Boating safety

Learn about the 5 vital weather safety checks for boating, yachting or sailing

On this page

Boating weather safety checks

Weather, wind, wave and tidal conditions change how your boat or yacht will handle. This can affect the comfort and safety of your voyage.

Conditions on lakes, rivers and the ocean can change quickly.

Check the weather before you go and stay tuned to marine radio during your trip. Be prepared to change your plans for safer conditions.

Before you go boating, sailing or yachting, check:

  • marine warnings
  • weather forecast
  • wind forecast
  • wave forecast
  • tide times.

Learn more about boating safety with the Australia New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group.

Graphic of 5 weather icons on plain grey background. Text reads – Going boating? Do these 5 vital weather safety checks. 1. Marine warnings. 2. Changing weather. 3. Wind conditions. 4. Wave conditions. 5. Tide times. Know your weather. Know your risk.
Enlarge image

Before you go boating check the forecast warnings, weather, wind, waves and tides

Marine warnings

We issue wind and wave warnings for marine areas when dangerous conditions are expected.

Check our warnings for weather conditions that may affect coastal, local and inland waters close to your activity. For example:

  • thunderstorms
  • floods
  • tropical cyclones.

Learn more about marine warnings on our Marine weather hazards and warnings page.

Weather forecast

Check the forecast for weather conditions that may affect your boating trip. For example:

  • reduced visibility from fog or rain
  • risks to your safety and comfort from thunderstorms, lightning or squall conditions
  • severe weather can bring strong winds and squalls, huge waves and unpredictable currents.

The weather can change quickly. While out on the water, watch and listen for signs the weather may be changing, such as:

  • sudden increase in wind speed or change in wind direction
  • thunder, lightning or increasing cloud cover on the horizon
  • waves and swells increasing in size or the water gets choppy.

If conditions start to change, dangerous weather may be approaching. Decide if you need to take precautions or head back to shore.

Photograph of 4 monohull sailing yachts racing in front of a tree-studded hilly background on a sunny day.

Yachts sailing on Brisbane Water, Gosford, New South Wales

Wind forecast

Check if the wind speed and direction will change over the course of your trip. Be familiar with wind speeds in knots and know the limits of your vessel.

The local and coastal waters forecasts include marine wind warnings when these are issued. Check for mention of thunderstorms or squalls, as this may indicate strong winds could develop faster.

Decide before you leave:

  • if the wind speeds are safe for your type of vessel – generally, winds stronger than 15 knots are not suitable for small vessels
  • what you will do if the wind speed increases while you're out – return to port or take precautions.

Forecasts show average wind speeds. Wind gusts can be 40% stronger than the average wind speed and even stronger during a storm.

Learn more about wind warnings on our Marine weather hazards and warnings page.

Wave, seas and swell forecast

Know what wave conditions are forecast, as waves can make your boating trip dangerous and uncomfortable.

Be prepared to experience waves up to twice the forecast height. Hazardous surf can arrive even when weather and ocean conditions appear calm.

Swell waves are the longer, more regular waves, generated by distant weather systems. Swell waves start to break when they reach shallow water.

Sea waves are generated by local winds and produce short interval, messy waves. These are often referred to as choppy conditions and can be hazardous for smaller vessels. Tidal currents also affect sea waves.

Learn more about waves, swell and chop in our Marine knowledge centre.

Tide and sea level

Changing tides can create dangerous conditions by influencing the behaviour of waves, currents, and water levels.

Knowing when high and low tide will occur is important for boats crossing river entrances and sandbars.

An outgoing tidal flow or low tide can cause waves to become steeper than usual. Your boat could become difficult to handle, tip over, or be swept onto rocks or reefs.

The changing tide over the day can cover rock platforms or reefs at high tide, whilst exposing them and creating a hazard at low tide. Tidal currents can impede your travel in estuaries, channels and between islands.

Key things to know about tides:

  • Water levels rise quickest around mid tide.
  • Rising tide brings surging waves.
  • Tide times change from day to day and in different locations.
  • The weather can change the predicted tide levels.
  • When the tidal current and wind direction are in opposite directions, waves can become steeper and closer together.

Learn more about tides and sea level in our Marine knowledge centre.

You may also be interested in