Safety Comes First
30A Beach Girls are delighted that you are visiting 30A and the Gulf Coast. We want you to have a safe and memorable time while you’re here exploring all of the wonders that the Gulf Coast and 30A have to offer. Our beaches are some of the most beautiful in all the world and we want our guests to enjoy them, but we also want you to be safe. We truly understand your disappointment when the weather and water conditions aren’t favorable because you’ve come all this way to enjoy the ocean! But there are things that can’t be controlled and weather and the ocean are a few of them. One way to stay safe is to know the flags warning of the ocean conditions. We want to make sure all our guests know the rules and warnings before entering the water. They are posted at the entrance of all the public beaches and many of the private beaches too. Lifeguards aren’t at every beach, so please be aware of that.
If you are at a beach that doesn’t have a flag present, please text “Safety” to 31279 for the current flag warnings. Here’s what these very important flags mean:
KNOW THE BEACH FLAGS
- Double Red Flags – Water Closed to Public – Do not go in the water. Entering could result in a $500 fine and criminal charges
- Single Red Flag – High Hazard – There is high surf and dangerous strong currents
- Yellow Flag – Medium Hazard – Moderate Surf
- Green Flag – Low Hazard
- Purple Flag – Caution there is marine life present (jellyfish, stingrays etc)
KNOW THE SIGNS OF RIP CURRENTS:
Beachgoers typically look for calm areas of water to enter the ocean and rip currents can be deceiving. Rip currents look calmer from the shore as waves break alongside them.
- A calmer path of water on either side of rougher/waves
- Water may be darker or cloudy from sand getting stirred up
- Waves that break further out and on both sides of the rip current
IF YOU GET CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT:
- Try not to panic
- Don’t try to swim against the current
- Float with the current, which is scary because it will take you further from shore
- Once the current is no longer pulling you, swim parallel to the shore and then back towards it.
IF YOU SEE SOMEONE IN DISTRESS:
- If a lifeguard is present, alert them
- If there is no lifeguard, call 911
- Do not try and rescue them, but keep an eye on them
There are some additional rules that you should be aware of as well as being good stewards of the shore.
- Leave only footprints in the sand
- Stay off the dunes and on the paths
- No glass containers are allowed on the beach
- Fires, Pets and Vehicles require a permit
- No solicitation
- No metal shovels are allowed
- If holes are dug, please fill them in before you leave to prevent injury to humans and turtles
- Littering, nudity and loud noise is not allowed
30A Beach Girls are here to help you have a wonderful experience at the beach and are happy to assist in any way. Let us know if you have any questions, 850-849-7455 or our company text line, 850-660-7911. Safe travels and enjoy the beach!