- By Florida law, divers (and snorkelers) must have a red and white striped diver down flag to identify their approximate location while underwater.
- To minimize the risks of drowning or serious injury, the Florida Coastal Management Program worked with the Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association, the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) and the International Life Saving Federation to develop a uniform warning flag program for use by Florida’s beachfront communities. Learn more at https://floridadep.gov/rcp/fcmp/content/beach-warning-flag-program
Assume no lifeguards are on duty and always swim at your own risk.
These flags indicate the swimming conditions at the beach:
- Double red flags mean absolutely no swimming because of high winds and undertow currents
- Red flag means high surf and/or strong currents
- Yellow flag means swim with caution and stay close to shore
- Green flag means that the waters are safe
- Purple flag means that marine pests are present.
Here is a good article if you’re new to snorkeling: Beginner’s Guide to Snorkeling South Florida