Health Education

Know Before You Go: The Beach Flag Warning System

  • Newsroom
  • July 19, 2024

For decades, flags have been the go-to method for notifying beachgoers of swimming conditions and hazards. Realizing the importance of using a consistent system at beaches throughout the world, the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) developed a set of guidelines for flag usage in 2004. These guidelines have since been endorsed and implemented by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA).

Although the different flag colors have the same meaning no matter where you see them displayed, it's important to remember that the conditions they describe may be different from one beach to the next. For example, what might be thought of as a "medium" hazard at one beach might be considered a "high" hazard at another. Check the guidelines used by local authorities to be sure you fully understand the beach conditions where you are. Also, keep in mind some beach areas might not have flags on display. If that is the case, don't assume conditions are safe; instead, check with local authorities for updates.

According to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Alabama has 50 miles of beach along the Gulf Coast, and an additional 70 miles of bay beaches where the waters are classified for swimming. The Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area is among the state's most popular tourist destinations, and they use the beach flag warning system to keep visitor and residents informed of current conditions. Their tourism department created the following video as a guide to the system.

 

The Flags

The official flag definitions as recognized by the USLA are as follows:

  • Yellow: Medium hazard. Moderate surf and/or currents are present. Weak swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. For others, enhanced care and caution should be exercised.
  • Red: High hazard. Rough conditions such as strong surf and/or currents are present. All swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. Those entering the water should take great care.
  • Double Red: Water is closed to public use.
  • Purple: Marine pests, such as jellyfish, stingrays, or other marine life which can cause minor injuries are present in the water. This flag is not intended to indicate the presence of sharks.
  • Red/Yellow (halved red over yellow): The area is protected by lifeguards. These flags may be used in pairs spaced apart to indicate a designated area or zone along a beach or waterfront that is most closely supervised or patrolled by qualified lifeguards, and where swimming and/or body surfing is permitted. These flags may be used singly to indicate that swimming is permitted in front of the area where the flag is flown and that the area is under the supervision of a qualified lifeguard.
  • Red/White (quartered): Emergency evacuation. Swimmers should leave the water because of an emergency. Emergencies may include, but are not limited to, dangerous marine creatures are present, such as a shark; the water is contaminated; or lifeguards need to perform a search of the water area --- for example, a search for a lost child. (The double red flag may alternatively be appropriate.)
  • Black/White (quartered): These flags may be used in pairs spaced apart to indicate a designated area or zone along a beach or waterfront that is used by those with surfboards and other non-powered watercraft.
  • Yellow with Central Black Ball: Surfboards and other non-powered watercraft are prohibited.
  • Orange Windsock: This cone-shaped device is used to indicate the direction of offshore winds and to show that it is unsafe for inflatable objects to be used in the water.

In some areas, a green flag is use to indicate calm or mild conditions. The ILS does not include a green flag in its guidelines because it suggests that conditions are completely safe. In the view of the ILS, there is always a potential hazard present when entering the ocean.

Visit ADPH Coastal Conditions for information on advisories along the Alabama coast. When traveling to other states and their beaches, check their local tourism, weather, government or municipal website for advisories.

The National Weather Service offers a number of resources regarding surf conditions, rip currents, and overall beach safety, including the following:

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