days, with an average daytime high of 25 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.

Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year

Planning a trip to Coffs Harbour

Weather for your travel dates

Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.

Coffs Harbour in the school holidays

How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.

Coffs Harbour has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 80) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 49).

  • Easter holidays

    Mar – Apr

    76

    Good

    • 25 °C by day
    • Sea 25 °C
    • 6.1 h of sun a day
    • 13 rainy days a month
  • May half-term

    May – Jun

    60

    Good

    • 22 °C by day
    • Sea 23 °C
    • 5.9 h of sun a day
    • 9 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • Summer holidays

    Jul – Aug

    49

    Fair

    • 20 °C by day
    • Sea 20 °C
    • 6.7 h of sun a day
    • 6 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • October half-term

    Oct

    74

    Good

    • 25 °C by day
    • Sea 21 °C
    • 7.5 h of sun a day
    • 10 rainy days a month

    Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks

  • Christmas holidays

    Dec – Jan

    80

    ExcellentBest holidays

    • 28 °C by day
    • Sea 24 °C
    • 7.3 h of sun a day
    • 13 rainy days a month

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Getting there

Flying from

Nonstop flight
about 20 h 45 min
Distance
16,810 km
Time zone
UTC+11
Jet lag
About 10 days (10 h east)

Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.

Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.

Compare & alternatives

Compare

Coffs Harbour compared

Put Coffs Harbour side by side with another destination.

Nearby:
Compare with home:

Coffs Harbour vs Grafton

In October Grafton has the better holiday weather (score 93 vs 74). During the day Grafton is 3 °C warmer than Coffs Harbour. Grafton gets one more hour of sunshine a day.

Coffs Harbour vs Grafton, in October
in OctoberCoffs HarbourGrafton
Holiday weather score7493
Daytime high25°28°
Sea21°no sea nearby
Sunshine8 h9 h
Rainy days109
Best timeSep – AprApr – Oct

Through the year

OctoberCoffs Harbour 25°Grafton 28°
Coffs HarbourGrafton
Go to Grafton
Ranking

Australia in October: the best places

In October, Coffs Harbour ranks 30 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.

  1. Toowoomba26°94
  2. 2Dubbo26°93
  3. 3Mudgee24°92
  4. 4Tamworth25°91
  5. 5Brisbane26°89
  6. 6Sunshine Coast26°23°89
  7. 7Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise)27°23°88
  8. 8Mullumbimby26°87
  9. 30Coffs HarbourThis page25°21°74
All destinations: Australia

Near Coffs Harbour

Other destinations close by.

Places with a climate like Coffs Harbour

Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Coffs Harbour's – good alternatives.

  1. 76 % similar89Sunshine CoastAustralia26°23°Best time: Jun – Nov
  2. 76 % similar77East LondonSouth Africa23°21°Best time: Apr – Sep
  3. 76 % similar87SydneyAustralia24°19°Best time: all year except Feb
  4. 74 % similar85Byron BayAustralia25°22°Best time: Sep – Apr

Frequently asked questions about Coffs Harbour

When is the best time to visit Coffs Harbour?

The best time to visit Coffs Harbour is from September to April. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.

How warm is the sea in Coffs Harbour?

The sea temperature in Coffs Harbour ranges from 19.9 °C in August to 25.6 °C in February. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) all year round except in August.

Can you swim in Coffs Harbour in October?

Yes. In October the sea averages 21.1 °C – refreshing for a swim.

What is the warmest month in Coffs Harbour?

January is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C and nights around 20 °C. July is the coolest month at 20 °C.

When does it rain most in Coffs Harbour?

The wettest month is March with 200 mm of precipitation. The driest month is July with 44 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Coffs Harbour get?

Coffs Harbour gets around 2,440 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is September with 7.6 hours a day; in June there are 5.7 hours a day.

What time zone is Coffs Harbour in?

Coffs Harbour is on UTC+11 in January and UTC+10 in July.

How long is the flight from London to Coffs Harbour?

A nonstop flight from London to Coffs Harbour takes about 20 h 45 min, for a straight-line distance of about 16,810 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

Which school holidays are best for Coffs Harbour?

Coffs Harbour has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 80) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 49). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 76, May half-term 60, summer holidays 49, October half-term 74, Christmas holidays 80.