Brisbane High & Low Tide Today

Geographic Overview

Redcliffe Peninsula sits approximately 35 km north of Brisbane's CBD, projecting into Moreton Bay — a large, sheltered embayment protected from the open Pacific Ocean by Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island to the east. The western shore of Moreton Bay, where Redcliffe is located, faces relatively calm water; the bay's width at this point is around 30 km. Redcliffe's beaches — Suttons Beach, Redcliffe Beach, and Scarborough Beach — are estuarine-influenced, with fine sand and gentle wave action. The water is generally murky due to river sediment from the Brisbane River and other catchments draining into the bay.

Tidal Characteristics

Moreton Bay has a semidiurnal tidal pattern with a spring range of roughly 1.5 to 2.0 m. Because Redcliffe is inside the sheltered bay, tidal effects are more significant relative to wave action than on exposed ocean beaches — the tide is often the dominant factor controlling water depth and beach width. Low tides can expose significant areas of sandflats and seagrass meadows, which are ecologically important feeding grounds for dugongs and shorebirds. Fishermen track tides closely as they affect bait fish movement through the bay.

Best Times to Visit

Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) offer the most comfortable visiting conditions — warm temperatures (22–27 °C), calm bay water, and manageable UV exposure. Summer (December to February) is hot and humid with water temperatures reaching 26–28 °C; afternoon thunderstorms are frequent. Winter (June to August) is mild, with water temperatures dropping to around 18–20 °C; the bay is calm and the light is excellent for birdwatching. Redcliffe does not have a significant surf season given its sheltered position.

Safety Tips

Swimming conditions at Redcliffe are generally calmer than ocean beaches, but water clarity is limited year-round — be cautious of submerged obstacles near jetties and rocky outcrops. Stingrays rest on sandy shallows, particularly around low tide; shuffle your feet when wading to avoid stepping on them. Irukandji jellyfish have been documented in Moreton Bay in summer, though the risk is lower than in northern Queensland. Check for any current fishing activity near jetties and piers before swimming, as fishing lines and hooks pose a hazard. Queensland UV levels are extreme year-round.

What Makes It Special

Moreton Bay is one of the largest estuarine systems in Australia and supports a significant dugong population — Redcliffe is a realistic place to see dugongs feeding on seagrass beds from the foreshore or from a kayak. The Redcliffe Jetty area is a classic Queensland fishing spot for bream, whiting, flathead, and tailor. The Redcliffe Lagoon (a fenced ocean pool) provides safe, calm swimming for families. Pelicans and cormorants are ever-present, and the bay hosts significant migratory shorebird populations during the Austral summer.