Last modified: 2024-06-29 by rick wyatt
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You've probably noticed flags flying near the surf on or near lifeguard towers, or even on floats near the shore. They have different patterns of green, yellow, red, white, and sometimes even purple. But do you know what these beach warning flags all mean?
Beach safety flags are mandated by the United States Lifesaving Association and the International Life Saving Federation. They are fairly standardized, but many manufacturer's variants exist, and many add text to the flags attempting to make their messages easier to understand. Knowing the basic colors and patterns is quite important while visiting coastal areas and being aware of the flag types will help you, your friends and family be safer in the surf.
Normally red flags are the most serious of all beach warning flags (with one white Shark Warning exception). Red flags warn swimmers of serious hazards in and around the water. They can warn swimmers that the surf is high or there are dangerous currents, or both. You can still swim if there is a single red flag, but you should use extreme caution and go in the water only if you're a strong swimmer. Every year in the United States there are an estimated 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings - an average of 11 drowning deaths per day. Undertow and currents are dangerous things.
As mentioned earlier, if you see White Shark Danger Flag with a black shark centered it means that a shark is currently near the beach, and beach users must get out of the water. If lifeguards are present, a siren is sounded when the white flag is raised. A similar black flag with a white shark on it warns that currently the conditions for spotting a shark are very poor, but not necessarily that sharks are there, only that they cannot be seen.
Please look at the beach flags below, they are important to understand when you are at the beach, and always listen to the Lifeguards.
Pete Loeser, 25 June 2024
Remember: The absence of Beach Warning Flags does not assure safe water, always use common sense and caution when at the beach.
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Swimming Area with lifeguards present. |
Safe to Swim with calm conditions. |
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Medium Hazard Conditions with moderately dangerous surf and/or currents. |
Dangerous Marine Life Warning Potentially dangerous marine life in the area. |
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No Swimming Recommended Dangerous, high hazard conditions and/or undertows. |
Pollution Warning Dirty unhealthy water or Air. |
image by Pete Loeser,
25 June 2024
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Surfing Area Only No Swimmers Allowed |
No Watercraft or Surfboards Allowed Swimming Area |
image by Pete Loeser,
25 June 2024
based on this photo.
Use extreme caution divers working below and surfacing.
Pete Loeser, 25 June 2014
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If the White Shark Warning Flag is being flown and a lifeguard or lifeguard tower is present, a loud horn will also be blowing to warn swimmers to immediately get out of the water. |
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Get Out of Water! A shark is currently near the beach. |
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Swimming Dangerous Shark has been spotted in nearby waters. |
Shark Caution Warning This area has a history of shark attacks. |
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Shark Spotting Conditions are Good and no sharks have been reported. |
Shark Spotting Conditions are Poor but no sharks have been seen or reported. |
