Is the Moreton Bay rough? What to expect on the crossing
Rarely, but it depends on the wind. Wikipedia describes the bay's waters as relatively calm, being sheltered from large swells by Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island. The Bureau of Meteorology warns that maximum waves can be twice the forecast height.
Crossing the Moreton Bay this week? Dizzout is drug-free sound therapy you can start in your seat on the crossing, with relief in about 90 seconds.Starts in your browser · works with any headphones
Stop seasickness. Get your personalized Dizzout plan. Paid subscription for full access.
On your phone? Scan to start there.
Bay · Brisbane, Australia · Reputation among passengers: mixed: commonly reported as uncomfortable in the wrong conditions.
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
Roughness summarises typical reported conditions for this crossing, not a forecast for any given sailing.
Shallow bay behind sand islands, wind chop
In the Nausea Index table of the 121 sea crossings we cover, the Moreton Bay is rated manageable, one of 81 in that band, with 40 rated higher. Full table: the roughest sea crossings, ranked.
Key facts
- The Moreton Bay is a bay, and passenger reports place it in the moderate roughness band.
- The mechanism behind that reputation: Shallow bay behind sand islands, wind chop.
- Conditions are reported roughest in January, September, October, November and December.
- The calmest months are usually April, May, June and July.
Why does the Moreton Bay get rough?
Moreton Bay extends about 125 km from Caloundra almost to Surfers Paradise, is 35 km across at its widest point and is generally shallow and sandy. Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island shelter it from large swells. The Bureau of Meteorology says wind and wave forecasts are averages, that gusts can be 40 per cent stronger than forecast and that maximum waves can be twice the forecast height. Brisbane Airport's records show a mean 3 pm wind speed of 22.0 km/h in November and 14.2 km/h in May and June.
When is the Moreton Bay roughest?
Bureau of Meteorology records at Brisbane Airport (1950 to 2000) put the windiest afternoons in September to January, with a mean 3 pm wind speed of 20.5 to 22.0 km/h, and the lightest in May to July at 14.2 to 15.1 km/h. Cape Moreton Lighthouse, on the ocean side of Moreton Island, is windiest in February and March and lightest in July and August. No wave record for the bay itself was found, so these months follow wind speed rather than measured waves.
| Roughest water in Jan | Roughest water in Feb | Roughest water in Mar | Roughest water in Apr | Roughest water in May | Roughest water in Jun | Roughest water in Jul | Roughest water in Aug | Roughest water in Sep | Roughest water in Oct | Roughest water in Nov | Roughest water in Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rough | Mixed | Mixed | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Mixed | Rough | Rough | Rough | Rough |
Typical seasonal pattern, not a forecast. Any month can deliver a calm crossing or a bad one. Check the marine forecast for your sailing date. Select a month to see every sea and ferry crossing ranked for it.
Where to be on board
Front to back
- Bow (front)Avoid
- MidshipBest
- Stern (aft)OK
The crossing: 25 to 90 minutes
Roughest stretch: Open water in the middle of the bay
Stay low and near the middle of the vessel, and look at the horizon.
Get your read
A few quick questions about you, then your trip. Nothing is saved or sent.
Step 1: about you
How you usually react to travel is the single best signal. These come from the validated MSSQ.
Step 2: your trip
Pick the kind of trip you are planning.
Crossing the Moreton Bay? Have Dizzout ready
Stop seasickness
Dizzout is drug-free sound therapy you can start in your seat on the crossing, with relief in about 90 seconds. It plays precisely calibrated audio through any headphones you already own, wired or Bluetooth. Free to download.
Get your personalized Dizzout plan. Paid subscription for full access.
30,000+ travelers in 30+ countries · How we count
On your phone? Scan to start there.
Comparing apps first? See how the motion sickness apps compare
Not travelling yet? Remind me the day before my trip
Know someone who gets motion sick?
Send them the app that helps stop it, drug-free, in about 90 seconds, works with any headphones. Free to download.
The crossings that cross it
| Route | Typical duration | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Brisbane to Moreton Island (Micat) | about 90 minutes | Vehicle ferry from Howard Smith Drive, Port of Brisbane. The operator says a turnaround takes about four hours including loading. |
| Brisbane (Holt Street, Pinkenba) to Tangalooma, Moreton Island | 75 minutes | Tangalooma Island Resort ferries, four services a day in each direction. |
| Cleveland to North Stradbroke Island (Stradbroke Flyer) | about 25 minutes | Passenger ferry, daily, with a free connecting bus in Cleveland. |
What helps on this crossing
- Sail in the morning when you can. At Brisbane Airport the mean 3 pm wind speed in November is 22.0 km/h, nearly twice the mean 9 am speed of 11.5 km/h.
- Check the Bureau of Meteorology Moreton Bay forecast the day before. It gives winds and seas for four days and warns that maximum waves can be twice the forecast height.
- Pick the shortest crossing that suits you. The Stradbroke Flyer takes about 25 minutes, Tangalooma 75 minutes and the Micat about 90 minutes.
For the full toolkit see the seasickness guide, or what to do once it has already started. For what the trials actually say about the oldest trick on that list, see the verdict on looking at the horizon. If the rocking follows you ashore afterwards, that is land sickness, which is normal, and it passes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Moreton Bay rough in November?
November is among the windier months: Brisbane Airport's mean 3 pm wind speed is 22.0 km/h, against 11.5 km/h at 9 am. Cape Moreton Lighthouse reads 28.5 km/h at 3 pm.
Is Moreton Bay rough in June?
June is one of the lightest months: the mean 3 pm wind speed is 14.2 km/h at Brisbane Airport and 24.4 km/h at Cape Moreton Lighthouse.
Is Moreton Bay rough in January?
January is windy in the afternoon: the mean 3 pm wind speed is 20.8 km/h at Brisbane Airport and 28.9 km/h at Cape Moreton Lighthouse.
How rough is the Micat crossing?
The operator says the Micat takes about 90 minutes to reach Moreton Island. Wikipedia says the bay is relatively calm because Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island shelter it from large swells. The Bureau of Meteorology warns that maximum waves can be twice the forecast height, so check its Moreton Bay forecast before you sail.
Other crossings
Sources & further reading
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moreton_Bay
- https://www.moretonislandadventures.com.au/micat-moreton-island-ferry/
- https://www.tangalooma.com/location-transport/moreton-island-resort-ferry-schedule
- https://www.flyer.com.au/
- https://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/moreton-bay.shtml
- https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_040223.shtml
- https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_040043.shtml
Sea conditions described here are typical patterns drawn from published marine and operator information as of July 2026, not a forecast: conditions on any given sailing depend on the weather that day, and any month can deliver a calm crossing or a bad one. Route and operator names are trademarks of their respective owners; Dizzout is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Seasickness sensitivity varies from person to person; this page is informational and not medical advice.