Are you heading to the beach in Destin? Before you go, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with these beach safety topics. Whether you’re a seasoned beachgoer or it’s your first time in the sand, it’s important to know how to stay safe while enjoying our beautiful Gulf waters. Here’s your no-stress, easy-to-follow guide to beach flags, rip currents, and smart beach habits.
What Do the Beach Flags Mean?
Did you know Florida has a flag system that let’s you know the water conditions for the day? We recommend checking water conditions before planning your beach day. And remember: Flag colors can change throughout the day. Always check the flag before entering the water — most public beach access points have them posted!
For Gulf conditions and flag updates text “SAFETY” to 31279.
Understanding Rip Currents
Rip currents are fast-moving channels of water that flow away from the shore — and they can be super dangerous if you don’t know how to handle them.
Identify a Rip Current: There are some signs you can look for to spot a rip current.
- Darker color surf, indicating deeper water
- Murky brown water caused by sand stirred up on the bottom
- Smaller unorganized waves, alongside more evenly breaking waves over a sand bar
- Waves breaking further out to sea on both sides of the rip current
- Notify a lifeguard
- Have someone call 911, give accurate landmarks
- Do not enter the water, you too will be caught in the current
- Throw them a flotation device
- Try not to lose sight of the victim
What To Do If You Are Caught in a Rip Current: Remaining calm in scary situations is hard but it may save your life.
- Don’t panic or swim against the current
- Relax, float with the current until it dissipates
- Swim parallel to shore and back in
Beach Safety Tips for Families
Of course, the best way to avoid a rip current is to know the surf conditions before entering the water!
- Set up close to a lifeguard stand when possible
- Have a designated “beach buddy” system for kids
- Stay hydrated and reapply sunscreen often
- Keep a small first-aid kit in your beach bag
- Learn the signs of heat exhaustion (especially for little ones!)
We love helping guests make unforgettable memories — and that starts with staying informed and safe. Check out our Beach Safety page for additional information!