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Read the flag before you swim

Short answer

Green means low hazard, yellow means moderate surf or currents, red means high hazard, and double red means the water is closed. Purple means dangerous marine life. No flag does not mean safe water. Text PCBFLAGS to 888777 for flag alerts.

What the flags mean

Panama City Beach uses the standard Florida beach warning flags. Look at the nearest flag pole or ask a lifeguard before you go in.

  • Double red

    Water closed to the public. Stay out of the Gulf.

  • Red

    High hazard: high surf and/or strong currents.

  • Yellow

    Medium hazard: moderate surf and/or currents.

  • Green

    Low hazard: calm conditions. Still use caution.

  • Purple

    Dangerous marine life, such as jellyfish or stingrays.

No flag doesn't mean safe water. Text PCBFLAGS to 888777 to get a message when the flags change.

If a rip current pulls you out

A rip current is a narrow channel of water rushing away from the shore. It won't pull you under, but it will tire you out if you fight it.

  1. Stay calm and don't swim straight back against the current.
  2. Swim parallel to the shore until you're out of the pull.
  3. Then swim back to shore at an angle, away from the current.
  4. If you can't, float or tread water, face the shore, wave and yell for help.

Trying to rescue someone? Call 911 and throw them something that floats. Don't swim out after them.

Sharing the beach with sea turtles

From May 1 to October 31, sea turtles crawl up the beach at night to lay eggs, and hatchlings head for the brightest horizon, which should be the moonlit Gulf. Artificial light sends them the wrong way.

  • Turn off porch and balcony lights facing the beach, and close the curtains.
  • Don't use flashlights or phone lights on the beach at night near nesting turtles.
  • Fill in holes and flatten sandcastles before you leave.
  • Stay outside any taped-off nest, and never touch a turtle or hatchling.

Sun, heat and storms

  • White sand reflects sunlight. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and after swimming.
  • Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms. When you hear thunder, get off the beach and out of the water.
  • Shuffle your feet in the shallows to warn stingrays you're coming.

Questions people ask

What does a double red flag mean in Panama City Beach?

The water is closed to the public. Do not go in the Gulf at all, even to wade. Double red flags go up when surf and rip currents are dangerous.

What should I do if I'm caught in a rip current?

Stay calm and don't swim against it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then swim back at an angle. If you can't, float, wave and yell for help.

How do I find out the beach flag color today?

Look at the flag poles along the beach, ask a lifeguard, or text PCBFLAGS to 888777 to get alerts when the flags change.

When is sea turtle nesting season in Panama City Beach?

May 1 to October 31. Keep lights off the beach at night, close beachfront curtains, fill holes, flatten sandcastles and stay clear of marked nests.

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