If you've dipped your toe into the ocean recently and didn't experience that cold water jolt you were bracing yourself for, there's a good reason why.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The NSW east coast is experiencing unusually high water temperatures and those venturing into the deep blue sea are loving the warm embrace.
Cruise and dive operators from the Mid North Coast down to Port Stephens and the Shoalhaven said water temperatures in their areas are all hovering around the low 20's - some up to 24 degrees.
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) meteorologist Jiwon Park said an east Australian current is bringing warmer sea surface temps from the north and pushing them south.
He said some areas in Northern Australia were reporting water temperatures of up to 25 and 26 degrees.
According to the BOM global sea surface temperatures remain substantially above average.
Peter Huettner from Scuba Haven Port Macquarie said the water temperature off the Port Macquarie coast has been sitting on about 23 degrees.
He said the water has not been as clean as it usually is and strong currents tend to bring with them dirty water.
Mr Huettner said this was hampering vision for divers. "We're getting about four metres vision when we usually get anywhere from 10 to 12 metres," he said.
Nathan Andrews from Dive Jervis Bay said temperatures inside the bay were also sitting around 23 degrees.
"Normally this is seasonal and the warm water comes and goes a lot through summer," he said.
"We haven't gone diving outside of the bay for a while but water temps in the bay are sticking to 23/24 degrees on the surface."
He said vision is between 20 and 30 metres.
Frank Future from Imagine Cruises at Nelson Bay in Port Stephens said water temperatures were steady on 22 degrees and visibility is exceptional.
"We were out this morning (Thursday, January 2) doing a swim with dolphins off the coast and visibility was about 15 metres," he said.
"We haven't had a lot of rain - it's been pretty good. The water temp has been about normal for this time of year however sometimes when you get a southerly like we are experiencing today it can push the warm water onshore."
Jayda Rankin from Dive Eden said Dive Eden has had dives every day for the past three weeks and the water temperature has been between 19 to 22 degrees.
"In previous years, it reaches this temperature around February," she said.
"In December last year the water temp was around 14 to 18 degrees.
"Warm water at this time of year often results in low visibility due to algae.
"However the current warm water is very clear.
"We hope the water stays clear for the next open water course on January 11," she said.
Donna Sharpe
Twice weekly
Voice of Real Australia
Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over.
