Stay Safe During Memorial Day Weekend

With large crowds and heavy traffic expected on Pensacola Beach for Memorial Day weekend, Escambia County offers beachgoers a few simple tips for a safe, fun weekend: 

Water Safety

• Check before you go and follow the posted beach condition flag warnings. Watch our lifeguards explain the flag system on Pensacola Beach. Beach conditions can be checked at PensacolaBeachLifeguards.com and on the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Facebook page.

• Regardless of your swimming level, never swim alone, and always swim near a lifeguard.
• If in doubt, don't go out.
• Know how to escape from a rip current. Watch our rip current video and learn how to break the grip of the rip, which can pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea. 
• Be sure to wear and reapply sunscreen often and drink plenty of water. Remember that alcohol, sun and swimming do not mix.  

Traffic

• Be patient and leave early. Traffic will be heavy, and parking will be limited. 
• Get in the fast lane to the beach with SunPass® and the reduced-price Pensacola Beach Annual Pass. Watch this video for everything you need to know about SunPass, or visit MyEscambia.com/PensacolaBeachPass. 
• If parking is full in the core areas, take advantage of the free Pensacola Beach trolleys offered by the Santa Rosa Island Authority. East and west parking lots will be serviced by trolleys and will take beachgoers to and from Casino Beach. For a map of trolley stops and a live trolley tracker, click here.

• Remember to "leave no trace" and keep Pensacola Beach sea turtle-friendly. Properly dispose of trash, fill in any holes in the sand and remove belongings from the beach at the end of the day. This includes not leaving any personal property unattended on the sandy gulf beach from sunset until sunrise like umbrellas, tents, beach toys and chairs. To view the Leave No Trace ordinance, click here.
• Glass containers are not allowed on the beach.
• Dogs other than service animals are not permitted on any of the beaches except in the two designated dog parks. East: Lot E on Via De Luna Drive, beach walkover 28B. West: Lot B on Fort Pickens Road, beach walkover 21E.