When does Bunbury need sun protection?

Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Bunbury that is typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.

Does Bunbury need sun protection in winter?

Not every day. Midwinter middays in Bunbury often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of Western Australia) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.

Does the water make UV worse in Bunbury?

It can. Sand and water reflect ultraviolet, so skin that is not covered (including under the chin and on the tops of feet) picks up extra dose on top of the direct sun. The live UV index on this page is the sky reading; reflection is on top of that.

UV index in Bunbury today

Two hours south of Perth, Bunbury puts an ocean beach, a sheltered bay and a dolphin-visited inlet inside one small city, under southwest WA's famously clear skies. Those cloudless days mean UV close to Perth's: extreme summer middays and a long protection season.

Live reading · data by Open-Meteo · reference monitoring by ARPANSA

Today and tomorrow in Bunbury

Peak UV, temperature and conditions for Bunbury. Tomorrow’s peak is the number to plan around if you’re heading out in the middle of the day.

Weather conditions right now

Cloud and rain cut heat more than they cut UV. A partly cloudy beach day in Bunbury can still sit at protection levels. Why you burn on cloudy days.

When Bunbury needs sun protection

Sun protection is typically needed from September through April in Bunbury, with cloudless summer days regularly reaching very high to extreme UV.

The threshold, per SunSmart and ARPANSA: whenever UV reaches 3 or above, Slip on covering clothing, Slop on SPF 50+ sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Seek shade and Slide on sunglasses. Read the full sun safety guide.

Where the UV adds up in Bunbury

Long, happy hours outdoors are where exposure quietly accumulates. Local favourites where the five S’s earn their keep:

Back Beach and the surf lifesaving club
Koombana Bay and the Dolphin Discovery Centre
The Mangrove Cove boardwalks
Big Swamp parkland trails

The UV scale at a glance

0–2Low
3–5Moderate
6–7High
8–10Very high
11+Extreme

Local support in Western Australia

Cancer Council WA: West Australian sun-safety campaigns and SunSmart schools.

Frequently asked questions

When does Bunbury need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Bunbury that is typically from September through April, and any other day UV reaches 3. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Bunbury need sun protection in winter?: Not every day. Midwinter middays in Bunbury often sit below UV 3, but clear late-winter days (from August in much of Western Australia) cross the threshold before the weather feels like spring. Check the live index.
Does the water make UV worse in Bunbury?: It can. Sand and water reflect ultraviolet, so skin that is not covered (including under the chin and on the tops of feet) picks up extra dose on top of the direct sun. The live UV index on this page is the sky reading; reflection is on top of that.