When does Dirk Hartog Island need sun protection?

Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Dirk Hartog Island that is most of the year, including many winter middays. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.

Does Dirk Hartog Island need sun protection in winter?

Usually yes. At 25.8°S, winter middays in Dirk Hartog Island still commonly reach UV 3 or higher, the SunSmart threshold for Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. Check today's live reading on this page before a long lunch outside.

Does the water make UV worse in Dirk Hartog Island?

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 Dirk Hartog Island today

Island Dirk Hartog Island (WA) sits at 25.8°S. Open water lifts the UV dose on top of a sky reading that commonly hits 11–13 (extreme) in January. This is subtropical sun: protection weather for most of the year, with winter middays that still often reach 3 or more.

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

Today and tomorrow in Dirk Hartog Island

Peak UV, temperature and conditions for Dirk Hartog Island. 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 island day in Dirk Hartog Island can still sit at protection levels. Why you burn on cloudy days.

When Dirk Hartog Island needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Dirk Hartog Island most of the year, including many winter middays. With water on more than one side, reflection is the default, not a beach-only problem.

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.

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 Dirk Hartog Island need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Dirk Hartog Island that is most of the year, including many winter middays. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Dirk Hartog Island need sun protection in winter?: Usually yes. At 25.8°S, winter middays in Dirk Hartog Island still commonly reach UV 3 or higher, the SunSmart threshold for Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide. Check today's live reading on this page before a long lunch outside.
Does the water make UV worse in Dirk Hartog Island?: 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.