Hi there!
The ocean has a lot of dangers that are not to be underestimated!
You can’t always see what’s going on underwater from the shore.
There are many beaches that put up beach flags as a way to let you know about the underwater dangers.
The beach flags serve as an easy way to give the public warning about any hazards in the water that there may be.
The beach flags are different colors based on the dangers in the ocean that you can’t see.
This allows you to take additional precautions when swimming at the beach.
Most of the colors of the beach flags are based on the risk of surf and currents.
To put it simply, you can think of beach flags like traffic lights:
These beach flag colors are important to know too.
And then what about the purple beach flag?!
The purple beach flag is about another underwater danger that’s out there.
What does a purple flag on the beach mean?
According to the beach signs, a purple flag at the beach means that there is a risk for dangerous marine life.
Here is what a purple flag at the beach means according to Florida State Parks:
Purple flag means that marine pests are present.
The specific dangerous marine life may depend on the beach you’re at, but this can include stinging marine life like portuguese man o war, jellyfish, and stingrays.
What does it mean when there are purple and yellow flags? Or purple and green flags?
The purple flag is there to indicate that there are dangerous marine life.
One of the other big reasons for beach flags is to let you know about the risk of surf and currents, and you will know that risk level based on whether you see a green flag, yellow flag, or red flag.
So you will probably never see a purple flag on its own.
You will see the purple flag with another color.
If you see yellow and purple flags, it means that there is a moderate risk for surf and currents AND there is dangerous marine life in the water.
If you see green and purple flags, it means that there is a low risk for surf and currents AND there is dangerous marine life in the water.
Can you swim with a purple flag at the beach?
If you see a purple flag at the beach, this generally means that you are allowed to go swimming, but you might want to proceed with caution!
👆 A purple flag at the beach means that there is a risk that you’ll encounter dangerous marine life.
Although not a “stinging” dangerous marine life, of course sharks are another type of dangerous marine life.
If a shark is seen from the beach, there’s a good chance that in that case the beach will be closed.
While shark attacks are rare, they do happen.
Rip currents
The ocean is powerful!
While the purple flag is not about the risk of rip currents, you will want to pay attention to the color of the flag you see with the purple flag to know the risk of rip currents.
To be dramatic, you can DIE because of rip currents.
There is a story of tourists from Mississippi who were in the water at Panama City Beach in Florida when they were swept into the water by a rip current.
It is reported that they were only knee deep in the water when it happened. One of them died. Read the story.
In that tragic story, the risk for rip currents was high.
But rip currents can exist whether the beach flag warning shows a high risk, a moderate risk, or even a low risk.
So know before you go!
According to the National Ocean Service, rip currents account for 80% of beach rescues.
Before heading off to the beach, talk with your group about what to do if you find yourself in a rip current!
In short:
- Don’t fight the current.
- Swim parallel to shore.
Learn about rip currents from the National Ocean Service (NOAA).
👆 What the Emerald Coast of Florida wants you to know about rip currents before you go swimming in Destin and any other beach! Screenshot the above and send to the people you’ll be going to the beach with! Or just send this whole article!
If the beach you are going to has a beach flag, take extra caution based on the color of the beach flag!
Even if the flag indicates generally “calm conditions,” it’s still the ocean, so take care!
And that’s a bit about a purple beach flag!
More for your beach vacation:
- Do you know what a double red flag means?
- The perfect swimming shirt for your beach vacation
- Do you need water shoes?
- The cheapo way to take underwater pictures
- Why a personal swim buoy float is perfect for ocean swimming
- What to pack for a Florida beach vacation (or any beach!)
- What to pack for snorkeling in the Florida Keys (or any snorkeling spot!)
STAY SAFE AT THE BEACH IF THERE’S A PURPLE BEACH FLAG!
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