Beach safety
Flags, currents, jellyfish and sun: what you should know before going into the water.
Key points
- Green: swimming allowed. Yellow: caution. Red: no swimming.
- If no flag is flying, the beach usually has no lifeguard service at that moment.
- In a rip current, do not swim against it: float and swim out parallel to the shore.
- With a high UV index, stay in the shade in the middle of the day and wear sunscreen.
What the flags mean
In Spain, beach flags are regulated by the regions and town councils in their lifesaving plans, but the three-colour code is the same all along the coast. Lifeguards raise them according to the state of the sea and other risks.
Beach flags in Spain
- GreenCalm sea, no apparent danger. Swimming allowed.
- YellowCaution: waves around 1.5 m or moderate currents. Swim near the shore.
- RedDanger: waves over 2 m or strong currents. Swimming banned.
Some municipal plans also use flags with pictograms to warn of a specific hazard, such as jellyfish, and red pennants at the water's edge marking an area where swimming is not allowed.
Rip currents: how to get out
Rip currents are channels of water flowing back out to sea that can carry away even strong swimmers. You can spot them as a strip of darker water or with fewer breaking waves, sometimes with foam or sand moving away from the shore.
- Do not fight itSwimming straight to the shore exhausts you in minutes.
- Float and breatheStay calm: the current does not pull you under, it pulls you out.
- Swim parallel to the shoreUntil you are out of the channel, then come back in with the waves.
- Ask for helpRaise an arm and shout to alert the lifeguard.
Jellyfish: what to do if you are stung
- Rinse with seawaterNever with fresh water, which can trigger the remaining stinging cells.
- Do not rubNot with sand or a towel. Remove any remains with tweezers or gloves.
- Wrapped coldApply something cold wrapped in a cloth for a few minutes to ease the pain.
- See the lifeguardEspecially if there is difficulty breathing, dizziness or a large sting.
The sun and the UV index
The ultraviolet (UV) index measures how strong the sun's skin-damaging radiation is. The World Health Organization recommends protection from an index of 3; on Spanish beaches in summer it often exceeds 8. You will find it in the forecast for each beach in this guide.
UV index and sun protection
In an emergency, call 112
If you see someone in trouble in the water, alert the lifeguard or call 112. Do not jump in unless you are trained: throw them something that floats.
Frequently asked questions
What does a yellow flag mean on a Spanish beach?
Caution: swimming is allowed, but there are waves or moderate currents. Stay close to the shore and within the supervised area.
Can I swim when the red flag is flying?
No. The red flag bans swimming because of danger (big waves, strong currents or other risks). Swimming under a red flag puts your life and the lifeguards' lives at risk and may be fined under local by-laws.
What should I do if a current pulls me out?
Do not swim against it. Stay calm, float, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and raise your arm to ask for help.