When does Heron Island need sun protection?

Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Heron Island that is every day of the year. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.

Does Heron Island need sun protection in winter?

Usually yes. At 23.4°S, winter middays in Heron 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 Heron 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 Heron Island today

Island Heron Island (QLD) sits at 23.4°S. Open water lifts the UV dose on top of a sky reading that commonly hits 11–13 (extreme) in January. This is tropical Australia: the UV index is extreme on most days and does not take a winter off.

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

Today and tomorrow in Heron Island

Peak UV, temperature and conditions for Heron 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 Heron Island can still sit at protection levels. Why you burn on cloudy days.

When Heron Island needs sun protection

Sun protection is needed in Heron Island every day of the year. 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 Queensland

Cancer Council Queensland: Prevention and support in the state with Australia's highest skin-cancer rates.

Frequently asked questions

When does Heron Island need sun protection?: Whenever the UV index is 3 or above. In Heron Island that is every day of the year. SunSmart and ARPANSA use the same rule Australia-wide.
Does Heron Island need sun protection in winter?: Usually yes. At 23.4°S, winter middays in Heron 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 Heron 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.